BBC Olympics An accessibility case study Al Duggin and Henny Swan CSUN 2013
Nov 30, 2014
BBC OlympicsAn accessibility case study
Al Duggin and Henny Swan
CSUN 2013
BBC Olympics Introduction
> About the Project> Accessibility at the BBC> Challenges> Desktop and Tablet> Video> Mobile> Lessons Learnt
About the Project
BBC Olympics About the Project
The first truly digital Olympics. Never miss a moment
The most ambitious and comprehensive BBC digital project to dateLive and catch-up video at the heart of the BBC’s online coverage24 high definition live streams2500 hours of video coverageDelivered to mobile, tablet, PC, and Connected TVThe first truly digital Olympics where the public would be able to never miss a moment
“Our aspiration was that just as the Coronation did for TV in 1953, the Olympics would do for digital in 2012Phil Fearnley, General Manager, News & Knowledge at BBC
BBC Olympics About the Project
Built around the sports domain
AthleteUsain Bolt
EventMen’s 100m
SportAthletics
VenueOlympic Stadium
CountryJamaica
Interconnected nodesAthlete - e.g Usain BoltCountry - e.g JamaicaSport - e.g AthleticsEvent - e.g Men’s 100mVenue - Olympic Stadium
BBC Olympics About the Project
> 10, 000 Athlete> 205 Countries> 36 Sports> 304 Medal Winning Events> 30 Venues
A page per domain item
... all interconnected
Page composed of components, including:Facts and FiguresNewsVideo MedalsScheduleResults
BBC Olympics About the Project
Lots of other components
Make the experience as rich, engaging and interactive as possible.
Top trump style comparison components for countries athletesTwitter modulesComponents to promote live video streamsCarousel of to promote athletes and results
Each page type had an index page.Countries.
Athletes - and the ability to filter by sport, event
Venues
Sports
An event index for each sport
2 versions of a fully comprehensive schedule - a grid and a list view - providing alternative ways to get to the schedule information that you wanted.
The schedule grid view provided an easily scannable visual interface
The schedule list view provided a more accessible text interface
The schedule allowed users to dig in and browse by sport
or by day
We also had Interactive medal tables. That allowed users to browser medals by country
medal by sport
And medals by athlete
These pages were dynamically updated in real time using data from the Olympics Broadcasting Service.
Other features included the interactive video player to watch live and on-demand video
A results section, providing by a 3rd Party, that contained details of every heat of every event.
And of course the sport news sections with content created by journalists.
This was an existing part of the website that we just added branding to.
Article pages
Video clips
Image galleries
Live event commentary
Lots of this was also available on mobile
And all video and medals were available on connected TV
Tens of thousands of pages ...
possibly hundreds....
BBC Olympics About the Project
Usage and Stats
> 37 million UK browsers> 66% UK online adult population> 57m global browses> 111m video requests across all platforms
> 9.2 million mobile browsers> 1.9m downloads of our Olympics smartphone app> 12m requests for video from mobile devices> 34% of all daily browsing by mobile
We knew the website was going to be popular - but I don’t think anyone imagined it would be quite the success it was.
Accessibility at the BBC
BBC Olympics Accessibility
Accessibility at the BBC
> BBC Trust and Charter> Lead by example> License fee
“The BBC is paid for by everyone and therefore must be accessible to everyone otherwise the BBC is not the BBC.Micheal Grade, Director General BBC, 2004-6
BBC Olympics Accessibility
Challenges
BBC Olympics Challenges
Accessibility consultant challenges ...
> Size - web, mobile, video> Standards and guidelines> Training> Ownership and responsibility
BBC Olympics Challenges
Developer challenges ...
> Size of project> Immovable deadline> 17 day event> Huge audience> High Profile> Real-time data> Up front design> Lots of javascript> Multiple teams
Huge amount of effort going into to making it available on many platforms.
On the desktop we wanted to make sure it was accessible to all - irrespective of people’s device or ability. First project I’ve worked on where this was made a clear priority right from the very top. Easier said than done.
Desktop and Tablet
BBC Olympics Desktop and Tablet
The Development approach
> Accessibile from the start> Speak to specialists early> Training - screen readers, WAI-ARIA> Research best practices> Set up a support network> Front-end developers create UI before integration> Brainstorm multiple solutions / Prototype / Iterate> Feedback issues early> Agile build and test> Component library> Progressive Enhancement
Screen reader training with AbilityNetAria, javascript and HTML5 training with The Paciello Group - based around upcoming componentsSupport forum for a month - to answer questions
Work with milestones: test early, test often
One of the first things we did when was analyse the designs looking for common styles and patterns that could be abstracted out into reusable code.
This helps you build things faster.
Also helps a consistency of implementation which is better for users
The other thing we did was build each component in such a way that it could be dropped into any page.Much quicker to build a site from reusable components. Having a library also promotes reuse and consistency of implementation.
This started as just a static library (HTML and CSS) - but evolved into components that used mock data. This meant we could get components to load different variation of expected data so we could confirm that they worked for all expected scenarios.
This helped hugely with testing. Could point testers to a page and get them to confirm that they worked as expected. Also meant that we could ask Henny to test things as soon as they were built - rather than having to wait for the components to appear on web pages that were being driven by test data.
BBC Olympics Desktop and Tablet
> HTML5 doctype> Lang attribute> Skips links > Unique title> Unique h1> WAI-ARIA landmark roles
Page Templates
BBC Olympics Desktop and Tablet
Open standards and Progressive Enhancement
Content
HTML & WAI-ARIA
CSS
JavaScript & HTML
CSS for Javascript
WAI-ARIA for Javascript
Progressive enhancement uses web technologies in a layered fashion that allows everyone to access the basic content and functionality of a web page
BBC Olympics Desktop and Tablet
> Add content in logical order> Alt text for images that need it> Captions for tables> Full text for abbreviations > Inline img or bg css
Content
Content
HTML & WAI-ARIA
CSS
JavaScript & HTML
CSS for Javascript
WAI-ARIA for Javascript
BBC Olympics Desktop and Tablet
> Add hierarchical heading structure> Use most appropriate elements> Use HTML5 elements with care> Don’t duplicate links> Alt text but don’t duplicate> Links make sense out of context> Code tables correctly> Code forms correctly> ARIA roles & attributes where useful> If visual state make sure it’s also read out> Validate
HTML
Content
HTML & WAI-ARIA
CSS
JavaScript & HTML
CSS for Javascript
WAI-ARIA for Javascript
Semantically structured HTML
BBC Olympics Desktop and Tablet
> Take care with display:none> Focus aswell as hover - no outline:0> Font size +2> Don’t use !important> Implement non-js layout> Check for colour contrast> Check with images off
CSS
Content
HTML & WAI-ARIA
CSS
JavaScript & HTML
CSS for Javascript
WAI-ARIA for Javascript
Take care to not implement barriers with CSS
BBC Olympics Desktop and Tablet
> Feature detection> Valid JS generated HTML> Update state labels - open/close> Hijax - http before ajax> Update screenreader virtual buffer> Keyboard access to all conent> No keyboard traps
JavaScript
Content
HTML & WAI-ARIA
CSS
JavaScript & HTML
CSS for Javascript
WAI-ARIA for Javascript
BBC Olympics Desktop and Tablet
> Contextual CSS body=”js”> Prevent flicker as js loads
CSS for Javascript
Content
HTML & WAI-ARIA
CSS
JavaScript & HTML
CSS for Javascript
WAI-ARIA for Javascript
BBC Olympics Desktop and Tablet
> Keep users informed> Manage focus> Implement keyboard controls> Provide hidden instructions> Use WAI-ARIA attributes where
appropriate
WAI-ARIA for Javascript
Content
HTML & WAI-ARIA
CSS
JavaScript & HTML
CSS for Javascript
WAI-ARIA for Javascript
Keep users informed - loading, new content
Treat aria as an enhancement - not widespread support or familiarity by users
Sometimes not possible to have a non-js version- schedule module- favourites tray
That’s fine - you need to be pragmatic!
Interactive Medal Tables* Built to work without javascript. * deliver something quickly. * real pages that you can bookmark and email * if there is an error it will still work* Logical Content order - go to any page without javascript and the content is in logical order.* Most appropriate markup - th for countries, caption and summary* Identify which content is selected in content layer as well as visual layer.* Alt for medal images* Visible active state for keyboard users* Keyboard short cuts* Inform users that content is loading* Users taken to loaded content* Use Browser API so back button still works
BBC Olympics Desktop and Tablet
Issues we fixed...
BBC Olympics Desktop and Tablet
Fixed: Colour contrast
Problem - Design/CSSFailed colour contrast test
Fix:Changed colours
BBC Olympics Desktop and Tablet
Fixed: Over complicated markup
PROBLEM: HTMLAural clutter - headings inside lists
FIX:Refactor HTML
BBC Olympics Desktop and Tablet
Fixed: Broken navigation when resized
Problem - Design/CSSFailed colour contrast test
Fix:Changed colours
BBC Olympics Desktop and Tablet
Fixed: Favourite Button
Problem: HTML generated by JSspan used instead of div
Fix:Feedback issue - got them to use a button
BBC Olympics Desktop and Tablet
Fixed: Keyboard inaccessible video clips
Problem: JS generating span instead of linkUnable to play video with keyboard as span used instead of button
Fix:Added in a link to control video
BBC Olympics Desktop and Tablet
Fixed: Unexpected keyboard controls
Problem: JSkeyboard events attached to arrow keys
Fix:Removed keyboard event
BBC Olympics Desktop and Tablet
Fixed: Keyboard trap
Problem: JSInfinite scroll resulted in keyboard trap
BBC Olympics Desktop and Tablet
Issues that got released...
BBC Olympics Desktop and Tablet
Compromise: Colour only medals
Problem: medal communicated by colour onlyIf colour blind won’t know what medal
Why not fixed:Design didn’t want to change
BBC Olympics Desktop and Tablet
Compromise: Country page content order
Problem: Design/logical content orderDesign meant not in logical order
Fix:Designers didn’t want to change design
BBC Olympics Desktop and Tablet
Compromise: Indistinguishable Links
Problem: Design/CSSCan’t see links until you roll over them
Why not fixed:Changed by another team due to request from design. Ran out of time to chase up.
BBC Olympics Desktop and Tablet
Compromise: Info graphics
<img src=”rivals.jpg” alt=”Bolt graphic” />
Problem: adequate alternate text not providedLots of information in graphic - editorial didn’t include adequate descriptive alt text
BBC Olympics Desktop and Tablet
Compromise: Auto Suggest not read out
Problem: JavascriptSuggested athletes not read out
Why not fixed:Not part of stable release of jquery ui. Ran out of time.
BBC Olympics Desktop and Tablet
Compromise: Auto refresh
Problem: JSCan’t turn off auto-refreshCompletely unusable by screen reader userUse of non-semantic markup
Why not fixed:Built by an3rd Party. Fed back issues but they didn’t have time/inclination to fix
Video
BBC Olympics Video
The Interactive Media Player
> BBC Sole rights holder> 24 live streams> Flash player> Fully immersive ‘lean back’ experience
Here’s the player in full screen. Standard player controls but also additional functionality that hadn’t been seen in say, iPlayer, before.
Pause and rewind live streams
Jump to key moments
Switch between live streams, with video still playing in the background
Switch between live streams, with video still playing in the background
When in full screen you could access alternative video streamsFully immersive
BBC Olympics Video
Approach …
> Tender & Contract> BBC Standards & Guidelines> Requirements & User Acceptance Criteria> In house testing> User testing with disabled users
Tender – referenced BBCS&G, Flash Media player and screen reader support GuidelinesBBC S&G – not enough, needed to be project specific which lead toIn depth requirements & UACAlso commissioned user testing
150 page document outlining tab order, labels, tooltips and logic of the video player for sighted keyboard only users and screen reader users
BBC Olympics Video
Requirements …
> No autoplay> No background image interference> No flashing> Contrast> Text size
Autoplay loved by some ZoomText users but a showstopper for Jaws users with no sight
“Noun: An act of selecting or making a decision when faced with two or more possibilities.Oxford English Dictionary
Choice
BBC Olympics Video
However accessible the IVP we felt we couldn’t predict if people would like it, or find it easy to use – e.g screen reader users, people with cognitive issuesWe wanteed to offer a choice of player rather than ghetto-ise disabled users
BBC Olympics Video
An additional player, not an alternative player
Tender – referenced BBCS&G, Flash Media player and screen reader support GuidelinesBBC S&G – not enough, needed to be project specific which lead toIn depth requirements & UACAlso commissioned user testingZoomText Windows XP
HTML player – Flash playback, HTML controlsDrawback – no controls in full screen
User testing – NB ‘Accessible version’ and ‘Default version’ was used-Labels not well understood-Participants didn’t think ‘Accessible version’ was for them
h2
IVP option links were not easily found – Added as H2 to ‘Choose how you watch
Accessible tooltips:<span>Watch with extra features in the page</span>Visible on mouseover and focus
h2
User testing – NB ‘Accessible version’ and ‘Default version’ was used-Labels not well understood-Participants didn’t think ‘Accessible version’ was for them
For this audience, it is better to describe the functionality of alternative versions rather than the people it is for
Accessible tooltips:<span>Watch with extra features in the page</span>Visible on mouseover and focus
h2
Help link further described what the differences were
Icons were well received – big and clear.Toyed with separate Play/Pause – easier for users with cognitive problems but we couldn’t find a suitable selected state that in itself wasn’t confusing so we settled for 1.
Icons were well received – big and clear.We did go through various iterations to see what would be best however
Escape to access controlsSet focus to Play/Pause
Icons were well received – big and clear.Toyed with separate Play/Pause – easier for users with cognitive problems but we couldn’t find a suitable selected state that in itself wasn’t confusing so we settled for 1.
BBC Olympics Video
Access services …
> Live ‘enriched commentary’ for the Opening Ceremony
> Audio only on TV> Audio and video via the web
> Subtitles for BBC One, Two and Three> No controls over the other streams
BBC Olympics Video
Compromises …
> IVP not as accessible as planned> Immovable deadline> Decided not to promote it as accessible
In user testing the majority of testers preferred the default version and ability to use full screen. Most were not expecting extras and were happy to sit back and watch the video.
Mobile
BBC Olympics Access services
We offered …
> Mobile website> Apps: Android 2.2 + and iOS 5 +
> Offline storage >Personalisation
> Shortcut on Blackberry> Live and catch up video
BBC Olympics Access services
The challenge …
> Expertise & experience> Standards & guidelines> Testing & evaluation
BBC Olympics Access services
BBC Mobile Accessibility Guidelines …
> Technology agnostic standards and guidelines> HTML, iOS and Android techniques> Evaluation criteria
BBC Olympics Access services
Approach …
> Use standard not custom components> Progressive enhancement> Follow platform specific guidelines
BBC Olympics Access services
Structure …
> H1 – H6> Landmarks > Data tables
BBC Olympics Access services
Alternatives …
> HTML: alt> Android: contentDescription > iOS:
> UIAccessibilityLabel> UIAccessibilityTrait> UIAccessibilityHint
BBC Olympics Access services
Changes of state i.e.
> Tab panel> Open / close
Announce changes ...
> Update the alternative> Visible change
BBC Olympics Access services
Compromises …
> Pinch zoom> Assets – arrows> 3rd party content
“This is extremely accessible with VoiceOver, and there is plenty to indicate this is by design rather than chance.Applevis
BBC Sports App
BBC Olympics Video
However accessible the IVP we felt we couldn’t predict if people would like it, or find it easy to use – e.g screen reader users, people with cognitive issuesWe wanteed to offer a choice of player rather than ghetto-ise disabled users
Lessons Learnt
BBC Olympics Access services
Lessons Learnt
> Progressive Enhancement is key> Easy to introduce issues at all levels> 100% accessible not realistic - need to prioritise
> Documentation> Sign off at UX> A variety of testing
You don’t need to compromise design for accessibility
Alistair Dugginhttp://alistairduggin.co.uk/@dugboticus
Henny Swanhttp://iheni.com/@iheni