SEBI Accessibility Audit Case Studies: IAAP-Led Compliance in Practice

Platform Context

Research Samrat is a SEBI-regulated digital platform that provides investment research, financial analytics, and market intelligence to retail and institutional investors. The platform serves as a critical information source for investment decision-making and is subject to SEBI digital accessibility requirements under investor protection frameworks.

The platform includes complex data visualizations, interactive charting tools, research reports in PDF format, filterable data tables, and authenticated user account functionality. Accessibility compliance was required across all investor-facing features to ensure persons with disabilities could access research content and analytical tools on equal terms.

Audit Scope

The accessibility audit evaluated the platform's public website, authenticated investor portal, research report repository, interactive data visualization components, search and filtering functionality, account management interfaces, and digital documents published in PDF format.

Audit coverage included critical user journeys such as platform registration, research report discovery and download, chart interaction and data extraction, portfolio screening, and investor communication. Testing was conducted across desktop browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) and mobile platforms (iOS and Android).

Standards and Frameworks Applied

The audit evaluated the platform against WCAG 2.1 Level AA (50 success criteria at Level A and Level AA), with selective evaluation of WCAG 2.2 criteria relevant to platform functionality. Findings were cross-referenced with IS 17802:2021 provisions to ensure alignment with India's national accessibility standard.

GIGW 3.0 principles were applied to document accessibility evaluation, form design assessment, and multimedia content where present. The audit framework ensured comprehensive standards alignment required for SEBI compliance and legal defensibility under the RPwD Act.

Key Accessibility Challenges Identified

The audit identified accessibility barriers across several categories. Interactive data visualizations and charting components presented keyboard navigation challenges and lacked sufficient screen reader announcements for dynamic data updates. Complex tables required improved semantic structure and column header associations to support assistive technology comprehension.

PDF research reports exhibited structural accessibility deficiencies including missing document tags, improper reading order, inadequate alternative text for charts and graphs, and insufficient heading hierarchy. Form controls lacked explicit label associations in certain contexts, and error messaging required enhancement for screen reader clarity.

Color contrast ratios fell below WCAG AA thresholds in specific interface elements, and focus indicators required strengthening to meet visibility requirements for keyboard navigation users. Mobile accessibility testing revealed touch target sizing issues and orientation lock constraints that violated mobile-specific WCAG criteria.

Remediation and Validation Approach

Remediation was conducted based on detailed guidance provided in the audit findings report. IAAP-certified auditors provided WCAG technique references, code-level recommendations, and assistive technology testing criteria for each identified barrier.

The development team addressed identified issues systematically, prioritizing critical barriers affecting essential investor functionality. PDF remediation involved document retagging, reading order correction, alternative text addition for visual content, and heading structure implementation using PDF accessibility tools.

Validation testing was conducted by the same IAAP-certified auditors who performed the initial audit, ensuring independent verification of remediation quality. Validation included re-testing all previously identified barriers, assistive technology testing with JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver, and regression testing to confirm no new barriers were introduced during remediation.

Outcome and Compliance Status

Following remediation and validation, the platform achieved WCAG 2.1 Level AA conformance across evaluated user journeys and content. Compliance documentation included a comprehensive audit findings report, remediation tracking matrix, validation testing summary, and standards mapping to IS 17802:2021 and WCAG criteria.

The compliance documentation package is submission-ready for SEBI regulatory review, supports legal defensibility under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act. The platform now maintains an accessibility statement documenting conformance status, known limitations, and feedback mechanisms for accessibility issues.

Platform Context

Market Minds is a SEBI-regulated platform serving investors through educational content, financial planning tools, investment calculators, and portfolio management functionality. The platform operates under SEBI investor protection mandates requiring accessible digital services for all investors regardless of disability status. Accessibility compliance was essential to ensure equitable access to investor education and financial planning resources.

Audit Scope

The audit covered public investor-education content, interactive calculators, the authenticated user portal, the video library, PDFs (guides and worksheets), the iOS and Android mobile apps, and investor support interfaces. Key journeys included content discovery and consumption, calculator input and result interpretation, account creation and authentication, document download, accessible video viewing, and help-desk communication. Testing validated accessibility across both desktop and mobile experiences.

Standards and Frameworks Applied

Evaluation followed WCAG 2.1 Level AA, with additional reference to WCAG 2.2 for accessible authentication, consistent help mechanisms, and reducing redundant data entry. Findings were mapped to applicable IS 17802:2021 requirements for educational content and financial tools. GIGW 3.0 principles informed checks for multimedia accessibility (captions, transcripts, and audio descriptions), document accessibility, and cognitive accessibility considerations for calculators and complex information.

Key Accessibility Challenges Identified

Multimedia accessibility was a key gap: educational videos lacked synchronized captions, transcripts, and audio descriptions where visual-only demonstrations were used. Calculator workflows presented barriers such as missing or unclear input labels, insufficient validation feedback, and dynamic results that were not announced to screen readers. Mobile testing highlighted gesture-dependent interactions without equivalent alternatives and touch targets that were too small in compact layouts. Cognitive accessibility issues included complex financial language and multi-step flows without clear guidance or progress cues.

Remediation and Validation Approach

Remediation followed WCAG techniques to remove the identified barriers across content, forms, media, and mobile UI. Videos were improved with professional captioning, transcripts, and audio descriptions where appropriate. Calculator remediation included explicit label associations, clearer validation and error messaging, live-region announcements for dynamic outputs, keyboard-accessible controls, and improved focus management. PDFs were remediated through structured tagging and alternative text authoring, while mobile updates added gesture alternatives, larger touch targets, and orientation flexibility. Validation repeated the same audit methodology, with IAAP-certified auditors confirming fixes using assistive technologies and conformance checks.

Outcome and Compliance Status

Following remediation and re-testing, the platform achieved WCAG 2.1 Level AA conformance, with focused improvements for multimedia and cognitive accessibility. The resulting experience better supports investors with visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive disabilities across web and mobile. Flexxited delivered SEBI submission-ready documentation including the final audit report, remediation evidence, validation results, and an ongoing accessibility improvement plan. The platform’s accessibility statement now clearly communicates current conformance status and continuous improvement commitments.

Platform Context

Finclave is a SEBI-regulated fintech platform incorporating trading functionality, investment portfolio management, transaction execution, and account services for retail investors. As a platform facilitating securities transactions, accessibility compliance is mandatory under SEBI investor protection requirements and financial inclusion mandates.

Platform complexity includes real-time market data displays, order placement interfaces, portfolio dashboards with dynamic updates, transaction histories, document repositories for contract notes and statements, and secure authentication mechanisms. Accessibility across all trading and account management functions was required for regulatory compliance.

Audit Scope

The audit evaluated trading interfaces, order placement workflows, market data visualization components, portfolio management dashboards, transaction history interfaces, document repositories, mobile trading applications, and authentication and security mechanisms.

Critical user journeys included account opening and KYC submission, market research and security selection, order placement and modification, portfolio monitoring and rebalancing, transaction review and confirmation, and document access for regulatory disclosures. Testing validated accessibility across web platforms and native mobile applications.

Standards and Frameworks Applied

Audit methodology applied WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the conformance baseline, with evaluation of WCAG 2.2 criteria for accessible authentication (relevant to secure login processes), focus appearance (critical for trading interfaces with numerous interactive elements), and target size (essential for mobile trading accuracy).

IS 17802:2021 mapping provided India-specific regulatory context, while GIGW 3.0 principles informed document accessibility evaluation for contract notes, account statements, and regulatory disclosures delivered in digital formats.

Key Accessibility Challenges Identified

Trading interface accessibility presented unique challenges. Real-time market data updates required proper ARIA live region implementation to announce price changes to screen reader users without overwhelming auditory feedback. Order placement forms demanded precise keyboard navigation, clear focus management, and unambiguous error prevention for high-stakes transactions.

Dynamic portfolio dashboards required semantic structure for data tables, keyboard-accessible chart interactions, and screen reader announcements for balance and position updates. Color-coding used to indicate profit/loss required additional non-color indicators to meet WCAG requirements for users with color vision deficiencies.

Authentication mechanisms, while secure, presented accessibility barriers including CAPTCHA implementations without accessible alternatives, time-limited one-time password entry without sufficient extension capabilities.

Document accessibility for contract notes and statements revealed structural deficiencies in automated PDF generation processes. Mobile trading applications exhibited touch target sizing violations in dense interface layouts and gesture-dependent shortcuts without alternative access methods.

Remediation and Validation Approach

Remediation of trading interfaces required careful balance between accessibility requirements and platform functionality. ARIA live regions were calibrated to provide meaningful announcements without disrupting user workflow. Order placement interfaces were enhanced with explicit labels, clear error prevention dialogs, and confirmation mechanisms designed for assistive technology clarity.

Authentication accessibility improvements included implementation of accessible CAPTCHA alternatives (audio CAPTCHA, logic puzzles), extended time limits with user-controlled extensions, and keyboard-accessible multi-factor authentication flows. These changes maintained security integrity while meeting accessibility standards.

PDF generation processes were modified to produce tagged, structured documents with proper reading order and alternative text for visual elements. Mobile application remediation expanded touch targets, provided gesture alternatives, and improved focus management in trading workflows.

Validation testing by IAAP-certified auditors included scenario-based testing of complete trading workflows with assistive technologies, verification of accessible authentication under various user conditions, and cross-platform validation across desktop and mobile environments.

Outcome and Compliance Status

The platform achieved WCAG 2.1 Level AA conformance across trading, portfolio management, and account services functionality. Accessibility improvements enhanced usability for all investors while specifically enabling independent access for persons with disabilities.

Compliance documentation demonstrates SEBI regulatory alignment, includes comprehensive audit and validation evidence, and supports ongoing accessibility governance as the platform evolves. The platform's accessibility commitment is formalized through published accessibility statements and designated accessibility feedback channels.