ABOUT US

1EdTech is the leading member-led non-profit edtech partnership accelerating the digital transformation of learning

The 1EdTech community is guided by a set of educational leadership strategies essential to improving learning experiences and outcomes in K-12, higher education, and lifelong learning

1EdTech community-led workstreams help create a secure, scalable, and best-in-class digital learning ecosystem to serve the needs of all learners

1EdTech standards support seamless interoperability, lower TCO, and greater choice.

The TrustEd Apps Directory is the official listing of products and applications reviewed, vetted, or certified by 1EdTech

1EdTech hosts the annual Learning Impact Conference and other engagement opportunities throughout the year to advance the leadership and ideas that shape the future of digital learning

TrustEd Apps Profile for D2L Brightspace

Product: D2L Brightspace
Vetted by Sambhavi Chandrashekar, Global Accessibility Lead at D2L Corporation on 2024-04-15

Accessibility Rubric Results: Optimized

Rubric Area Expectations
General Optimized Advancing Emerging
User Notes GEN1 - How are changes to key policies managed?
ANSWER: Notification is provided to the user in advance and a history of policy revisions are available
User Notes:
Policies may be changed as and when necessary to accommodate changes in practices and/or legal regulations and legislation. Changes are published on the D2L legal webpage https://www.d2l.com/legal/. If and when material changes are made to policies which may impact customers or the services, customers are notified accordingly. A history of policy revisions is available.
Policies may be changed as and when necessary to accommodate changes in practices and/or legal regulations and legislation. Changes are published on the D2L legal webpage https://www.d2l.com/legal/. If and when material changes are made to policies which may impact customers or the services, customers are notified accordingly. A history of policy revisions is available.
Answer Meets Expectations Unselected Option: Unselected Option:
Information and Documentation Optimized Advancing Emerging
User Notes D1 - Does the supplier have a publicly available statement regarding accessibility?
ANSWER: Supplier has a comprehensive statement that includes identification of a standard and associated conformance documentation. Statement may also include information about accessibility development and conformance testing conducted by the supplier, including compatibility with assistive technology.
User Notes:

D2L's public statement regarding accessibility is available at Accessibility Conformance. It includes information about conformance with international accessibility standards and compliance with accessibility regulations for our products.
D2L's public statement regarding accessibility is available at Accessibility Conformance. It includes information about conformance with international accessibility standards and compliance with accessibility regulations for our products.
Answer Meets Expectations Unselected Option: Unselected Option:
User Notes D2 - Does the supplier provide accessibility conformance documentation?
ANSWER: Accessibility conformance report (a completed VPAT) has comprehensive detail about how the criteria are met. May also provide information about alternative access options if needed.
User Notes:
D2L provides a robust Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) with comprehensive information on how the requirements are met. We also have an annual audit with defined actions to ensure that we respond urgently to the findings as part of our product process. Our auditor-certified ACR as of January 1, 2024, reports conformance with WCAG 2.2 AAA. It follows ITI's VPAT version 2.5 International template and includes sections on WCAG, US Section 508, and EU EN 301 549.
D2L provides a robust Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) with comprehensive information on how the requirements are met. We also have an annual audit with defined actions to ensure that we respond urgently to the findings as part of our product process. Our auditor-certified ACR as of January 1, 2024, reports conformance with WCAG 2.2 AAA. It follows ITI's VPAT version 2.5 International template and includes sections on WCAG, US Section 508, and EU EN 301 549.
Answer Meets Expectations Unselected Option: Unselected Option:
User Notes D3 - Are the documents shared by the supplier accessible?
ANSWER: Fully accessible documents.
User Notes:
 Yes.
 Yes.
Answer Meets Expectations Unselected Option: Unselected Option:
User Notes D4 - How long ago was the accessibility conformance documentation completed and/or updated?
ANSWER: Less than 12 months prior to the completion date of the rubric.
User Notes:
Brightspace Accessibility Conformance Report posted on D2L's Accessibility Standards page reports conformance as of March 31, 2025.
Brightspace Accessibility Conformance Report posted on D2L's Accessibility Standards page reports conformance as of March 31, 2025.
Answer Meets Expectations Unselected Option: Unselected Option:
User Notes D5 - Does the supplier have a documented roadmap for accessibility improvements and enhancements?
ANSWER: Supplier communicates (verbally or in writing) about planned accessibility improvements and enhancements and includes projected timelines, contingencies and updates as available.
User Notes:
An accessibility remediation roadmap is created for each Accessibility Conformance Report and provided to customers upon request.
An accessibility remediation roadmap is created for each Accessibility Conformance Report and provided to customers upon request.
Answer Meets Expectations Unselected Option: Unselected Option:
Procurement Process and Communication Optimized Advancing Emerging
User Notes P1 - Does the supplier provide a demonstration of accessibility (features) as part of the sales process?
ANSWER: Led by accessibility and/or technical staff; deep dive that includes discussion of conformance testing (including significant detail) and compatibility with commonly used assistive technology.
User Notes:
Yes. Our sales organization is trained to include details about the accessibility of our platform and related products as a seamless part of the product demo.
Yes. Our sales organization is trained to include details about the accessibility of our platform and related products as a seamless part of the product demo.
Answer Meets Expectations Unselected Option: Unselected Option:
User Notes P2 - How are accessibility gaps identified?
ANSWER: There is a comprehensive strategy employed by the supplier to include qualified accessibility professionals, native users of assistive technology, third party accessibility consultants and others to reflect a variety of experiences.
User Notes:
D2L Brightspace is thoroughly audited annually by a competent third-party auditor, who submits a comprehensive report. During the product development process, users of assistive technology from D2L and our accessibility partner test for accessibility at every stage. We have a method for receiving accessibility feedback from our customers and triaging it to identify gaps. Issues identified from these multiple processes are sent to the respective teams for action.
D2L Brightspace is thoroughly audited annually by a competent third-party auditor, who submits a comprehensive report. During the product development process, users of assistive technology from D2L and our accessibility partner test for accessibility at every stage. We have a method for receiving accessibility feedback from our customers and triaging it to identify gaps. Issues identified from these multiple processes are sent to the respective teams for action.
Answer Meets Expectations Unselected Option: Unselected Option:
User Notes P3 - How does the supplier communicate known accessibility gaps to the customer?
ANSWER: Proactive, intentional communication (including social media as applicable) with the customer when gaps are identified.
User Notes:
A periodically refreshed list of known issues and fixed issues is published on D2L’s Community website—visible to customers—which includes accessibility issues.
A periodically refreshed list of known issues and fixed issues is published on D2L’s Community website—visible to customers—which includes accessibility issues.
Answer Meets Expectations Unselected Option: Unselected Option:
User Notes P4 - Does the supplier have a process for customers to report accessibility specific concerns and issues?
ANSWER: Supplier provides a dedicated accessibility related customer and/or technical support mechanism. Timelines for responses by the accessibility related support are provided.
User Notes:
Yes. D2L has a well-defined, multi-path support process for customers to report issues, which allows accessibility issues to be mentioned as such.
Yes. D2L has a well-defined, multi-path support process for customers to report issues, which allows accessibility issues to be mentioned as such.
Answer Meets Expectations Unselected Option: Unselected Option:
Accessibility Conformance Optimized Advancing Emerging
User Notes C01 - How has accessibility been included in the design of the product?
ANSWER: Accessibility was integrated into all stages of the design and development, including consultation with native assistive technology users.
User Notes:
Accessibility activities are identified for Product Managers, UX Researchers, Designers, Developers, and QA testers throughout D2L’s product development process. Accessibility is thus implemented at every stage of the process and not merely at the end.
Accessibility activities are identified for Product Managers, UX Researchers, Designers, Developers, and QA testers throughout D2L’s product development process. Accessibility is thus implemented at every stage of the process and not merely at the end.
Answer Meets Expectations Unselected Option: Unselected Option:
User Notes C02 - Does the product claim conformance with one or more industry standards?
ANSWER: Conforms to international standards beyond minimal thresholds (e.g., AA or AAA specification of W3C Accessibility Guidelines).
User Notes:
Yes. The product claims conformance with WCAG 2.2 Level AAA, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, 1973, and EU EN 301 549. The product is audited annually by a third-party auditor to verify conformance.
Yes. The product claims conformance with WCAG 2.2 Level AAA, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, 1973, and EU EN 301 549. The product is audited annually by a third-party auditor to verify conformance.
Answer Meets Expectations Unselected Option: Unselected Option:
User Notes C03 - Does the supplier integrate accessibility testing into the product management process, including manual and automated testing?
ANSWER: Full accessibility evaluations, including automatic and manual assessments, are conducted.
User Notes:
We conduct inclusive UX research with assistive technology users and perform automated and manual accessibility testing at different stages of the product development process, including compatibility testing with assistive technology users.
We conduct inclusive UX research with assistive technology users and perform automated and manual accessibility testing at different stages of the product development process, including compatibility testing with assistive technology users.
Answer Meets Expectations Unselected Option: Unselected Option:
User Notes C04 - Does the supplier ensure that subcontractors conform to the same accessibility standards of the supplier?
ANSWER: Subcontractor work is evaluated and vetted at regular intervals to ensure accuracy of work product.
User Notes:
D2L holds subcontractors to the same accessibility standards as itself.
D2L holds subcontractors to the same accessibility standards as itself.
Answer Meets Expectations Unselected Option: Unselected Option:
User Notes C05 - Does the supplier provide training to team members regarding accessibility?
ANSWER: General accessibility training is provided on a periodic basis.
User Notes:
All D2Lers are provided general accessibility training as part of the annual compliance training schedule. Teams have accessibility inputs during onboarding.
All D2Lers are provided general accessibility training as part of the annual compliance training schedule. Teams have accessibility inputs during onboarding.
Unselected Option: Answer Partially Meets Expectations Unselected Option:
User Notes C06 - Were native or full-time assistive technology users included in the evaluation of the product?
ANSWER: Intentional efforts to have native/FT assistive technology users integrated into the evaluation and QA strategy and processes.
User Notes:
D2L’s Senior Accessibility Strategist, a native screen reader user, guides teams in ensuring product accessibility. We partner with a firm to provide all team members the opportunity to recruit native users of screen readers, screen magnifiers, speech input tools, and switch access tools, at every stage of product development, as needed.
D2L’s Senior Accessibility Strategist, a native screen reader user, guides teams in ensuring product accessibility. We partner with a firm to provide all team members the opportunity to recruit native users of screen readers, screen magnifiers, speech input tools, and switch access tools, at every stage of product development, as needed.
Answer Meets Expectations Unselected Option: Unselected Option:
C07 - Were evaluations of the product consistent with the information provided by the supplier?
ANSWER: Consistent findings with supplier provided information but may include some minor accessibility issues.
 Answer Meets Expectations Unselected Option: Unselected Option:
C08 - What follow-up occurred after accessibility issues were discovered?
ANSWER: Proactive communication about the issues, plans and projected timelines to address them.
 Answer Meets Expectations Unselected Option: Unselected Option:
C09 - Did the supplier seek client input on prioritization of accessibility improvements?
ANSWER: Input was sought prior to development of remediation plans.
 Answer Meets Expectations Unselected Option: Unselected Option:
User Notes C10 - How has the supplier remediated accessibility issues as it works with the clients?
ANSWER: There have been multiple or high priority accessibility improvements to the product over the past 12 months, including regular and/or ongoing communication with clients.
User Notes:
Throughout our Product Development Process, accessibility activities are identified for Product Managers, Developers, Designers, UX Researchers, and QA testers. We conduct inclusive UX research with users of assistive technology within the company and through our accessibility partner (https://makeitfable.com/), and we do automated and manual testing for accessibility, including compatibility testing with users of assistive technology from the same pool. Our subcontractors are held to the same standards for accessibility.
Throughout our Product Development Process, accessibility activities are identified for Product Managers, Developers, Designers, UX Researchers, and QA testers. We conduct inclusive UX research with users of assistive technology within the company and through our accessibility partner (https://makeitfable.com/), and we do automated and manual testing for accessibility, including compatibility testing with users of assistive technology from the same pool. Our subcontractors are held to the same standards for accessibility.
Answer Meets Expectations Unselected Option: Unselected Option:
Alternatives and Accommodations Optimized Advancing Emerging
User Notes A1 - Does the product allow for individual personalization of the interface and other capabilities (user preferences)?
ANSWER: Some personalization is possible but limited.
User Notes:
D2L's platform works natively with assistive technologies. Some personalization options are provided to improve usability.
D2L's platform works natively with assistive technologies. Some personalization options are provided to improve usability.
Unselected Option: Answer Partially Meets Expectations Unselected Option:
User Notes A2 - Does the supplier provide guidance or suggestions for alternatives or workarounds to address accessibility gaps?
ANSWER: Supplier has suggestions based on accessibility needs and engages with the client to discuss those needs and develop alternatives.
User Notes:
Workarounds are provided to clients where needed.
Workarounds are provided to clients where needed.
Answer Meets Expectations Unselected Option: Unselected Option:

Vetting Context

Policies Cited

The following urls were cited as a basis for this information.

Geographical Context

(Laws and regulations can vary across regions)

The views and opinions expressed in this information are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of 1EdTech. The information provided is intended to surface trends about the policies and procedures of systems leveraged by the educational community. It should not be considered legal advice.

Disclaimer: The 1EdTech TrustEd Apps Accessibility Rubric provides a self-assessment tool for a supplier to evaluate their product’s posture toward accessibility, according to the 1EdTech TrustEd Apps Accessibility Rubric Specification v1.0. This information is to provide additional context on accessibility, beyond conformance and legislative requirements. Find out more here.

© Copyright 2025 1EdTech Global Learning Consortium Inc. All Rights Reserved.

App Vetting Rubric Version: 2