Respondus is committed to ensuring that LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor meet the diverse accessibility needs of all learners. Our accessibility program includes regular testing (by internal and third-party teams) in order to achieve conformance to regulations and accessibility standards. Processes are in place to track defects and to work toward timely remediation.

LockDown Browser is a client application installed to a user’s computing device. It is based on the Chromium Embedded Framework (CEF) and renders content nearly identically to other browsers based on CEF (eg. Chrome, Edge).

Respondus Monitor is a web application that builds upon the LockDown Browser technology. When an exam requires the use of both LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor, examinees go through a “startup sequence” that guides them through a webcam check and other requirements by the instructor.

From an end-user's standpoint (and hence, from an accessibility standpoint), the technology for LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor are essentially the same.

Integrations with Learning Management Systems (LMS)

LockDown Browser displays exam content within the Learning Management System nearly identically to Google Chrome. The Learning Management System itself is responsible for making its tools and content accessible. Our compliance testing does not encompass tools or content within the learning system itself.

Respondus partners with ABILITY Digital Accessibility Co. (formerly Online ADA), experts in user accessibility and compliance. Every six months, ABILITY will audit, produce and certify the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) for LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor. This ensures our accessibility documentation is kept up to date, and can alert us to issues missed with internal accessibility testing.

LockDown Browser & Respondus Monitor – VPAT

Certification of WCAG 2.1 Level A and AA Conformance

The VPAT demonstrates that LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor meet the basic standards for web accessibility. But that’s only part of our story. Some assistive technologies have toolbars or features that compromise a locked browser environment. That’s why Respondus works with third-party accessibility vendors to ensure seamless compatibility and exam security. Some of these partnerships include:

Accessibility Knowledge Base Article

Respondus maintains a knowledge base article that provides the latest details on how LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor work with various assistive technologies.

If you have a question not addressed by this article, please email [email protected].