Visible Body's mission is to make health and life science education available to all types of learners. Features that support accessibility standards are a key part of that mission. With the January 2025 release, VB Courseware is now the most accessible 3D visual and interactive science learning platform!
This article describes:
- The key accessibility features added to Courseware's New Assignments
- A summary of Courseware's VPAT and how to request the full VPAT
- The roadmap for what is planned to further increase Courseware's accessibility
This video provides highlights of accessibility features across our product offerings, including Courseware.
Courseware A&P adapted course
Want a comprehensive example of how Courseware supports accessibility standards? Instructors and administrators can add Courseware’s adapted Anatomy and Physiology essentials course to their Visible Body account. The course is a screen reader and keyboard control adapted version of the Anatomy and Physiology: Essential Concepts Courseware course.
Courseware’s adapted Anatomy and Physiology Essentials course demonstrates how students can complete visual and interactive coursework using the screen reader and keyboard controls added to New Assignments. These features include:
- Navigating through 3D lessons, slideshows, and quiz activities in New Assignments
- Selecting structures in A&P 3D Lessons
- Reading aloud assignment overviews, activity instructions, and info/about visual assets
- Taking multiple choice quizzes
Keyboard controls are also now available for the assignment builder used by instructors and admins.
Creating adapted courses
VB Courseware includes the capability for instructors and administrators to create assignments and courses that use the accessibility features. Basic screen reader accessibility and keyboard navigation have been added into our New Assignments. The following accessibility features are all available when creating assignments with quizzes using New Assignments:
- Navigating through an assignment, including through 3D lessons, slideshows, and quizzes
- Selecting structures with the hot-buttons in A&P 3D Lessons
- Reading activity instructions and info/"about this view" text
- Taking multiple choice quizzes
- Listening to activity instructions with the listen button, even without a screen reader
- Navigating to external links
- Navigating through the activity dropdown
If you need assistance with creating assignments and courses, contact your VB Education Team member or make a request through support@visiblebody.com.
HECVAT and VPAT
If you are an instructor/admin and would like to request our HECVAT and VPAT forms, you can do so through your school's VB Sales representative or send a request via email at support@visiblebody.com.
Here is a big picture view of all the VPAT items Courseware supports or supports with a few exceptions:
- Non-text Content
- Captions (Prerecorded)
- Audio Description or Media Alternative
- Meaningful Sequence
- Sensory Characteristics
- Use of Color
- Audio Control
- Keyboard
- No Keyboard Trap
Courseware accessibility features
Readability
Courseware is designed with readability in mind. We don’t use flashing lights or images in our products.
Time-sensitive elements
Time-sensitive elements in Courseware only appear within professor-designated tests and can be adjusted to meet the needs of individual learners.
Low vision users
Courseware support most forms of assistance for limited- or low-vision users compatible with supported browsers.
Reference Use
On the My Apps page of Courseware, students have access to VB Suite. To learn more about the accessibility features in VB Suite, see this article.
Accessibility Roadmap for 2025
Get in touch with the VB team to inquire about the progress and release dates for these features.
Q1 2025:
- Updates to the student experience to address ARIA markup and other accessibility gaps
- Advanced navigation and screen reader support for VBS info box, loading screen, and the gate screen for mobile
- Keyboard accessibility and read aloud support expanded into systems tray
Q2 2025:
- Color contrast refinements, including dark mode
- Update VPAT