Accessibility at Rouxbe
We're committed to making culinary education usable for everyone. We measure our learning platform against the U.S. Section 508 standards and continually work to improve the experience for people of all abilities.
Our conformance statement
This Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) outlines the §508 accessibility information for the Rouxbe Learning Management System (LMS). It applies to the LMS and not to rouxbe.com or other affiliated marketing websites and properties.
The breakdown below reflects how each applicable Section 508 standard is supported across the platform, along with remarks and known exceptions.
Section 508 summary
The table below summarizes conformance across the eight applicable Section 508 categories. Each links to its detailed criteria breakdown further down the page.
| Section | Standard | Level of Support |
|---|---|---|
| 1194.21 | Software Applications and Operating Systems | Supported with exceptions |
| 1194.22 | Web-based Intranet and Internet Information and Applications | Supported with exceptions |
| 1194.23 | Telecommunications Products | Not applicable |
| 1194.24 | Video and Multi-media Products | Supported with exceptions |
| 1194.25 | Self-Contained, Closed Products | Not applicable |
| 1194.26 | Desktop and Portable Computers | Not applicable |
| 1194.31 | Functional Performance Criteria | Supported with exceptions |
| 1194.41 | Information, Documentation and Support | Supported with exceptions |
Section 1194.21
Software Applications and Operating Systems
(a) When software is designed to run on a system that has a keyboard, product functions shall be executable from a keyboard where the function itself or the result of performing a function can be discerned textually.
SupportedWhere applicable, users are able to tab through functions and execute with the space bar.
(b) Applications shall not disrupt or disable activated features of other products that are identified as accessibility features, where those features are developed and documented according to industry standards. Applications also shall not disrupt or disable activated features of any operating system that are identified as accessibility features where the application programming interface for those accessibility features has been documented by the manufacturer of the operating system and is available to the product developer.
SupportedRouxbe designs and develops features using best practices to avoid unexpected impact of surrounding systems.
(c) A well-defined on-screen indication of the current focus shall be provided that moves among interactive interface elements as the input focus changes. The focus shall be programmatically exposed so that Assistive Technology can track focus and focus changes.
SupportedRouxbe uses the browser native features to indicate item selection and focus. The visual indication depends on the given browser.
(d) Sufficient information about a user interface element including the identity, operation and state of the element shall be available to Assistive Technology. When an image represents a program element, the information conveyed by the image must also be available in text.
Supported with exceptionsRouxbe utilizes image alt text and title attributes to describe visual elements with text. The exception is that visual elements embedded or hosted outside of our systems may not support this behavior. Further, we are in the process of ensuring all media assets satisfy this guideline, so there may be some assets that have not yet been discovered and subsequently supported.
(e) When bitmap images are used to identify controls, status indicators, or other programmatic elements, the meaning assigned to those images shall be consistent throughout an application's performance.
SupportedRouxbe does not use bitmap images. However, we keep meaning consistent across all media types.
(f) Textual information shall be provided through operating system functions for displaying text. The minimum information that shall be made available is text content, text input caret location, and text attributes.
Supported(g) Applications shall not override user selected contrast and color selections and other individual display attributes.
SupportedRouxbe does not control the client system environment.
(h) When animation is displayed, the information shall be displayable in at least one non-animated presentation mode at the option of the user.
Supported with exceptionsRouxbe does not typically use animations. However, like other media assets, a text description of the media content would be available to the user.
(i) Color coding shall not be used as the only means of conveying information, indicating an action, prompting a response, or distinguishing a visual element.
SupportedRouxbe uses color themes to convey meaning such as success and failure messaging. In addition to the color theme, we also provide text to clearly describe the event, such as success or failure.
(j) When a product permits a user to adjust color and contrast settings, a variety of color selections capable of producing a range of contrast levels shall be provided.
Supported(k) Software shall not use flashing or blinking text, objects, or other elements having a flash or blink frequency greater than 2 Hz and lower than 55 Hz.
Supported(l) When electronic forms are used, the form shall allow people using Assistive Technology to access the information, field elements, and functionality required for completion and submission of the form, including all directions and cues.
SupportedSection 1194.22
Web-based Intranet and Internet Information and Applications
(a) A text equivalent for every non-text element shall be provided (e.g., via "alt", "longdesc", or in element content).
Supported with exceptionsRouxbe utilizes alt and title tags for media elements. However, this is an in-progress initiative, so there may be some media assets that have not yet been discovered or supported.
(b) Equivalent alternatives for any multimedia presentation shall be synchronized with the presentation.
Not applicableWe do not utilize multimedia presentations. We do, however, use videos throughout our learning content.
(c) Web pages shall be designed so that all information conveyed with color is also available without color, for example from context or markup.
Supported with exceptionsRouxbe conveys information on web pages using our default font color of #696a6e. However, some elements may use contrasting colors on backgrounds, such as white text on a dark background. These are not modifiable by intention so that they remain accessible.
(d) Documents shall be organized so they are readable without requiring an associated style sheet.
Supported(e) Redundant text links shall be provided for each active region of a server-side image map.
Not applicableRouxbe does not utilize image maps.
(f) Client-side image maps shall be provided instead of server-side image maps except where the regions cannot be defined with an available geometric shape.
Not applicableRouxbe does not utilize image maps.
(g) Row and column headers shall be identified for data tables.
Supported(h) Markup shall be used to associate data cells and header cells for data tables that have two or more logical levels of row or column headers.
Supported(i) Frames shall be titled with text that facilitates frame identification and navigation.
Not applicableFrames are not used for navigation.
(j) Pages shall be designed to avoid causing the screen to flicker with a frequency greater than 2 Hz and lower than 55 Hz.
Supported(k) A text-only page, with equivalent information or functionality, shall be provided to make a web site comply with the provisions of this part, when compliance cannot be accomplished in any other way. The content of the text-only page shall be updated whenever the primary page changes.
Not applicableAs of yet, we are not aware of any page that would require a text equivalent.
(l) When pages utilize scripting languages to display content, or to create interface elements, the information provided by the script shall be identified with functional text that can be read by Assistive Technology.
Not applicableRouxbe does not utilize pages that display scripting information.
(m) When a web page requires that an applet, plug-in or other application be present on the client system to interpret page content, the page must provide a link to a plug-in or applet that complies with 1194.21(a) through (l).
Not applicableRouxbe does not require applets, plugins, or other third-party tooling to use the service.
(n) When electronic forms are designed to be completed on-line, the form shall allow people using Assistive Technology to access the information, field elements, and functionality required for completion and submission of the form, including all directions and cues.
Supported(o) A method shall be provided that permits users to skip repetitive navigation links.
SupportedRouxbe uses a unique single set of navigation links per given area of the learning management system.
(p) When a timed response is required, the user shall be alerted and given sufficient time to indicate more time is required.
Supported with exceptionsRouxbe uses timed assessments. For our timed assessments, the time remaining is displayed to the user, thus alerting them to the amount of time they have left. However, they cannot request more time, as this is by design to test their knowledge on a given subject matter like any timed testing environment.
Section 1194.23
Telecommunications Products
This category covers telecommunications hardware (TTY connectivity, voice signal gain, mechanically operated controls, and similar). It does not apply to Rouxbe's web-based Learning Management System.
Section 1194.24
Video and Multi-media Products
(a) All analog television displays 13 inches and larger, and computer equipment that includes analog television receiver or display circuitry, shall be equipped with caption decoder circuitry which appropriately receives, decodes, and displays closed captions from broadcast, cable, videotape, and DVD signals. As soon as practicable, but not later than July 1, 2002, widescreen digital television (DTV) displays measuring at least 7.8 inches vertically, DTV sets with conventional displays measuring at least 13 inches vertically, and stand-alone DTV tuners, whether or not they are marketed with display screens, and computer equipment that includes DTV receiver or display circuitry, shall be equipped with caption decoder circuitry which appropriately receives, decodes, and displays closed captions from broadcast, cable, videotape, and DVD signals.
Not applicable(b) Television tuners, including tuner cards for use in computers, shall be equipped with secondary audio program playback circuitry.
Not applicable(c) All training and informational video and multimedia productions which support the agency's mission, regardless of format, that contain speech or other audio information necessary for the comprehension of the content, shall be open or closed captioned.
Supported with exceptionsMuch of the course catalog has closed captions. However, this is an ongoing process, and some video content is still being processed.
(d) All training and informational video and multimedia productions which support the agency's mission, regardless of format, that contain visual information necessary for the comprehension of the content, shall be audio described.
Supported with exceptionsSome video content is used in assessments and does not contain sound, as there is no need for sound when a technique is demonstrated. Instead, text content is used to convey the content, such as whether the response is correct or not.
(e) Display or presentation of alternate text presentation or audio descriptions shall be user-selectable unless permanent.
Supported with exceptionsRouxbe does not offer text versions of video content. However, much of the video content is accompanied by an audio track, so the user can rely on the audio for content description.
Section 1194.25
Self-Contained, Closed Products
This category covers self-contained hardware products (kiosks, touch screens, freestanding equipment, and their physical controls). It does not apply to Rouxbe's web-based Learning Management System.
Section 1194.26
Desktop and Portable Computers
This category covers desktop and portable computer hardware (mechanically operated controls, touch-operated controls, expansion slots, ports, and connectors). It does not apply to Rouxbe's web-based Learning Management System.
Section 1194.31
Functional Performance Criteria
(a) At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require user vision shall be provided, or support for Assistive Technology used by people who are blind or visually impaired shall be provided.
Supported with exceptionsLearning content is accessible to Assistive Technology by way of site text and media descriptions such as alt and title tags. However, this is an ongoing effort, so some media elements may not yet be discovered or described.
(b) At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require visual acuity greater than 20/70 shall be provided in audio and enlarged print output working together or independently, or support for Assistive Technology used by people who are visually impaired shall be provided.
SupportedRouxbe uses consistently themed font sizes throughout the system. These can therefore be increased per the given browser font settings. Further, video content is served with an audio track.
(c) At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require user hearing shall be provided, or support for Assistive Technology used by people who are deaf or hard of hearing shall be provided.
Not applicableRouxbe does not require user audio feedback.
(d) Where audio information is important for the use of a product, at least one mode of operation and information retrieval shall be provided in an enhanced auditory fashion, or support for assistive hearing devices shall be provided.
Not applicableRouxbe does not require enhanced auditory output.
(e) At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require user speech shall be provided, or support for Assistive Technology used by people with disabilities shall be provided.
Not applicableRouxbe does not require user speech input.
(f) At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require fine motor control or simultaneous actions and that is operable with limited reach and strength shall be provided.
SupportedRouxbe navigation and form controls are navigable via standard keyboard tabbing and up and down arrows.
Section 1194.41
Information, Documentation and Support
(a) Product support documentation provided to end-users shall be made available in alternate formats upon request, at no additional charge.
SupportedPlease contact support@rouxbe.com with any such requests.
(b) End-users shall have access to a description of the accessibility and compatibility features of products in alternate formats or alternate methods upon request, at no additional charge.
SupportedPlease contact support@rouxbe.com with any such requests.
(c) Support services for products shall accommodate the communication needs of end-users with disabilities.
Supported with exceptionsRouxbe will accommodate communication needs within the limits of our capability. These requests are handled on a per-request basis.
Need an accommodation?
If you encounter an accessibility barrier or need assistance using Rouxbe, our support team is here to help.