Accessibility Statement
RefWorks Accessibility Statement
All researchers, regardless of ability, need access to scholarly information. Clarivate is committed to providing all our users with a fully accessible experience for research, teaching and learning.
At Clarivate, we make every effort to ensure that our platforms – including RefWorks – can be used by everyone. RefWorks is continually designed and developed to meet Level AA of the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.2).
Accessibility features and gaps
Users of RefWorks should be able to:
- navigate most of the website using just a keyboard.
- listen to most of the website using a screen reader.
- navigate most of the website using speech recognition software.
- zoom in up to 125% using browser tools without text spilling off screen.
There may be some parts of this website that are not fully accessible:
- some content and functionality may not be accessible using just a keyboard
- many pages do not have unique page titles
- some information about the name and state of interactive elements, such as accordions, dropdown menus, input fields, etc., may not be available to screen readers
- at high magnifications, zoom may interfere with access to content and features
- the layout of the website adjusts to fit comfortably in an iPad view. It is not designed for a mobile device; therefore, the text will not reflow in a single column when you minimize the size of the browser window
- most older PDF documents are not fully accessible to screen reader software
- some of our online forms are difficult to navigate using just a keyboard
- you cannot skip to the main content using skip links
If you have a disability and need to make your computer, tablet or other device easier to use, AbilityNet is a recommended resource. We also recommend browsing free add-ons offered for Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.
Technical Information about this product’s accessibility
RefWorks is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with:
- Level A and Level AA of the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.2)
- Section 508 of the US Rehabilitation Act for features and functions.
- The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- EU Directive on the accessibility of the websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies 2016
- UK Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No.2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.
This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines v2.2 at levels A and AA. See the full Accessibility Compliance Report (VPAT 2.5 and WCAG) for RefWorks details.
How we tested this platform
The accessibility of RefWorks is a continual effort at Clarivate. Accessibility standards are built into our design, and style guides and included as part of requirements in our software development and quality assurance pipeline.
RefWorks code is checked for accessibility using a range of automated and manual checks including but not limited to:
- Color Contrast Analyzers provided by Deque and Chrome extension
- Deque axe accessibility testing tools
- High Contrast Chrome extension
- Keyboard-access manual testing and assessment
- WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation tool) provided by WebAIM
- Screen readers such as Narrator and VoiceOver
RefWorks is tested on the latest versions of Firefox, Safari, Chrome, and Edge, and on devices including Mac and Windows computers.
The website was last tested in November 2024. The test was carried out internally at Clarivate.
Accessibility of RefWorks
This section provides additional details about the accessible RefWorks features.
Keyboard navigation
Features related to key tasks in RefWorks and its add-ons and support resources are navigable with just a keyboard. The Tab, Enter/Return, and the arrow keys can be used to:
RefWorks
- Navigate the utility toolbar and Reference Actions
- Upload PDFs
- Import references directly from a third-party database
- Edit a reference while in viewing references in the Full View layout
- Assign references to a folder (from Reference Actions)
- Change how references are displayed (Normal, Table, Citation, and Full View)
- Create citations and a bibliography in the desired citation style
- View a PDF and navigate through comments (inserted via RefWorks)
Save to RefWorks bookmarklet
- Edit reference fields when importing a single reference
- Select references from a list of containing multiple references
RCM and RCM Hangul (Windows)
- Insert and edit in-text and footnote citations
- Change Projects and folders
- Change the current citation style
- Note: In RCM Hangul, you must tab through all the main menu options before reaching the main content of the screen
RCM (Mac)
- Change Projects and folders
- Change the citation style
- Insert and edit in-text and footnote citations
If you need to navigate RefWorks add-ons using only a keyboard, we recommend getting familiar with the keyboard shortcuts available in Word and Google Docs.
Please see the Non-accessible Content section for areas where keyboard navigation is incomplete.
Screen readers
In addition to visible content, RefWorks has background data that can support accessibility by being detectable by screen readers. This data includes hidden landmarks, descriptions of state (“this section is collapsed”), and other code.
RefWorks and its add-ons and support resources were tested using the latest screen reader versions. The following reader and browser combinations were tested.
Platform/Browser/Screen Reader combinations:
|
Product |
Testing combination |
|
RefWorks |
Windows 10 + Edge + Narrator & iOS Sonoma + Chrome + VoiceOver |
|
Save to RefWorks |
Windows 10 + Edge + Narrator & iOS Sonoma + Chrome + VoiceOver |
|
RCM for Google Docs |
Windows 10 + Edge + Narrator & iOS Sonoma + Chrome + VoiceOver |
|
RCM for Word (Windows) |
Windows 10 + Edge + Narrator |
|
RCM for Word (Mac) |
iOS Sonoma + Chrome + VoiceOver |
|
RCM Hangul (Windows) |
Windows 10 + Edge + Narrator + Hangul Word Processing (HWP) |
Magnification
The RefWorks interface was developed to be viewed comfortably on a tablet; it was not designed for use on mobile devices. While the website only supports a limited zoom level (125%), the following RefWorks add-ons support higher magnifications (using built-in browser settings, such as CTRL +/- for Windows and Command +/- for Macs) without text spilling off-screen.:
- With the exception of the login screen, Save to RefWorks bookmarklet supports a zoom up to 300%
- RCM for Google Docs supports a zoom up to 400% unless a smaller window (or pop-up) appears above the main screen. When a pop-up is present, zooming in more than 175% may lead to hidden or overlapping content.
- When using Word online, RCM supports a zoom up to 175%.
Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox offer magnification add-ons.
Colors, Contrasts and Fonts
RefWorks continuously improves stylesheet to meet minimum contrast specifications. Adjusting these aspects can also be changed using the built-in browser settings. Some browser extensions are available to change color and contrast options.
Non-accessible Content
This section provides additional details about the RefWorks content and features that are not fully accessible, and workarounds when available. There are current development efforts and future plans to remediate these items.
Keyboard navigation
The following functionality is not accessible by keyboard-only navigation:
RefWorks
Adding references
- Upload reference files, such as .ris and .nbib
- Assign references to folder during import
Managing Folders
- Customize the order of folders
Navigating references and reference details
- Citation view: Edit a reference containing a ‘missing data’ alert.
- Navigate to a ‘missing data’ alert in the desired reference.
- Press Enter/Return to open the Reference Editor pane. Focus will be placed on the input field missing data.
Create bibliography
- Differentiate authors with the same surname
PDF Viewer
- Zoom in/out, print, download, highlight, or add comments to the PDF. Workaround:
- Use a screen reader to access the PDF Viewer toolbar with arrow keys
Tools
- Install the Save to RefWorks bookmarklet in your browser
- Unable to close modal after clicking the Save to RefWorks button in tools.
Save to RefWorks
- Export references to RefWorks. Workaround:
- Save to RefWorks, Import, and Close button are accessible by keyboard when using a screen reader and arrow keys
- Assign references to a folder
- Edit the metadata of an individual reference (when a list of multiple references are displayed)
RCM for Word (Windows)
- Insert/Remove bibliography
- Add references to an existing citation
- If using a screen reader, accordions may become locked when editing a citation containing multiple references
- In Word 365 v16.0.13127.21668 and earlier, active focus automatically moves from the citation (content control in the document) to the RCM pane.
RCM Hangul (Windows)
- Insert/Remove bibliography
- Add references to an existing citation
- Elements and functionality are not accessible by keyboard when using the NVDA screen reader. Workaround:
- The screen reader Windows Narrator is compatible with RCM Hangul
RCM for Word (Mac)
- Add references to an existing citation
- Navigate through the reference list. Workaround:
- Submit a search query and navigate to references included in search results
We continuously work on improving keyboard accessibility. If you have any feedback, please let us know through our contact details provided in the Support and Feedback section below.
PDF Viewer and Screen Readers
Screen readers do not have access to content in PDFs displayed in the RefWorks PDF viewer. Workaround:
- Activate the print icon in the PDF toolbar to open the PDF in the browser's PDF viewer
- If the PDF content is accessible, a screen reader will now be able to read its contents
- Note: Highlights and comments created in the RefWorks PDF viewer will not be visible the browser PDF viewer
General Issues
- Color contrast issues, specifically hint text in input fields
- Names, roles, and states may not be discernible by a screen reader
- RefWorks is not mobile-responsive
2025 Accessibility Roadmap
RefWorks
|
Issue Description |
Status |
Remediation Timeline |
WCAG 2.2 Criteria |
|
Copy/Move References/Folders: Accessible projects & folders dropdown widgets |
Scheduled
|
Q1 2025
|
2.1.1 Keyboard (A)
|
|
Create duplicate in preview pane is not read by Screen readers |
Scheduled |
Q1 2025
|
1.1.1 Non-text Content (A) |
|
Find Duplicates: Results close button |
Scheduled |
Q2 2025 |
2.1.1 Keyboard (A)
|
|
Create account panels - page focus |
Scheduled |
Q4 2025 |
2.1.1 Keyboard (A)
|
RCM for Word
Nothing additional planned for accessibility for RCm for Word.
RCM for Google Docs
Nothing additional planned for accessibility for Google Docs.
Save to RefWorks
Nothing additional planned for accessibility for Save to RefWorks.
What We’re Doing to Improve Accessibility at Clarivate
Making content accessible is an ongoing effort at Clarivate. We’re committed to working with the community to ensure we continue to meet our customers’ needs. Our ongoing efforts include:
- The Clarivate Accessibility Council: a team of stakeholders working to increase accessibility resources and capabilities.
- Building relationships with colleges, universities, publishers and digital accessibility organizations to help make our educational solutions as accessible as they can be.
- Foster an accessibility culture within the business by funding courses and certification for employees e.g. Deque University courses, IAAP (International Association of Accessibility Professionals) CPACC and WAS qualifications.
- Consulting with accessibility experts such as Deque to audit and review our products.
- Accessibility is embedded in our development process. Our acceptance of new features and functionality requires compliance with WCAG 2.2 AA.
Support and Feedback
If you have difficulty accessing specific Clarivate content or features with adaptive technology after trying the workarounds suggested in this statement, you can contact us using the links provided below. Our support services will respond within three days and are available to accommodate the communication needs of end users with disabilities. We will work with you to identify the best option for remediation, subject to content licensing restrictions and technical capability.
Online and Chat: https://support.proquest.com/s//refworks
Email: support@refworks.com
Phone:
United States & Canada (toll-free):
+1 800 889 3358
Outside North America:
+800 4997 4111 or +1 734-707-2513
Preparation of this Accessibility Statement
This accessibility statement was prepared on December 17, 2024. It was last reviewed and updated on December 17, 2024.