Matrix Question Types and Accessibility

Question

Greetings XM Community,I’ve got a lengthy survey that I am working on for our Academic Records office.  Most of the questions are ranking on a scale (i.e. Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor, n/a).  I was researching accessibility and applying that to the survey by using a multiple choice drop-down list but am afraid it’s going to result in less completes due to the length.Matrix carousel looks better and easier to navigate through, but is it truly an accessible question?  From what I read it’s a better choice if using a matrix but still not great.  Some sources said not to use the matrix type at all.Thoughts or suggestions appreciated, thank you!!

rochak_khandelwal · Accepted Answer

Hi Pamela,You’re spot on: matrix carousel doeslookcleaner and may feel smoother to some users, but it’s still far from perfect on the accessibility front. From what I’ve seen (and tested), screen reader support can be inconsistent, especially depending on the device/browser combination. The keyboard navigation is better than traditional matrix, but still not fully intuitive.If accessibility is a core concern — especially WCAG 2.2AA compliance — breaking the matrix intosingle-select multiple choice questions(one per row/item) tends to be the safest route. Yes, it adds to survey length, but paired with good sectioning and progress indicators, I’ve found completion rates don’t necessarily take a hit. Also, it improves mobile usability quite a bit.That said, if you’re locked into matrix for scale consistency or analysis reasons, then carousel is at least a better compromise than standard matrix.— Rochak

pamelalbeck · Answer

​@rochak_khandelwalExcellent points, really appreciate your insight on this.

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