Webex partners with Applause to boost product accessibility

Applause and Webex by Cisco have announced a collaboration to enhance the user experience of Webex's products, focusing on improving accessibility for people with disabilities.

The partnership involves Applause recruiting testers with disabilities to provide authentic feedback on Webex applications under real-world conditions. This initiative has facilitated Webex's integration of digital accessibility into its video conferencing and collaboration tools. Consistent adherence to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines has been achieved, and conformance testing is now being extended to other standards like the European Accessibility Act, which will come into force in June 2025.

As part of the expanded contract, Applause will conduct ongoing conformance assessments of additional products within the Webex Suite to meet evolving accessibility standards. Applause's approach aims to deliver insights earlier in product development to support Cisco's inclusivity and design goals.

Travis Isaacs, Chief Design Officer at Webex by Cisco, said, "At Webex, we focus on people and improving their collaboration experiences. This focus fuels our innovation to remove the barriers of geography, language, personality and familiarity with technology. Building on our mutual vision to enhance employee experiences, Cisco and Applause are expanding our partnership to encourage equitable collaboration for all."

The collaboration covers various programs, devices, and app integrations that support various communication needs, from one-on-one calls to large-scale events. Applause's testing solutions allow Webex's design and engineering teams to include people with disabilities (PWD) in design, testing, and user experience research while managing costs effectively.

Applause leverages a community of independent testers who bring diverse global perspectives and test compatibility with various devices, operating systems, and platform configurations. This diverse testing pool allows Webex to align its products with the needs of its broad user base.

Bob Farrell, Vice President of Solution Delivery and Accessibility at Applause, said, "At Applause, we want to make sure apps, devices, and experiences are not just functional and intuitive, but that they are also enjoyable and perform optimally for everyone, everywhere."

"Helping Cisco and its iconic Webex brand make good on its commitment to inclusivity has been incredibly rewarding. Our ability to engage experts and end users in our community who can provide highly relevant, actionable feedback drives comprehensive quality – and speed, with fewer and fewer bugs to address before launch."

This partnership has resulted in Cisco achieving consistent compliance for eight Webex products, tripling the number of 'Accessibility Champions' within the company. These champions ensure inclusivity is a core part of the product development process.