Product: Blackboard Learn
Vetted by
Amy
Lomellini,
Product Accessibility Lead
at Anthology
on 2025-12-12
Accessibility Rubric Results: Optimized
| Rubric Area | Expectations | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| General | Optimized | Advancing | Emerging |
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User Notes
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 updated from time to time to reflect regulatory requirements and evolving business practices. Any changes will be published on the Blackboard Trust Center at https://www.anthology.com/trust-center.
Policies may be updated from time to time to reflect regulatory requirements and evolving business practices. Any changes will be published on the Blackboard Trust Center at https://www.anthology.com/trust-center.
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| Information and Documentation | Optimized | Advancing | Emerging |
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User Notes
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:
Blackboard’s Help Site includes a comprehensive accessibility statement that reinforces our long-standing leadership in accessibility and our commitment to incorporating feedback from the disability community. The statement identifies the accessibility standards we follow and provides up-to-date accessibility conformance documentation.
Blackboard’s Help Site includes a comprehensive accessibility statement that reinforces our long-standing leadership in accessibility and our commitment to incorporating feedback from the disability community. The statement identifies the accessibility standards we follow and provides up-to-date accessibility conformance documentation.
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User Notes
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:
A comprehensive accessibility conformance report is publicly available on Blackboard's Help Site.
A comprehensive accessibility conformance report is publicly available on Blackboard's Help Site.
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User Notes
User Notes
D3 - Are the documents shared by the supplier accessible?
ANSWER: Fully accessible documents.
User Notes:
Yes, we design, create, and test our documents for accessibility. For example, we use an internal instance of Ally, alongside manual testing, to validate and support our accessibility conformance reporting.
Yes, we design, create, and test our documents for accessibility. For example, we use an internal instance of Ally, alongside manual testing, to validate and support our accessibility conformance reporting.
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User Notes
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:
Accessibility conformance documentation is produced annually.
Accessibility conformance documentation is produced annually.
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User Notes
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:
Blackboard not only maintains a documented accessibility roadmap, but also prioritizes transparent, multi-channel communication around planned improvements, timelines, and contingencies. Clients are kept informed through public sessions, quarterly webinars, direct conversations, and regular written updates, fostering a collaborative approach to advancing accessibility. Customers can also access recordings of roadmap webinars and supporting presentation materials for ongoing reference on our community site.
Blackboard not only maintains a documented accessibility roadmap, but also prioritizes transparent, multi-channel communication around planned improvements, timelines, and contingencies. Clients are kept informed through public sessions, quarterly webinars, direct conversations, and regular written updates, fostering a collaborative approach to advancing accessibility. Customers can also access recordings of roadmap webinars and supporting presentation materials for ongoing reference on our community site.
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| Procurement Process and Communication | Optimized | Advancing | Emerging |
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User Notes
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, Blackboard views accessibility as a strategic imperative that involves all teams, not just product and engineering teams. Sales, marketing, strategy, and other teams are well versed on accessibility best practices and regularly receive training on the topic.
Yes, Blackboard views accessibility as a strategic imperative that involves all teams, not just product and engineering teams. Sales, marketing, strategy, and other teams are well versed on accessibility best practices and regularly receive training on the topic.
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User Notes
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:
The Director of Accessibility at Anthology leads a dedicated team of certified International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) Web Accessibility Specialists (WAS) and is responsible for shaping and executing the organization's accessibility strategy. Blackboard also actively engages with the wider disability community including native assistive technology users, conducts regular automated and manual testing, and incorporates feedback from diverse users to drive continuous accessibility improvements. This approach ensures that a broad range of lived experiences is represented, helping the team proactively identify and address accessibility gaps.
The Director of Accessibility at Anthology leads a dedicated team of certified International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) Web Accessibility Specialists (WAS) and is responsible for shaping and executing the organization's accessibility strategy. Blackboard also actively engages with the wider disability community including native assistive technology users, conducts regular automated and manual testing, and incorporates feedback from diverse users to drive continuous accessibility improvements. This approach ensures that a broad range of lived experiences is represented, helping the team proactively identify and address accessibility gaps.
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User Notes
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:
Issues identified during audits are disclosed on the accessibility conformance report. Customer-reported accessibility issues are published to the customer support portal where all open issues can be reviewed and tracked.
Issues identified during audits are disclosed on the accessibility conformance report. Customer-reported accessibility issues are published to the customer support portal where all open issues can be reviewed and tracked.
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User Notes
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:
The product support process includes defined escalation procedures to ensure accessibility-related issues are routed to the appropriate teams with the relevant accessibility expertise.
The product support process includes defined escalation procedures to ensure accessibility-related issues are routed to the appropriate teams with the relevant accessibility expertise.
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| Accessibility Conformance | Optimized | Advancing | Emerging |
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User Notes
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:
Blackboard employs a proactive, multi-faceted accessibility strategy that embeds shared responsibility across every phase of the product development lifecycle. This includes a dedicated internal accessibility team that provides testing and consultation, ongoing engagement with disabled users, and the nomination of accessibility champions across teams throughout Anthology. Together, these efforts help advance accessibility in both our products and our organizational culture.
Blackboard employs a proactive, multi-faceted accessibility strategy that embeds shared responsibility across every phase of the product development lifecycle. This includes a dedicated internal accessibility team that provides testing and consultation, ongoing engagement with disabled users, and the nomination of accessibility champions across teams throughout Anthology. Together, these efforts help advance accessibility in both our products and our organizational culture.
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User Notes
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:
Blackboard is designed and developed with internationally recognized Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 Level AA, Section 508, and EN 301 549 in mind and conformance to these standards is to the extent detailed in the accessibility conformance report.
Blackboard is designed and developed with internationally recognized Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 Level AA, Section 508, and EN 301 549 in mind and conformance to these standards is to the extent detailed in the accessibility conformance report.
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User Notes
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:
Yes, Blackboard is continuously tested using a combination of automated and manual methods across multiple browser and device combinations, assistive technologies, and usage scenarios. We also regularly perform usability testing with disabled users.
Yes, Blackboard is continuously tested using a combination of automated and manual methods across multiple browser and device combinations, assistive technologies, and usage scenarios. We also regularly perform usability testing with disabled users.
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User Notes
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:
Subcontractors, when used, are held to the same accessibility standards and requirements.
Subcontractors, when used, are held to the same accessibility standards and requirements.
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User Notes
User Notes
C05 - Does the supplier provide training to team members regarding accessibility?
ANSWER: Role-based training is provided on a regular, continuing basis.
User Notes:
The Blackboard Accessibility Team maintains an internal resource hub that provides accessibility guidance, educational materials, best-practice references, and recorded training sessions to help staff maintain and develop their accessibility expertise. In addition, Blackboard offers regular, role-based live training sessions delivered by people with disabilities, in collaboration with teams across the organization. These sessions demonstrate real-world impact and foster shared ownership, accountability, and innovation in accessibility efforts.
The Blackboard Accessibility Team maintains an internal resource hub that provides accessibility guidance, educational materials, best-practice references, and recorded training sessions to help staff maintain and develop their accessibility expertise. In addition, Blackboard offers regular, role-based live training sessions delivered by people with disabilities, in collaboration with teams across the organization. These sessions demonstrate real-world impact and foster shared ownership, accountability, and innovation in accessibility efforts.
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User Notes
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:
Yes, the Accessibility Team includes native assistive technology users. Blackboard also partners with a community of users with a range of disabilities who provide ongoing product feedback.
Yes, the Accessibility Team includes native assistive technology users. Blackboard also partners with a community of users with a range of disabilities who provide ongoing product feedback.
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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.
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C08 - What follow-up occurred after accessibility issues were discovered?
ANSWER: Proactive communication about the issues, plans and projected timelines to address them.
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C09 - Did the supplier seek client input on prioritization of accessibility improvements?
ANSWER: Input was sought prior to development of remediation plans.
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User Notes
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:
We have ongoing accessibility improvements planned, communicated to customers through roadmap presentations, and delivered on a continuous basis.
We have ongoing accessibility improvements planned, communicated to customers through roadmap presentations, and delivered on a continuous basis.
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| Alternatives and Accommodations | Optimized | Advancing | Emerging |
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User Notes
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:
Blackboard is designed and developed to maximize compatibility with assistive technologies. Users can further personalize their experience through browser settings, third-party tools, and assistive technologies such as screen magnifiers or ZoomText for adjusting color and display preferences. This flexibility enables users to tailor the platform to their individual needs while maintaining a consistent and accessible digital experience.
Blackboard is designed and developed to maximize compatibility with assistive technologies. Users can further personalize their experience through browser settings, third-party tools, and assistive technologies such as screen magnifiers or ZoomText for adjusting color and display preferences. This flexibility enables users to tailor the platform to their individual needs while maintaining a consistent and accessible digital experience.
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User Notes
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:
Our Director of Accessibility and Accessibility Specialists are available to meet directly with users and administrators to discuss their experiences, explore potential solutions, and take appropriate action based on individual needs.
Our Director of Accessibility and Accessibility Specialists are available to meet directly with users and administrators to discuss their experiences, explore potential solutions, and take appropriate action based on individual needs.
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Vetting Context
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.
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App Vetting Rubric Version: 2