Enhancing Accessibility in Adobe Experience Manager Assets: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

In today’s digital landscape, ensuring accessibility for all users, regardless of their physical abilities, is not just a legal requirement but also a moral obligation. Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) Assets is at the forefront of this initiative, continuously evolving to meet global accessibility standards. This guide delves into the various accessibility features embedded within AEM Assets, offering insights into how these features support users with disabilities and ensuring that content creators and administrators can seamlessly create and manage accessible digital experiences.

Problem Statement or Background

The web is a critical platform for communication, commerce, and content consumption. However, many users with disabilities face challenges when interacting with online content due to inadequate accessibility features. To address these challenges, global standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 and the Revised Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act have been established. Adobe Experience Manager Assets is designed to comply with these standards, ensuring that both the content created using the platform and the platform itself are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities.

Key Concepts or Terminology

1. Accessibility: The practice of making digital content usable by people with a wide range of abilities, including those with visual, auditory, mobility, or cognitive disabilities.
2. Assistive Technologies (AT): Tools and software used by individuals with disabilities to interact with digital content. These include screen readers, speech recognition software, and alternative input devices.
3. WCAG 2.1: A set of guidelines developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) to ensure that web content is accessible to all users.
4. Section 508: A U.S. federal law that requires all electronic and information technology developed, procured, maintained, or used by the federal government to be accessible to people with disabilities.
5. WAI-ARIA: The Web Accessibility Initiative – Accessible Rich Internet Applications, a technical specification that provides ways to make web content and web applications more accessible to people with disabilities.

Detailed Explanation

Adobe Experience Manager Assets has been designed with accessibility at its core, ensuring that users with disabilities can effectively use the platform’s features. The platform supports a range of global accessibility standards, including WCAG 2.1, Section 508, and EN 301 549. These standards ensure that users can interact with the platform using assistive technologies, such as screen readers and speech recognition software, and that the content created with AEM is accessible to all.

AEM Assets also provides various features to enhance accessibility, such as keyboard navigation, screen reader support, and high-contrast color schemes. These features are crucial for users with visual, auditory, and motor impairments, allowing them to navigate and manage digital assets efficiently.

Step by Step Guide

Step 1: Understanding Accessibility Standards

Before diving into the accessibility features of AEM Assets, it is essential to understand the standards it supports. Familiarize yourself with WCAG 2.1, Section 508, WAI-ARIA, and EN 301 549 to grasp the accessibility requirements.

Step 2: Navigating AEM Assets with Assistive Technologies

AEM Assets is compatible with various assistive technologies, including screen readers, keyboard navigation, and alternative input devices. Users can navigate the platform’s user interface using keyboard shortcuts, which are especially beneficial for those with mobility impairments.

• Keyboard Shortcuts: AEM Assets provides a comprehensive list of keyboard shortcuts to help users navigate the platform without a mouse. For instance, pressing “Alt + 1” opens the content tree, while “Alt + 2” opens the navigation left rail.
• Screen Readers: AEM Assets is designed to work seamlessly with screen readers, allowing visually impaired users to interact with the platform using auditory feedback.

Step 3: Creating Accessible Content

AEM Assets empowers content creators to produce accessible digital content that meets global standards. When creating content, ensure that it adheres to WCAG 2.1 guidelines, such as providing alternative text for images, using descriptive headings, and ensuring that content is navigable via keyboard.

Step 4: Managing Assets with Accessibility in Mind

Asset management is a critical aspect of AEM Assets, and the platform provides features that make this process accessible to all users. For example, users can manage assets using keyboard shortcuts, navigate through the asset library using screen readers, and adjust the user interface’s color contrast to suit their needs.

Best Practices or Tips

1. Regularly Test for Accessibility: Ensure that both the AEM platform and the content created with it are regularly tested for accessibility compliance using tools like screen readers and keyboard-only navigation.
2. Stay Updated on Standards: Accessibility standards are constantly evolving. Stay informed about updates to WCAG, Section 508, and other relevant standards to ensure ongoing compliance.
3. Provide Training: Offer training sessions for content creators and administrators on how to use AEM Assets’ accessibility features effectively.

Case Studies or Examples

Consider a scenario where a large corporation uses AEM Assets to manage its digital content. By leveraging the platform’s accessibility features, the company ensures that its content is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. This not only broadens the company’s audience but also demonstrates its commitment to inclusivity.

Troubleshooting and FAQ

• Q: How can I enable keyboard shortcuts in AEM Assets?
  • A: Keyboard shortcuts are enabled by default in AEM Assets. To view a list of available shortcuts, press “?” on your keyboard while navigating the platform.
• Q: My screen reader isn’t reading the content in AEM Assets correctly. What should I do?
  • A: Ensure that your screen reader is compatible with AEM Assets. If the issue persists, consult Adobe’s accessibility support for assistance.
• Q: How can I check if my content meets WCAG 2.1 standards?
  • A: Use automated accessibility testing tools or manual testing methods to verify that your content adheres to WCAG 2.1 guidelines.

Conclusion

Accessibility is a critical aspect of modern digital content management, and Adobe Experience Manager Assets is leading the way in ensuring that all users, regardless of their abilities, can effectively use the platform. By adhering to global accessibility standards and continuously enhancing its features, AEM Assets empowers content creators and administrators to produce and manage accessible digital experiences. Whether you’re a content creator, developer, or administrator, understanding and leveraging AEM Assets’ accessibility features is essential for fostering an inclusive digital environment.