How accessible is Padlet?
Check Padlet’s accessibility FAQs.
In summary, Padlet are broadly compliant with WCAG level A for the Board product and are working towards AA.
- Screen-reading software: Padlet is basically compatible with screen-reader software (e.g. Apple Voice-Over, Jaws); for example, posts can be read aloud and new posts can be created using a shortcut.
- Keyboard navigation: Padlet supports full keyboard navigation across all pages. They also provide convenient shortcuts for quick content creation.
- Auto-captions: will display for videos linked via YuJa, YouTube etc.
- Colour contrast: Padlet recommend users download a web extension such as High Contrast for Chrome to increase contrast on Padlet pages.
Note: screen-reader software users (and those with impaired vision) will have a more accessible experience if padlet creators to follow these tips to create padlets that are accessible.
How do I inclusively support students to participate in a padlet activity?
Give notice: Let students know you plan to use Padlet, you can give notice via Module Roadmaps and/or Weekly Plans, or via a slide in your PowerPoint. This allows students time to activate their padlet licence, try out the tool for themselves and/or ask questions to seek support prior to use. For example,
- a screen-reader user may want to check Padlet’s accessibility FAQs and need time to familiarise themselves with mouse and keyboard short-cuts
- a note-taker may be needed to post on a student’s behalf
Signpost support: There is a university Padlet support page for students, which can be linked via your Blackboard course content, such as Ultra Documents, Module Roadmap and/or Weekly plan.
Design an activity to orientate students: When introducing Padlet, consider designing a ‘low stakes’ activity so students can familiarise themselves with the tool and better understand the type of support they may require to participate.
Be prepared to adapt the padlet activity: You may find that altering the activity to pair or groupwork allows students to make posts on behalf of others, or allowing greater student interaction and more considered posts.
Encourage students to post inclusively, and make the first post yourself!
There are some simple tips that everyone can follow which will increase the accessibility and clarity of posts, you should model these guidelines by making the first post on your padlet board, and encourage your students to follow suit:
- Always post with a subject line
When making a post, add a subject line. The padlet settings allow you to require students to complete this field. The subject line acts as a heading for screen-reader users, meaning they can quickly navigate between posts. Distinct, creative and accurate subject lines benefit all users to navigate and review a padlet board.
- Add alt-text descriptions to images
The image caption feature allows you to add alt-text and describe the image.
- Use text to describe links.
Hyperlinks should not be displayed as a long URL, instead use a meaningful link title.
Guide last updated on March 14, 2022
