Third-Party Applications and Accessibility Barriers

Third-party applications can offer everything from enhanced productivity tools to on-demand entertainment. But what happens when these add-ons create unintended consequences?

While third-party applications can enhance functionality, they can create accessibility barriers for users with disabilities.

In this post, we'll explore what third-party applications are, weigh the pros and cons, and discuss the accessibility challenges they can sometimes introduce. Finally, we'll offer some helpful advice on selecting the right third-party application for your needs.

A third-party application is a web-based technology not exclusively owned, operated, or controlled by an organizational entity that uses it on its website.

Types of Third-party Applications

Calendars
Social media feeds
Payment gateways
Maps and location services
Lead generation services
News services

Advantages

Saves development time and money.
Helps you get your product to market quicker.
You are not responsible for maintenance and updates.
Third-party applications can give your users access to features that might be beyond the in-house developers' skills.

Disadvantages

Limited control in esthetics, interoperability, accessibility, interface update schedule, etc.
Dependency - if the third-party leaves the business or changes their policies, it could impact your website.
Licensing / purchase costs can be high.
Privacy concerns - sharing your users’ data with a third party.
Accessibility issues.

Common Accessibility Barriers Introduced by Third-Party Applications

Lack of keyboard navigation: Many applications rely on mouse clicks, excluding users who navigate with keyboards or assistive technologies.
Keyboard traps: Many embedded applications cause the keyboard focus to get "trapped" within the content and offer no way to release the focus.
Missing or incorrect ALT text: Applications like maps or social media feeds may lack alternative text descriptions for images or non-text content.
Color contrast issues: Third-party applications might not follow the same color contrast standards as your website, making the content difficult for visually impaired users.
Incompatible with assistive technologies: Screen readers or other assistive technologies might not be able to interact effectively with the application.

Strategies for Mitigating Accessibility Barriers

Clearly state the level of accessibility compliance your organization adheres to in all contracts and Requests for Proposals.
Research accessibility features of third-party applications before integrating them.
Look for vendors who provide an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) using a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) to outline their accessibility compliance.
Suppose you have no choice but to implement a third-party application containing accessibility barriers. In that case, you will want to require remediation (along with a deadline for that to be completed) from the vendor as part of the sales agreement. You will also want to add a penalty for non-remediation or a "bonus" of some type for prompt compliance.
Consider alternative solutions: Based on the results of the first two bullet points, ask yourself: Can I achieve the desired functionality with a more accessible option? Can this opt-in be built in-house?
Provide alternative content or information for inaccessible third-party application features. For example, if the application is a calendar, provide a link to an accessible webpage with the details on current events at your organization.

The decision to integrate a third-party application into your website depends on your specific needs and priorities. By carefully weighing the accessibility benefits of your website against the potential drawbacks of third-party tools, you can create an inclusive online experience.

Always keep this in mind: "As a general rule, that which is hosted on a domain that you own is your responsibility." ~ Karl Groves