Introduction
Testing Methodology: Hybrid (Manual + Automated using WAVE, Stylus, Web Developer)
Screen Readers Used: JAWS 2026, NVDA 2025
Browser: Chrome
Tested URLs:
1. Pre-Login Page (Account Approval Message)
Issue 1: Incorrect Login Link
Description: The account approval message includes a link
Login Page for ACN App,
which is intended for WordPress administrators. This results in a 403 error for regular users.
WCAG Criteria:
- 2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context) [Level A]
- 3.2.4 Consistent Identification [Level AA]
Impact: Users are misdirected and encounter an error, disrupting the login process.
Recommendation: Replace the link with the correct user-facing login URL: https://app.careernetworks.africa/.
Home Page of ACN App
Issue 1: Missing ARIA Labels for Landmark Regions
Description: Landmark regions (e.g., header, main, navigation) lack aria-label or aria-labelledby attributes.
WCAG Criteria:
- 1.3.1 Info and Relationships [Level A]
- 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value [Level A]
Impact: Screen reader users cannot identify the purpose of each region, reducing navigability.
Recommendation: Add descriptive aria-label or aria-labelledby attributes to all landmark regions.
Issue 2: Ambiguous Toggle Link
Description: A toggle link at the top of the page () lacks accessible text or purpose.
WCAG Criteria:
- 2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context) [Level A]
- 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value [Level A]
Impact: Screen reader users cannot determine the function of the link.
Recommendation: Add a descriptive label such as "Skip to content" or another appropriate text alternative.
Issue 3: Confusing Upload Process for Profile Photo
Description: The "Crop" button finalizes the upload, which is misleading as users expect a separate "Upload" or "Save" button.
WCAG Criteria:
- 3.2.4 Consistent Identification [Level AA]
- 3.3.2 Labels or Instructions [Level A]
Impact: Users may abandon the upload process due to confusion.
Recommendation: Rename the button to "Upload" or "Save and Crop" to clarify its function.
Positive Findings
Semantic Structure: Headings are mostly well-structured, with no skipped levels except in the newsletter section.
Issue: Newsletter heading is H2, while its content is H4.
Recommendation: Adjust content to H3 to maintain logical hierarchy.
Color Contrast: No contrast issues were detected using assistive tools.
WCAG Criteria: 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) [Level AA]
3. Welcome Page (ACN)
Issue 1: Heading Structure and Hierarchy
Description: Heading levels are not used consistently:
- "Welcome to ACN" is H2 but should be H1.
- "Complete the Career of Impact Readiness" and "Complete your ACN Discovery modules" should be H2s under the main H1.
- "Access communities", "Explore learning resources", and "Apply for opportunities" are H4s but should be H3s under their respective H2.
WCAG Criteria:
- 1.3.1 Info and Relationships [Level A]
- 2.4.6 Headings and Labels [Level AA]
Impact: Inconsistent heading structure impairs navigation and comprehension for screen reader users.
Recommendation: Reorganize headings to reflect a logical and hierarchical structure.
Issue 2: Inherited Issues from Home Page
All previously mentioned issues (ARIA labels, toggle link, upload process) persist on this page and should be addressed here as well.
Summary
This accessibility audit evaluated key user-facing pages of the Career Networks Africa platform using a hybrid testing approach, combining manual inspection with automated tools (WAVE, Stylus, Web Developer) and screen reader testing (JAWS 2026 and NVDA 2025) in Chrome. The audit focused on the homepage and welcome page, identifying structural, navigational, and labeling issues that impact users with disabilities, particularly those relying on assistive technologies. Notable issues include missing ARIA labels for landmark regions, ambiguous link purposes, inconsistent heading hierarchies, and a confusing profile photo upload process.
While the site demonstrates some strengths, such as generally good semantic structure and sufficient color contrast, the identified issues hinder accessibility and user experience. The report maps each issue to relevant WCAG 2.1 success criteria (Levels A and AA) and provides actionable recommendations for remediation. Addressing these gaps will improve the platform’s inclusivity, usability, and compliance with accessibility standards, benefiting all users, especially those with visual or cognitive impairments.