Accessibility and conformance

  • Release version: Washingtondc
  • Updated February 14, 2024
  • 1 minute to read

    • View a summary of accessibility updates and improvements completed for the Washington DC family release. Learn which Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) is used to create Accessibility Conformance Reports (ACRs) for ServiceNow® products. Find out where you can access a list of currently available ACRs.

    Release Highlights

    Key features in the Washington DC release include:

    WCAG 2.1 AA improvements

    • Upgraded the Customer Service Management (CSM) Configurable Workspace and foundational components used throughout Configurable Workspaces and the Next Experience, strengthening conformance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA.
    • Released enhancements focused on making the platform easier to use for those with low vision or who use Assistive Technology (AT), such as a screen reader. This included increasing zoom capabilities and implementing Reflow (400% zoom), improving contrast of text and images, adding alternative text to images, and refining the labeling of controls.
    • Resolved high priority accessibility defects across our Platform and Products. This included defects that could have prevented AT users from accessing content, navigating applications, or using certain features. These improvements are aimed at helping users who rely on a keyboard or other AT devices.

    Usability Features

    • Introduced Global Keyboard Shortcuts for use in the Next Experience. Keyboard shortcuts help users navigate across Configurable Workspace pages faster and more effectively, without a mouse. This enhancement helps users with mobility issues and cognitive impairments, as well as non-mouse and keyboard-only users, to complete various tasks.
    • Added the ability to enable a Dark Theme in additional areas of the Platform, including Knowledge Management and Data Visualization in Mobile. Because dark themes emit less blue light, use of dark themes may reduce eye strain and improve visibility of content in low light settings for some users.

    Enablement Capabilities

    • Introduced an Accessibility Checker into Theme Builder. This allows customers to verify they are meeting conformant color contrast levels as they apply their own brand and colors to our software.
    • Improved AT support for Dragon Naturally Speaking speech recognition software and Zoomtext magnification software.

    Product Accessibility

    A Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) is a globally recognized reporting format used to evaluate the accessibility of a product or service. ServiceNow uses the international version of the VPAT to create Accessibility Conformance Reports (ACRs). ACRs are available for the currently supported ServiceNow releases.

    For a full list of available accessibility conformance reports, see Accessibility conformance reports.