Access, structure and functionalities of the website

ACCESS

Web accessibility in OJS ensures that all people, including those with disabilities, can access, navigate, and use the content without barriers.

This journal uses a style sheet based on a theme specific to the OJS web version 3.3 of the Public Knowledge Project (PKP), which is committed to web accessibility and is committed to ensuring the greatest possible accessibility within the OJS platform.

To this end, PKP audits its style sheets by Access Changes Everything Inc., a Canadian accessibility consulting firm, to detect potential accessibility barriers. This is stated on the website https://docs.pkp.sfu.ca/accessibility-statement/es/, from which the following information has been extracted:

Audit Information

Access Changes Everything Inc., a Canadian digital accessibility consulting firm, conducted an audit of the public-facing OJS default theme version 3.3 between July 2019 and March 2021. Access Changes Everything Inc. provided two audits using multiple automated testers and performing extensive manual testing during the development process. Additionally, extensive audits were conducted by paid testers with various disabilities, who used different technologies throughout the process; these technologies are listed below. Some of the same testers were also involved in the final testing process.

Information about the standards used

This audit was conducted using the international standard for accessibility of the default OJS theme, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 and 2.2 Level AA. Please note that version 2.2 was only in draft form, as of May 2020.
The audit went well beyond WCAG 2.1 or WCAG 2.2 (Draft) Level AA. It included elements not currently included in WCAG, such as color blindness, font and style, and reducing barriers affecting people with cognitive, neurological, intellectual, and/or learning disabilities. The audit also included usability best practices, aiming to make the site more accessible and usable for everyone.

Tests and Technologies Used

The audit included tests in these areas:

Text-based content
Image-based content
Video and audio content
Color in content and design
Page and content layout
Page and content design
Navigation
Search functions
Wizards and modules
Forms and error mechanisms
Content structure

Use of HTML and CSS code

Fixes and Obstacles

After receiving the full audit report in December 2019, PKP created the Accessibility GitHub Project to track issues and progress toward resolution. The project is also open to community members to submit accessibility-related issues related to the platform's user interface and functionality.

In 2021, Access Changes Everything Inc. conducted a follow-up audit of the default theme to assess the fixes made by PKP developers. Most of the issues identified in the initial report were resolved by PKP, or Access Changes Everything Inc. suggested acceptable workarounds.

Some obstacles remain that could not be completely eliminated. PKP is working on them, or they can be resolved by the journals' use of OJS:

When enabled on the user registration page, reCAPTCHA presents a significant barrier for screen reader users with braille devices and VoiceControl users on iPhones. Additionally, reCAPTCHA lacks an iFrame title and form label, so even screen reader users who are able to use it may encounter barriers.
reCAPTCHA is a third-party Captcha system and service developed by Google and integrated as an optional OJS feature that can be disabled. There are alternatives, such as the OJS Honeypot module.

Content. Website content and published content created in a manner that does not comply with accessibility standards may present barriers for users. This may include, but is not limited to, uploaded images without alt text, poorly structured titles, inaccessible hyperlinks, missing figure captions, and incorrect or incomplete data table structures. While these issues are beyond the scope of the default accessible theme, PKP offers guidance to publishers on Creating Accessible Content.

Other obstacles. The remaining barriers are listed on the PKP Accessibility GitHub Project, which will continue to be updated as issues are resolved.

Contact

The audit of the default OJS theme found many barriers, most of which have been removed. However, the theme is constantly being updated, and new barriers may be unknowingly created. If you encounter any barriers or require accommodations, please inform us via the contact form on the PKP website.

Legal Notice

To the extent permitted by applicable law, Simon Fraser University or any of its affiliates, or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, or agents, shall not be liable in any way for any content in applications implementing this theme not complying with these accessibility standards, to the extent that such content was submitted or uploaded by a third party.

STRUCTURE

The OJS structure covers all aspects of journal publishing, from website creation, the publication workflow, and journal indexing. All stages of the editorial process are covered: submissions pending assignment, submission review, submission editing, publication, visibility, and dissemination.

Its structure includes:

Front-end (user interface)