Our Commitment
Democracy is only real when everyone can take part. At I DEY VOTE, we believe that accessibility is not a feature — it is a fundamental right. Whether you are blind, deaf, have limited mobility, a cognitive disability, or a temporary impairment, you should be able to vote in daily polls, report civic cases, verify community issues, and withdraw your earnings with the same ease as any other citizen.
Our Goal: Full WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance across all platform pages and features by December 2026. We are already AA-compliant on our core user flows and working toward AAA on critical paths.
We design with accessibility in mind from the first line of code, not as an afterthought. Our team includes accessibility specialists, and we test regularly with users who have disabilities across Nigeria.
WCAG 2.1 Compliance Status
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 are the international standard for web accessibility. We track our compliance across all four principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust.
| WCAG Principle | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Perceivable — Information must be presentable in ways users can perceive | AA Compliant | Alt text on all images, captions on videos, colour contrast ratios above 4.5:1, resizable text up to 200% |
| Operable — Interface components must be operable by all users | AA Compliant | Full keyboard navigation, visible focus indicators, no time limits on forms, skip links implemented |
| Understandable — Information and UI operation must be understandable | In Progress | Plain language policy active. Simplified mode for complex sections. Pidgin English support planned. |
| Robust — Content must work with current and future assistive technologies | AA Compliant | Valid HTML5, ARIA labels on all interactive elements, semantic markup, screen-reader tested |
Last Audit: June 2026 by independent accessibility consultants. Next audit scheduled for September 2026. Audit reports are available on request via [email protected].
Accessibility Features
Here are the tools and features we have built to make I DEY VOTE usable for everyone:
Full Keyboard Navigation
Every button, link, form field, and menu can be reached and activated using only the Tab, Enter, Space, and Arrow keys. No mouse required.
Screen Reader Optimised
All images have descriptive alt text. All interactive elements have ARIA labels. Polls, cases, and forms are fully navigable with NVDA, JAWS, and VoiceOver.
High Contrast Mode
Toggle high contrast in Settings for stronger visual distinction between text, buttons, and backgrounds. Exceeds WCAG AAA contrast ratios.
Resizable Text
Zoom the page up to 200% without breaking the layout. All text remains readable and all functions remain accessible at any zoom level.
Captions & Transcripts
All video content includes closed captions. All podcasts and audio content includes text transcripts. Captions are editable by the community.
Colour Blind Safe
We never rely on colour alone to convey meaning. Icons, labels, patterns, and text always accompany colour coding. Tested with Deuteranopia and Protanopia simulators.
Reduced Motion
Respect the "prefers-reduced-motion" browser setting. All animations, transitions, and auto-scrolling elements are disabled when this preference is set.
Simple Language Mode
Toggle "Simple Language" in Settings to replace complex policy and legal text with plain English summaries. Ideal for users with cognitive disabilities or non-native speakers.
Touch Target Size
All buttons and interactive elements are at least 44x44 pixels on mobile — exceeding WCAG minimums. No tiny tap targets that frustrate users with motor impairments.
Visual Alerts
All audio notifications (new poll, case update, message) are accompanied by visual indicators. No information is conveyed by sound alone.
Screen Reader Support
We test I DEY VOTE with the most common screen readers used in Nigeria and globally. Here is our compatibility status:
- NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access): Fully compatible. Tested on Windows 10 and 11 with Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.
- JAWS (Job Access With Speech): Fully compatible. Tested on Windows with Chrome and Edge.
- VoiceOver (macOS & iOS): Fully compatible. Tested on Safari, Chrome, and the I DEY VOTE iOS app.
- TalkBack (Android): Fully compatible. Tested on Chrome and the I DEY VOTE Android app.
- ChromeVox: Compatible. Tested on ChromeOS.
Screen Reader Tip: Use the "Skip to Main Content" link at the top of every page (press Tab once after loading) to bypass navigation and jump directly to the content you need.
Cognitive Accessibility
We recognise that accessibility is not only about vision and mobility. Cognitive disabilities — including dyslexia, ADHD, autism, and memory impairments — affect how millions of Nigerians interact with digital platforms. Here is what we do:
- Consistent Layout: Navigation, buttons, and forms are in the same place on every page. Users build muscle memory and confidence.
- Clear Labels: Every button says exactly what it does. No vague icons without text. No "Click Here" links.
- Error Prevention: Forms warn you before submission if data is missing. Civic case reports have a confirmation step. Poll votes can be changed before final submission.
- No Time Pressure: No session timeouts on forms. Users can take as long as they need to write a case report or complete verification.
- Chunked Content: Long pages are broken into clear sections with headings. The "Simple Language" mode reduces cognitive load on policy-heavy pages.
- Focus Management: When a modal opens, focus is trapped inside it. When it closes, focus returns to the button that opened it. Users never get lost.
Mobile Accessibility
Over 70% of I DEY VOTE users access the platform on mobile devices. Mobile accessibility is not an afterthought — it is our primary design constraint.
- Responsive Design: The layout adapts to any screen size from 320px to 4K displays. No horizontal scrolling at any zoom level.
- Voice Control (iOS & Android): All buttons and links have accessible names that work with Siri, Google Assistant, and native voice control.
- Switch Control: Tested with iOS Switch Control and Android Switch Access for users who cannot use touchscreens directly.
- Large Text Support: Respects the system font size setting on both iOS and Android. The entire interface scales proportionally.
- Dark Mode: Full dark mode support that respects system preferences. Dark mode is also tested for contrast compliance.
- One-Handed Mode: Key actions (vote, verify, report) are reachable with one thumb on all screen sizes.
Known Issues & Roadmap
We are honest about where we are not yet perfect. Here are the accessibility issues we are actively working to resolve:
- Leaflet Map Accessibility: The National Civic Map uses Leaflet.js, which has limited screen reader support. We are adding custom ARIA labels to all map markers and a text-based list view as an alternative. Target fix: July 2026.
- AI Chat Accessibility: The Civic AI Assistant chat interface needs improved live region announcements for screen reader users. Target fix: August 2026.
- Pidgin English Support: We are building a full Pidgin English interface to serve users with limited formal English literacy. Target launch: October 2026.
- Sign Language Videos: We plan to add Nigerian Sign Language (NSL) interpretation to all video content and key instructional pages. Target launch: December 2026.
- PDF Accessibility: All downloadable documents (reports, policies, guides) are now produced as accessible PDFs with tagged headings, alt text, and reading order. Completed May 2026.
- Braille Output: We do not currently support direct braille output. However, all content is compatible with braille displays connected to screen readers. No direct plan — screen reader compatibility is sufficient.
Accessibility Feedback
We want to hear from you. If you encounter any barrier — large or small — while using I DEY VOTE, please tell us. Your feedback directly shapes our roadmap.
- Email: [email protected] (monitored daily, response within 24 hours)
- Phone: 0700-IDEY-ACE (0700-4339-223) — Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm WAT. Staff trained in disability etiquette.
- WhatsApp: +234 809 123 4569 (text, voice note, or video message accepted)
- In-App: Settings → Accessibility → Report a Barrier (goes directly to our accessibility team)
Accessibility Bug Bounty: If you report a genuine accessibility barrier that we were not aware of, we will credit your account with 500 points (₦500) as a thank you. If you are the first to report it, you also get a "Accessibility Champion" badge on your profile.
Third-Party Content
I DEY VOTE integrates with third-party services for maps, payments, authentication, and analytics. We require all partners to meet minimum accessibility standards:
- Payment Gateway: Our payment provider (Paystack) is WCAG 2.1 AA compliant and supports screen readers.
- Maps: Leaflet.js is used for the National Civic Map. We add custom accessibility layers on top.
- Authentication: Google Sign-In and phone OTP flows are fully keyboard-navigable and screen-reader compatible.
- Analytics: Our analytics dashboard uses high-contrast charts with data tables as alternatives for screen reader users.
If you encounter an accessibility issue caused by a third-party integration, report it to us and we will escalate it to the partner with urgency.
Legal Framework
Our accessibility work is guided by Nigerian and international law:
- Nigerian Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018: Section 6 mandates that public and private organisations ensure their facilities, including digital platforms, are accessible to persons with disabilities.
- WCAG 2.1 Level AA: Our target compliance standard, recognised globally as the benchmark for web accessibility.
- UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD): Article 9 requires states to ensure equal access to information and communication technologies.
- African Union Agenda 2063: Aspiration 6 calls for inclusive digital transformation across the continent.
We are committed to going beyond legal minimums. Compliance is the floor, not the ceiling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Go to Settings → Accessibility → High Contrast and toggle it on. You can also press Alt + Shift + H on desktop to toggle instantly. The setting persists across sessions and devices when you are logged in.
Yes. Because our platform is fully compatible with screen readers (NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver, TalkBack), any braille display connected to those screen readers will work with I DEY VOTE. We do not have a separate braille interface, but the screen reader bridge is robust and tested.
Yes. On iOS, use Voice Control (Settings → Accessibility → Voice Control). On Android, use Voice Access (Settings → Accessibility → Voice Access). All buttons, links, and form fields have clear accessible names that voice commands can target.
Go to Settings → Accessibility → Font and select "OpenDyslexic" — a font specifically designed for dyslexic readers. You can also increase letter spacing and line height for easier reading. These settings sync across all your devices.
Yes. Append ?mode=text to any URL for a stripped-down, text-only version optimised for screen readers and slow connections. Example: https://ideyvote.com/dashboard.html?mode=text. This mode removes all images, animations, and decorative elements while preserving full functionality.
Yes. We run quarterly usability testing sessions with Nigerian citizens who have visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive disabilities. These sessions are facilitated by disability rights organisations in Lagos, Abuja, and Enugu. Findings go directly to our product roadmap.
Last Updated: June 4, 2026 | Version: 1.0 | Effective Date: June 4, 2026
This accessibility statement is reviewed quarterly. Major updates are announced via email and in-app notification to all users.