Brief Description of Project: 

The project centered on improving the accessibility of a large-scale real estate platform that provides users with options to browse properties, schedule virtual tours, and complete rental or purchase applications. The client wanted to prioritize not only WCAG compliance but also ensure an intuitive, engaging experience for users with disabilities, including those with visual, auditory, and cognitive impairments. The primary goal was to create a seamless and accessible platform, emphasizing features like virtual property viewings and automated chatbots for customer support.     
 

Sector : Real Estate

Refers to the department providing Real Estate services.

Problem Statement:  

The real estate platform faced several accessibility issues that limited the ability of users with disabilities to fully engage with its features. Among the key challenges were:

• Missing Alt Text for Images: Property images lacked alternative text, making them inaccessible to users relying on screen readers.
• Inaccessible Interactive Maps: Users navigating via keyboard were unable to interact with the maps to view property locations.
• Improper Form Labeling: Users encountered issues filling out application forms due to missing or incorrectly labeled form elements.
• Inadequate Color Contrast: Some text and interactive elements lacked sufficient color contrast, making it difficult for users with low vision to perceive content clearly.
• No Accessible Filters for Property Searches: Search filters (such as location, price, and size) were not fully operable via keyboard, making it difficult for users who rely on keyboard-only navigation to filter properties based on their preferences.
• Confusing Focus Order: The focus order for interactive elements like maps, virtual tour videos, and search filters was not sequential, causing disorientation for users navigating with keyboards or screen readers.

These accessibility gaps hindered users with disabilities from effectively utilizing key services of the platform, resulting in an overall accessibility compliance score of 26%. Users with visual, motor, and cognitive impairments faced significant barriers to performing basic functions like searching for properties and scheduling tours. 

Solution Statement :

Our team performed an in-depth audit to identify over 100 accessibility violations, focusing on interactive and multimedia features of the platform. Collaborating closely with both the development and user experience teams, we introduced solutions that catered specifically to the diverse needs of users with disabilities, enhancing both usability and accessibility.

Our actions included:

• Alt Text for Property Images:
  Ensured that all images of properties, including interior and exterior shots, had descriptive <alt> attributes. This allowed users relying on screen readers to gain context about the property’s visual elements.
• Accessible Interactive Maps:
  Integrated keyboard navigation and added ARIA roles to ensure that users with motor disabilities could interact with the maps. This allowed them to view property locations and surrounding amenities without needing a mouse.
• Form Labeling and Error Handling:
  Implemented proper <label> elements for all form inputs, ensuring that each field was clearly associated with a description. Enhanced error feedback using ARIA live regions to announce validation errors in real-time for screen reader users.
• Improved Color Contrast:
  Updated the platform’s design to ensure that all text and interactive elements met WCAG 2.1 guidelines for color contrast. This significantly improved visibility for users with low vision.
• Keyboard-Accessible Search Filters:
  Revamped the property search filters to be fully navigable via keyboard. Users could now filter properties by location, price, and size using only keyboard input, significantly improving accessibility for users who cannot operate a mouse.  
• Logical Focus Order for Navigation:
  Reworked the focus order for all interactive elements on the platform. This included ensuring a consistent and logical progression through interactive maps, virtual tour videos, and search filters, providing a smooth navigation experience for users relying on assistive technologies.

These adjustments helped to eliminate major barriers, creating a fully accessible platform for all users.
 

Methods and Tools: