Accessibility Statement for Grade Varbi

Introduction 

At Grade, we want as many people as possible to be able to use our products, regardless of their circumstances. 
This report outlines the ongoing accessibility work for Grade Varbi, the product’s current level of accessibility, and the gaps we have identified. Please note that some of the references listed in this document are only available in Swedish. 

Current Laws and Regulations 

The EU Directive 2016/2102 on the accessibility of public sector websites and mobile applications was published in December 2016. It requires that websites and apps published by public sector actors within the EU be accessible to as many users as possible. 

In Sweden, this directive is implemented through the Act (2018:1937) on Accessibility to Digital Public Services (the DOS Act), which came into force on 1 January 2019. The DOS Act applies not only to public authorities, regions, and municipalities but also to private actors whose activities are state-funded or meet public needs, such as healthcare and education providers. 

For new websites, the law has applied since 23 September 2019. Websites published before 23 September 2018, such as Varbi, have been required to meet the requirements since 23 September 2020. 

The requirements are based on the European standard EN 301 549, which incorporates the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). WCAG includes three levels of compliance—A, AA, and AAA—where AAA represents the highest level of accessibility. To comply with the DOS Act, organizations must meet at least levels A and AA of WCAG 2.1. 

In addition to WCAG, EN 301 549 includes other requirements, such as ensuring that accessibility features remain intact after major updates. 

Grade Varbi’s Accessibility Work 

Since May 2017, Grade Varbi has actively worked to make the system accessible to as many users as possible. We have hired a specialist in digital accessibility who is fully blind and experienced with assistive technologies such as screen readers and Braille displays. 

Accessibility tests are performed continuously as updates are released, with all efforts guided by the standards outlined in the DOS Act. 

External Web Interface 

Current Accessibility 

In summer 2019, we reviewed our candidate-facing external web interface against WCAG levels A and AA. Issues identified during the review were addressed, and ongoing checks ensure that accessibility is maintained. 

As of May 2025, Varbi’s external web interface is partially compliant with the DOS Act. Candidates using screen readers can create and manage profiles, submit and edit applications, and use the messaging function. Key interface elements such as buttons, links, and form fields have text-based labels for screen reader compatibility. 

The system also includes tools to help customers create accessible job ads, including multi-level headings with correct coding and functions for adding descriptive text to top images, which screen readers can interpret. 

Known Shortcomings 

Despite significant progress, some areas require further improvement: 

• Page Titles 
  Some pages lack concise, descriptive titles as required by WCAG 2.4.2. We will review and update these titles. 

• Form Field Purpose 
  While all fields have text labels, their specific purposes are not always clear in the underlying code (WCAG 1.3.5). We plan to enhance this by adding attributes such as autocomplete for more detailed input guidance. 

• Required Fields 
  Required fields are indicated in labels, but the information is in a separate element, which some screen readers may not read. We will merge this information into the main label. 

• Language Table Markup 
  The language proficiency table in the application form is not properly coded as a table (WCAG 1.3.1). We will correct the markup to enable full screen reader navigation. 

• Ad Sharing Links 
  Labels for social media and email sharing links are unclear. We will revise them to ensure clarity. 

• Varbi Video 
  Our optional Varbi Video service, powered by Video Intakes, generally works with screen readers but includes issues such as unlabeled buttons and disrupted screen reader focus during recording. We will address these with the vendor and explore improvements within our control. 

Internal Administration Interface 

Our recruiter-facing internal administration interface is also partially compliant with the DOS Act as of May 2025. Work to achieve full compliance is ongoing. 

Career Pages 

We provide customizable career pages for customers. These are designed using templates that support accessible headings and some image text alternatives. Certain elements, however, require development team adjustments to meet full accessibility standards. We are working on further solutions to ensure these pages are as accessible as possible. 

Reporting Accessibility Issues 

Accessibility is a priority for Grade. We welcome questions, feedback, and reports of accessibility issues. 

If you discover a problem or have suggestions, please contact us at support@varbi.com and describe where in the system you encountered the issue and how it affects your experience. We will work with you to find the best solution. 

Contact: 
Niklas Gårdelid 
Specialist in Digital Accessibility, Grade AB