Responding to accessibility issues in evidence synthesis
Recommendations
For authors
- A PRISMA flow chart diagram can be presented as a table (example, figure 1 and Appendix 2)
Accessibility improvements identified
Area | Technical issue | Relevance to end-users |
|---|---|---|
| Covidence | Headings have been added to titles on screening pages | Because headings have been added, blind screen reader users can more easily navigate through the titles list in the screening interfaces. |
| Tricco et al., (2018). PRISMA extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR): checklist and explanation. Annals of Internal Medicine | Browser crashed when using the JAWS screen reader | Because the website was revised, researchers who use the JAWS screen reader can now read the HTML-based article without their browser crashing. |
| PRESS Review | A standard PRESS document was not accessible | A more accessible version of a PRESS review is available as a Word document (email mweiler@wlu.ca) |
| Zotero 7 | Numerous issues | Screen reader users will find significant improvements with Zotero 7. While much more usable, there are still issues that will affect the efficiency, effectiveness, and satisfaction of using Zotero with a screen reader. |
Third-party assessments
- Web of Science evaluation review (Dec 31, 2023) by UTK User Experience Lab, commissioned by the Library Accessibility Alliance
- Zotero 7 high-level review (October 18, 2025) by the UTK User Experience Lab, commissioned by the Library Accessibility Alliance. Note: The Laurier Library has identified more granular level issues and reported them
Statements
Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions, HTML (reported being built with accessibility in mind)
Problems
- While there are many significant improvements with it, Zotero 7.0 continues to have some issues that affect the screen reader user experiences