Accessibility
Аccessibility is a concept allowing most users to access technologies, including people with physical and perceptual disabilities and sensory sensitivity.
Our goal is to make VK’s websites and services accessible to the largest possible number of users.
People with perceptual disabilities form a significant part of our audience. It is essential for all VK products to be comfortable for them to use as well. But accessibility is not only about people with disabilities.
We all face temporary or situational limitations.
Increasing accessibility allows people to use services when their capabilities are limited, such as when their hands are full.
Permanent limitations
Temporary limitations
Situational limitations
Permanent limitations
Temporary limitations
Situational limitations
Permanent limitations
Temporary limitations
Situational limitations
Permanent limitations
Temporary limitations
Situational limitations
- Hearing
- Voice
- Sense of touch
- Vision
-
Permanent limitations
Hearing loss -
Temporary limitations
Otitis -
Situational limitations
Loud noise
-
Permanent limitations
Inability to speak -
Temporary limitations
Laryngitis -
Situational limitations
Strong accent
-
Permanent limitations
Missing a hand -
Temporary limitations
Broken arm -
Situational limitations
Hands full
-
Permanent limitations
Blindness -
Temporary limitations
Cataract -
Situational limitations
Sleep deprivation
Our projects are always evolving to become more convenient and accessible for a variety of people.
-
Odnoklassniki
Apps have been tested for their accessibility for blind users and people with mobility impairments
-
Mail.ru app
Android app has become more accessible to blind users and people with mobility impairments.
-
Marusia voice assistant
Marusia is built into the Mail.ru app - she helps users sort their emails, turn on the music or the radio and can also search the Internet for answers to any questions
-
VK
App for Android has become more accessible for blind users and people with mobility impairments
-
VK Video
The service allows users to automatically add subtitles to their uploaded videos. Even without sound users can understand what is happening in the video
-
VK Messenger
Voice messages can be converted into text in the service
Social glossary (in Russian)
Download glossary
We have compiled a glossary of social terms to reduce communication barriers for everyone. The key in our approach is that we prioritize the person over their diagnoses, ailments, and peculiarities.
Articles on increasing accessibility (in Russian)
VK has an internal community dedicated to accessibility. It helps the VK team go deeper into the topic, get to know our users with perception differences, and discover how people engage with interfaces in various ways.
We are starting to publish articles and community practices on VC.ru to share experience with colleagues from other companies.
Feedback on accessibility changes
VK is a community for millions of very diverse people. We strive to create projects that would be beneficial to all of them.
The sky is the limit when it comes to improving accessibility and we always welcome feedback. Only by working together can we ensure that digital services are available to everyone without exception.
Contact usWould you like to test VK services for accessibility?
Take the admission test and explore a crash course in testing from the VK QA team. Improve VK products by applying for an internship with the VK Team.
VK Testers is a beta testing program for VK products, as well as any other developers. All test result reports are directly shared with development teams.
Learn more
