Accessibility
Accessibility 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
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
Android app has become more accessible to blind users and people with mobility impairments.
Marusia voice assistant
Marusia is built into the Mail 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
VKontakte
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
Articles on increasing accessibility (in Russian)
Learn moreVK 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
Maria Arnapolskaya
Curator of remote learning computer literacy classes for blind users
I am very glad that VK has focused on expanding accessibility for its users. It's especially nice since this is our local company, which aspires to be accessible and helpful for every user.
Kirill Belousov
iOS developer and bronze medal winner at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro
I remember when VK was virtually inaccessible to screen readers and you had to use workarounds to use its web version comfortably.
It's fantastic that major Russian companies are increasingly paying attention to accessibility concerns and trying more and more to make using their services convenient for everyone.
I am very glad that VK is becoming more accessible today, and the team is working hard to make the largest Russian social network accessible and convenient for everyone.
Yaroslava Leshkova
Director at Na Zhestah NGO
Transcribing audio messages into text is my favorite VK feature. As well as adding personal subtitles to uploaded videos. It's very convenient!
Denis Redkin
Accessible environment expert, project manager at Deystvuy! foundation
Аccessibility is an important standard that needs to be considered in all services. It's encouraging to see VK being a catalyst to make its services more accessible to everyone.
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
Social glossary (in Russian)
Download glossaryWe 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.