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Client PortalDocumentation

Your comprehensive guide to managing accessibility with the A3S Client Portal. Learn how to track progress, access reports, and collaborate with your team.

What is the A3S Client Portal?

The A3S Client Portal is your central hub for managing your organization's accessibility program. Think of it as your "command center" where you can see everything related to making your websites and digital content accessible to people with disabilities.

In simple terms: Track progress, download reports, request documents, and communicate with our team, all in one place.

What Can You Do?

Real-time Monitoring

Track accessibility bugs found on your website and see fixes in real-time

Legal Protection

Download official documents proving your accessibility compliance efforts

Document Services

Upload files to have them made accessible by our experts

Download Reports

Get monthly PDF reports to share with stakeholders

Team Access

Invite coworkers to stay informed about progress

Get Help

Submit support tickets for questions or assistance

Pro Tip

Bookmark this page for quick access. Press ⌘D on Mac or Ctrl+D on Windows.

Quick Start Guide

Follow these step-by-step instructions to get started with your A3S Client Portal

Before You Begin

Make sure you have received your login credentials from A3S. If you haven't received an email invitation, contact your A3S representative or email support@a3s.app

You will need:EmailPassword

Step-by-Step: Your First Login

1

Go to the Sign In Page

Open your web browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge) and navigate to the A3S Client Portal.

Type client.a3s.app in your browser's address bar
Or click the "Sign In" button in the top right corner of the A3S website
You will see a sign-in form asking for your email and password
2

Enter Your Credentials

Type your email address and password to access your account.

Click in the "Email" field and type your email address
Click in the "Password" field and type your password
Click the "Sign In" button
Forgot password? Click the "Forgot Password" link below the sign-in button to reset it
3

Arrive at Your Status Page

After signing in successfully, you will automatically be taken to your Status page - your accessibility command center.

The Status page is the first thing you see after logging in. Here's what you'll find:

Key metrics at the top: These show your stats like total pages, bugs found, and remediation progress
Visual charts: These show bug breakdowns by category and severity (you can hover over them to see details)
URL testing progress: See which pages have been tested and remediated

Finding Your Way Around

The Navigation Menu

On the left side of the screen (or at the bottom on mobile phones), you'll see a menu with icons. This is how you move between different sections of the portal:

Status

Your main hub with analytics and progress

Projects

Your websites being monitored

Reports

Monthly accessibility reports

Evidence Locker

Legal documents and VPATs

Remediation

Upload docs for accessibility fixes

Team

Invite and manage team members

Tickets

Support requests and questions

Notifications

Alerts and important updates

Quick Tip: Click the Logo to Go Home

If you ever get lost or want to return to the main Status page, just click the A3S logo in the top left corner of the screen. This will always take you back to your home page.

Dashboard

Core Feature

Overview of your accessibility program metrics and projects

What is the Dashboard?

The Dashboard provides a high-level overview of your accessibility program with key metrics and charts. It's accessible via /dashboard in your browser.

Note: When you first log in, you'll land on the Status page, which offers detailed analytics. The Dashboard provides a simpler, summary view of your projects.

Understanding the Numbers at the Top

When you look at your dashboard, you'll see four big numbers displayed prominently at the top. Here's what each one means in plain English:

Total URLs

This is the number of web pages on your site that we are checking for accessibility bugs. Example: If you see "150", it means we're monitoring 150 pages on your website.

Bugs Found

This is the total number of accessibility problems we've discovered across all your pages. Don't panic if this number is high! The goal is to watch it go down over time as bugs get fixed.

URLs Tested

This shows how many of your pages have been tested so far. Example: If you have 150 Total URLs and 100 URLs Tested, we've checked 100 pages and still have 50 more to go.

URLs Remediated

This is the "good news" number! It shows how many pages have had ALL their accessibility bugs fixed. This is the number you want to see grow!

The Colorful Pie Chart

Below the numbers, you'll see a colorful pie chart. This chart breaks down your accessibility bugs into different categories so you can see what types of problems are most common. Hover your mouse over any colored section to see more details.

What do these categories mean?

  • Screen Reader

    These bugs affect people who are blind and use software that reads web pages aloud. For example: missing descriptions on images.

  • Keyboard Navigation

    These bugs affect people who can't use a mouse and must navigate using only their keyboard. For example: menus that only work with mouse clicks.

  • Color Contrast

    These bugs affect people with low vision or color blindness. For example: light gray text on a white background is hard to read.

  • Text Spacing

    These bugs appear when users adjust text spacing settings for readability. For example: text that overlaps when spacing is increased.

  • Browser Zoom

    These bugs appear when users zoom in on their browser to make content larger. For example: content that gets cut off or overlaps when zoomed to 200%.

  • Automated Tools

    These are technical bugs found by automated scanning tools. For example: missing form labels or duplicate IDs in the code.

Your Projects List

At the bottom of the dashboard, you'll see cards for each of your projects (websites). Each card shows:

  • The website name (like "Company Main Website")
  • A colored status badge (In Progress, Monitoring, Completed, etc.)
  • Quick stats showing bugs and progress

How to View Project Details

To see detailed information about any project, simply click on the project card. This will take you to a page with all the bugs, URLs, and progress information for that specific website.

Projects

Core Feature

Manage and monitor your accessibility projects

What is a Project?

A "Project" in the A3S portal represents one of your websites or web applications that we're monitoring for accessibility. If your company has multiple websites, each one will be a separate project. For example, if you have a main website and a customer portal, those would be two different projects.

How to View Your Projects

  • 1Click on 'Projects' in the left navigation menu (look for the folder icon)
  • 2You'll see a list of all your projects displayed as cards
  • 3Each card shows the project name, status, and quick stats
  • 4Click on any project card to see full details
  • Understanding Project Status

    Each project has a colored status badge that tells you where things stand. Here's what each status means:

    Planning

    This project is being set up. We're determining the scope, identifying pages to test, and preparing to begin the accessibility audit. No action needed from you yet.

    Active

    Our team is actively working on this project! Testing is underway and bugs are being identified and fixed. You'll see the "Bugs Found" number change as we discover and resolve problems.

    Monitoring

    The initial remediation is done! We've fixed the main bugs and are now continuously watching your site for any new problems that might pop up. We'll alert you if something new is found.

    Completed

    The accessibility program for this project has been completed. All contracted work is finished. You can still view all historical data and reports.

    On Hold

    Work on this project has been temporarily paused. This could be due to a website redesign, budget considerations, or other business reasons. Work will resume when ready.

    What You'll See Inside a Project

    When you click on a project, you'll see a detailed page with several tabs:

    Bugs Tab

    This shows all the accessibility problems found on your website, organized by category (Screen Reader, Keyboard, etc.). You can:

    • Click on any bug to see exactly where it is and how to fix it
    • Filter bugs by status (Open, In Progress, Resolved)
    • Search for specific bugs using the search box

    URLs Tab

    This lists every page on your website that's being monitored. You can see:

    • The full URL of each page
    • How many bugs each page has
    • Whether the page has been tested and remediated

    Pro Tip: Use the Back Button

    After viewing a project's details, you can click the back arrow (← ) in your browser or click "Projects" in the navigation menu to return to the list of all projects.

    Bugs

    Core Feature

    Track and understand accessibility bugs across your projects

    What is a "Bug"?

    A "bug" is an accessibility problem we found on your website. Each bug represents something that makes your site difficult or impossible to use for people with disabilities. Our job is to find these bugs and fix them so everyone can use your website.

    How to View Bugs

    There are two ways to see your bugs:

    Option 1: From the Dashboard

    Click on any project card on your dashboard, then click the "Bugs" tab to see all bugs for that project.

    Option 2: From the Projects Page

    Go to Projects → Click on a project → Click the "Bugs" tab.

    Understanding Bug Categories

    We organize bugs into six categories based on what kind of disability they affect. Here's what each category means in plain language:

    Screen Reader Bugs

    These affect assistive technology compatibility. Users who are blind use software that reads web pages out loud. When images don't have descriptions, or buttons don't have labels, the software can't tell the user what's there.

    Common examples: Images without alt text, unlabeled buttons, confusing heading order

    Keyboard Navigation Bugs

    These affect keyboard-only users navigating the interface. People who cannot use a mouse must navigate using only their keyboard (Tab, Enter, and arrow keys). If a button only works when you click it with a mouse, keyboard users can't use it.

    Common examples: Dropdown menus that don't work with keyboard, invisible focus indicators

    Browser Zoom Bugs

    These are bugs appearing when users zoom the browser. People with low vision often zoom their browser to 200% or more. If your website breaks or becomes unusable when zoomed, that's a problem.

    Common examples: Text that gets cut off, content that overlaps, pages that require horizontal scrolling

    Text Spacing Bugs

    These are bugs when text spacing is adjusted by users. Some users with dyslexia or visual impairments increase letter spacing, word spacing, or line height to make text easier to read. Content should remain readable with these adjustments.

    Common examples: Text that overlaps when spacing is increased, content that gets cut off

    Color Contrast Bugs

    These involve insufficient color contrast between elements. People with low vision or color blindness need adequate contrast to read text. If text is light gray on white, or a button uses colors that are too similar, it's hard for these users to see.

    Common examples: Light text on light backgrounds, using only color to show meaning (like red = error)

    Automated Tools Bugs

    These are bugs detected by automated accessibility testing. These are technical problems in the code that automated scanning tools can detect. They're usually things developers need to fix in the HTML or CSS code.

    Common examples: Missing form labels, duplicate element IDs, invalid HTML code

    Understanding Bug Status

    Bugs may have a status label that tells you about their current state. Not all bugs have a status (new bugs are simply in the queue to be addressed). Here are the statuses you might see:

    Fixed

    The bug has been fixed and verified. You can check it off your list! The fix has been implemented on your website.

    Needs Attention

    This bug requires action from your team or needs further review. There may be a question about how to resolve it, or it might need input from your developers.

    3rd Party

    This bug is caused by a third-party component, plugin, or service that you don't control (like an embedded widget, social media plugin, or external tool). These often require contacting the vendor or finding an alternative solution.

    What if a bug has no status?

    If a bug doesn't show a status badge, it means it's been identified and is in the queue to be addressed. Our team works through bugs systematically, prioritizing by severity.

    What You'll See When You Click a Bug

    When you click on any bug to see its details, you'll find:

    • Location: The exact webpage URL and which part of the page has the problem (like "the submit button in the contact form")
    • WCAG Criterion: A code like "1.1.1" that references the specific accessibility rule being violated (you don't need to memorize these!)
    • Description: A plain-language explanation of what the problem is and who it affects
    • Recommendation: Specific instructions on how to fix the bug
    • Screenshot: Often includes a visual showing exactly where the bug is on the page

    Don't Worry About Understanding Everything

    You don't need to understand all the technical details of each bug. That's our job! The bug details are there so your developers can fix things if needed, or so you can understand what we're working on. Feel free to just check the status and let us handle the rest.

    Reports

    Core Feature

    Access your accessibility audit reports and share with stakeholders

    What Are Reports?

    Reports are professional PDF documents that summarize your accessibility status. They're designed to be shared with your boss, stakeholders, or anyone who needs to understand your accessibility efforts without logging into the portal. Think of them as a "report card" you can email or print.

    How to Access Your Reports

  • 1Click on 'Reports' in the left navigation menu (look for the document icon)
  • 2You'll see a list of all your available reports, organized by date
  • 3The most recent report appears at the top of the list
  • 4Click on any report to preview it, or click the download icon to save it
  • When Do I Get New Reports?

    You receive comprehensive accessibility audit reports on a monthly basis. We'll notify you (via the Notifications feature) when a new report is ready. You don't need to do anything to request monthly reports - they're automatically generated for you.

    What's Inside Each Report?

    Each report contains several sections. Here's what you'll find:

    Executive Summary

    This is the "TL;DR" (too long; didn't read) section. It gives a high-level overview of your accessibility status in 1-2 paragraphs. Perfect for executives who just want the highlights.

    Bug Breakdown

    Charts and numbers showing how many bugs were found in each category (Screen Reader, Keyboard, etc.) and their severity levels. Helps you understand what types of problems are most common.

    Progress Tracking

    Shows how you're doing compared to last month. Are bugs going down? How many pages have been fixed? This section shows your improvement over time.

    Recommendations

    A prioritized list of what should be fixed next. We rank bugs by importance so you know where to focus your efforts.

    How to Download a Report

  • 1Find the report you want in the Reports list
  • 2Look for the download icon (a downward arrow) on the right side of the report row
  • 3Click the download icon
  • 4The PDF file will be saved to your computer's Downloads folder
  • 5Open the PDF with any PDF reader (like Adobe Acrobat, Preview on Mac, or your browser)
  • How to Share a Report with Others

    Need to share a report with someone who doesn't have portal access? You have two options:

    Option 1: Download and Email

    Download the PDF to your computer, then attach it to an email. Simple and works for everyone!

    Option 2: Share a Public Link

    Click the "Share" button on any report to generate a special link. Anyone with this link can view the report without needing to log in. Great for quick sharing!

    Pro Tip: Share Reports to Prove Your Commitment

    Accessibility reports are great evidence that your organization takes accessibility seriously. Share them with procurement teams, customers asking about your accessibility, or include them in vendor questionnaires.

    Evidence Locker

    Service

    Legal-grade accessibility documentation for compliance and protection

    What is the Evidence Locker?

    The Evidence Locker is where you get official legal documents that prove your organization is working on accessibility. These aren't regular reports - they're professional-grade documents designed to protect you legally.

    When would I need these? If a customer asks about your accessibility compliance, if you're responding to a procurement questionnaire, or if (worst case) you receive a legal complaint about your website's accessibility.

    How to Access the Evidence Locker

  • 1Click on 'Evidence Locker' in the left navigation menu (look for the shield icon)
  • 2You'll see a list of your existing documents and a button to request new ones
  • 3Click on any document to download it
  • Types of Documents You Can Request

    Here are the different types of documents available and when you'd use each one:

    VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template)

    This is a standardized form that describes how accessible your product is. It goes through each accessibility requirement and explains if you meet it, partially meet it, or don't meet it.

    When to use: When a company asks "Do you have a VPAT?" during their buying process, or when filling out vendor security/accessibility questionnaires.

    Accessibility Summary

    A comprehensive overview of bugs found, resolutions made, and remediation evidence with documentation of your accessibility program progress.

    When to use: Internal presentations to leadership, board meetings, or when you need to show stakeholders what's happening with accessibility.

    Legal Response

    Pre-prepared responses for legal challenges. Includes evidence of your remediation efforts, timelines, and good-faith progress.

    When to use: If you receive a demand letter or legal complaint about accessibility. This document helps your legal team respond with evidence that you're actively addressing bugs.

    Monthly Monitoring

    Ongoing accessibility maintenance reports showing continuous monitoring, maintenance activities, and improvement.

    When to use: To demonstrate that accessibility isn't a one-time project, but an ongoing commitment. Great for annual reviews or compliance audits.

    Audit Report

    Comprehensive accessibility audit findings documenting the full results of accessibility testing on your site.

    When to use: When you need detailed technical documentation of all accessibility bugs found during an audit cycle.

    Remediation Plan

    An action plan for fixing accessibility bugs, including timelines, priorities, and recommended approaches.

    When to use: When you need a roadmap for your development team to follow, or to show stakeholders the plan for addressing bugs.

    How to Request a New Document

    Follow these step-by-step instructions to request a document:

    1. 1
      Click the "Request Document" button

      This button is at the top right of the Evidence Locker page. It's usually a prominent colored button.

    2. 2
      Select the document type from the dropdown

      Click on the dropdown menu and choose which type of document you need (VPAT, Legal Response, etc.).

    3. 3
      Add any special notes or requirements

      Is there something specific you need included? A particular format? Add those details in the notes field.

    4. 4
      Set the priority level

      How urgent is this? See the priority explanations below.

    5. 5
      Click Submit

      You'll receive a confirmation, and you can track the status of your request in the Evidence Locker.

    Understanding Priority Levels

    When requesting a document, you'll be asked to set a priority. Here's what each level means:

    Critical Priority

    Use this only for true emergencies, like responding to a legal demand letter or a compliance deadline. We'll prioritize this above all other work. Expected turnaround: 1-2 business days.

    High Priority

    For important business needs, like a procurement deadline or customer request. Expected turnaround: 3-5 business days.

    Medium Priority

    Standard requests without a tight deadline. Expected turnaround: 5-7 business days.

    Low Priority

    Nice-to-have documentation with no deadline. We'll get to it when we can. Expected turnaround: 7-10 business days.

    Important: Request Documents Before You Need Them

    Don't wait until the last minute! If you know you'll need a VPAT for an upcoming procurement, request it a few weeks ahead of time. This gives us time to prepare a thorough, accurate document.

    Document Remediation

    Service

    Submit documents for professional accessibility remediation

    What is Document Remediation?

    Document remediation is the process of making PDFs, Word documents, PowerPoints, and Excel files accessible to people with disabilities. An "accessible document" can be read by screen readers, has proper heading structure, and includes descriptions for images.

    Why does this matter? If someone who is blind tries to read an inaccessible PDF, their screen reader might just say "image image image" or read text in the wrong order. We fix that!

    How to Submit a Document for Remediation

    Follow these detailed steps to upload a document:

    1. 1
      Go to Document Remediation

      Click on "Document Remediation" in the left navigation menu. Look for the icon that looks like a document with a checkmark.

    2. 2
      Click the "Upload Document" button

      This is usually a prominent button at the top of the page. It might say "Upload Document" or "New Request" or have a "+" icon.

    3. 3
      Select your file

      A file picker window will open. Navigate to where your document is saved on your computer. Click on the file to select it, then click "Open" (or double-click the file).

    4. 4
      Wait for the file to upload

      You'll see a progress bar. Larger files take longer to upload. Don't close the browser window while this is happening!

    5. 5
      Add notes (optional but helpful)

      Is there anything special about this document? Does it have complex tables? Specific formatting that needs to be preserved? Add notes so we know what to pay attention to.

    6. 6
      Review the price estimate

      The system will show you an estimated cost based on the number of pages and document complexity. This is just an estimate - we'll confirm the final price.

    7. 7
      Click Submit

      Your document is now in the queue! You can track its status on the Document Remediation page.

    What File Types Can I Submit?

    We can remediate most common document formats:

    PDF Documents

    Files up to 50MB. Price is based on page count. Most common format we work with.

    Word Documents

    .doc and .docx files. Works great for documents with complex formatting.

    PowerPoint Presentations

    .ppt and .pptx files. We'll make sure slides, images, and charts are accessible.

    Excel Spreadsheets

    .xls and .xlsx files. We'll add proper table headers and structure.

    Understanding Document Status

    After you submit a document, you can track its progress. Here's what each status means:

    Pending Review

    We've received your document and someone on our team will review it soon to confirm the scope and pricing.

    Approved

    Your document has been reviewed and approved. It's now in the queue waiting for a remediation specialist.

    In Progress

    A specialist is actively working on making your document accessible. This is where the magic happens!

    Completed

    Your accessible document is ready! You'll see a download button to get the remediated file.

    Rejected

    The document couldn't be processed. This is rare, but might happen if the file is corrupted, in an unsupported format, or has other issues. We'll explain the reason and you can resubmit.

    How to Download Your Completed Document

  • 1Go to Document Remediation in the navigation menu
  • 2Find your document in the list (look for the green 'Completed' status)
  • 3Click the download icon (downward arrow) on the right side of the row
  • 4The accessible PDF will save to your Downloads folder
  • Pro Tip: Keep Both Versions

    We recommend keeping both your original document and the accessible version. If you need to make changes to the content, edit the original and submit it again for remediation.

    Team Management

    Management

    Invite and manage team members with role-based access

    What is Team Management?

    The Team page lets you invite your coworkers to access the A3S portal. This is useful when multiple people in your organization need to see accessibility reports, track progress, or manage the program. Each person gets their own login.

    How to Invite a Team Member

    Follow these detailed steps to add someone to your team:

    1. 1
      Go to the Team page

      Click on "Team" in the left navigation menu. Look for the icon that shows multiple people.

    2. 2
      Click the "Invite Member" button

      This button is at the top right of the Team page. A form will appear.

    3. 3
      Enter their email address

      Type the work email address of the person you want to invite. Make sure it's spelled correctly!

    4. 4
      Select their role

      Choose what level of access they should have: Admin, Member, or Viewer. (See explanations below)

    5. 5
      Select which projects they can see

      If you have multiple projects, you can choose which ones this person should have access to. Check the boxes next to the projects they need.

    6. 6
      Click "Send Invitation"

      An email will be sent to that person with instructions on how to set up their account.

    Understanding User Roles

    Each team member has a "role" that determines what they can do in the portal. Here's what each role means:

    Admin

    Admins can do everything. They have full control over the portal and can invite other team members.

    What Admins can do:

    • View all projects and data
    • Invite and remove team members
    • Request documents from Evidence Locker
    • Submit documents for remediation
    • Create support tickets

    Best for: Project managers, IT leads, accessibility coordinators

    Member

    Members can view and interact with assigned projects, but can't invite new team members.

    What Members can do:

    • View projects they're assigned to
    • Download reports
    • View bug details
    • Create support tickets

    Best for: Developers, content editors, marketing team

    Viewer

    Viewers have read-only access. They can see data but can't make any changes.

    What Viewers can do:

    • View assigned project data
    • Download reports
    • View bug summaries

    Best for: Executives, stakeholders who just need visibility

    Managing Existing Team Members

    After someone has joined your team, you can manage their access:

    To change someone's role or project access:

    1. Find the person in your team list
    2. Click the three-dot menu icon (⋯) on the right side of their row
    3. Select "Edit" from the dropdown menu
    4. Change their role or project assignments as needed
    5. Click "Save"

    To remove someone from the team:

    1. Click the three-dot menu icon (⋯) next to their name
    2. Select "Remove" from the dropdown
    3. Confirm that you want to remove them

    Note: Removed members immediately lose access and would need a new invitation to return.

    To resend an invitation:

    If someone didn't receive the invitation email or it expired:

    1. Find the pending invitation in your team list (look for "Pending" status)
    2. Click the three-dot menu (⋯)
    3. Select "Resend Invitation"

    Be Careful with Admin Access

    Only give Admin access to people who truly need to manage the account. Admins can invite and remove other team members, including other admins. When in doubt, start with Member or Viewer access - you can always upgrade later.

    Support Tickets

    Management

    Get help from our team with any questions or bugs

    What Are Support Tickets?

    Support tickets are how you communicate with our team. Have a question? Need help with something? Found a bug? Create a ticket and we'll respond. It's like sending an email, but you can track the conversation and status all in one place.

    How to Create a Support Ticket

    Follow these steps to submit a question or request:

    1. 1
      Go to the Tickets page

      Click on "Tickets" in the left navigation menu. Look for the ticket/tag icon.

    2. 2
      Click the "New Ticket" button

      This opens a form where you'll describe what you need help with.

    3. 3
      Select the ticket type

      Choose the category that best describes your request (Bug, Question, Feature Request, etc.). This helps us route your ticket to the right person.

    4. 4
      Enter a clear title

      Write a short summary of your bug. Good example: "Can't download October report". Bad example: "Help!"

    5. 5
      Write a detailed description

      Explain your bug or question in detail. Include what you were trying to do, what happened, and what you expected to happen. The more details you provide, the faster we can help!

    6. 6
      Attach files if helpful (optional)

      If you have a screenshot showing the problem or a document related to your request, click the attachment button to add it.

    7. 7
      Click "Submit"

      Your ticket is sent to our team! You'll receive a confirmation, and you can track the response on the Tickets page.

    What Type of Ticket Should I Create?

    Choose the category that best matches what you need:

    Technical Bug

    Something technical is broken or not working correctly. Use this if you're having problems with the portal itself, error messages, or features not behaving as expected.

    Example: "I click Download on my report but nothing happens"

    Billing

    Questions about your invoice, pricing, payments, or subscription.

    Example: "I have a question about the charge on my latest invoice"

    General Inquiry

    You have a question or need clarification about something. Use this for "how do I..." questions or to understand something about accessibility or the portal.

    Example: "How do I share a report with someone outside my company?"

    Feature Request

    You have an idea for something new or an improvement. We love hearing suggestions!

    Example: "It would be helpful to filter issues by date range"

    Bug Report

    You found a bug or error in the portal. Different from a technical issue - this is specifically for reporting software defects.

    Example: "The date shows incorrectly on my reports"

    Other

    Anything that doesn't fit the categories above.

    Understanding Ticket Status

    After you submit a ticket, you can track its progress. Here's what each status means:

    Open

    We've received your ticket and it's in our queue. Someone will look at it soon.

    In Progress

    A team member is actively working on your request. You may receive follow-up questions in the ticket conversation.

    Resolved

    Your issue has been addressed and a solution has been provided. Review the response and let us know if you need further assistance.

    Closed

    The ticket has been closed. You can still view it for reference, or create a new ticket if you need further help.

    How to Reply to a Ticket

    If we ask you a question or you need to add more information:

  • 1Go to the Tickets page
  • 2Click on the ticket you want to reply to
  • 3Scroll down to the message/reply area
  • 4Type your response in the text box
  • 5Click 'Send' or 'Reply'
  • Pro Tip: Include Screenshots

    A picture is worth a thousand words! If you're reporting a problem, take a screenshot of the error or issue. On Windows, press "Windows + Shift + S". On Mac, press "Cmd + Shift + 4". Then attach the image to your ticket.

    Notifications

    Management

    Stay updated on important events and changes

    What Are Notifications?

    Notifications are alerts that tell you when something important happens in your portal. They appear as a small red badge on the bell icon in the top menu. Think of them like text message alerts for your accessibility program.

    How to View Your Notifications

  • 1Look at the top right corner of the screen for the bell icon (🔔)
  • 2If there's a red badge with a number, you have unread notifications
  • 3Click the bell icon to open the notifications panel
  • 4Scroll through to see all your recent notifications
  • Types of Notifications You'll Receive

    Here's what kinds of things we'll notify you about:

    Bug Updates

    When accessibility bugs on your site are resolved, or if new bugs need your attention.

    Report Ready

    When your monthly report is ready to download, you'll get a notification so you know to check it out.

    Document Completed

    When a document you requested from the Evidence Locker or Document Remediation is ready.

    Team Changes

    When someone new joins your team or when a team member is removed.

    Ticket Updates

    When our team responds to your support ticket or needs more information from you.

    How to Manage Your Notifications

    To act on a notification:

    Simply click on any notification to go directly to the related page. For example, clicking a "Report Ready" notification will take you straight to the Reports page.

    To mark a notification as read:

    Hover over the notification and click the checkmark icon (✓) that appears. The notification will no longer show as unread.

    To clear all notifications at once:

    Look for the "Mark All Read" button at the top of the notifications panel. Clicking this will mark all your notifications as read and remove the red badge from the bell icon.

    Pro Tip: Check Notifications Regularly

    Make it a habit to check your notifications when you log in. Important updates like new reports or resolved issues will be waiting for you there!

    Status & Analytics

    Primary View

    Your main landing page with deep-dive analytics and compliance trends

    What is the Status Page?

    The Status page is your primary landing page when you log into the portal. It's where you see the complete picture of your accessibility program with detailed charts, progress tracking, and issue breakdowns.

    Think of it as your accessibility "command center" - you can see everything at a glance and understand exactly how your remediation efforts are progressing.

    How to Access Status & Analytics

  • 1Click on 'Status' in the left navigation menu (look for the chart/pulse icon)
  • 2You'll see various charts and metrics about your accessibility program
  • 3Scroll down to see different visualizations and data points
  • What Analytics Are Available?

    Here's what you can learn from the Status page:

    Remediation Progress Over Time

    A line chart showing how many issues have been fixed over the weeks and months. You want to see this line going up and to the right. This is great for showing stakeholders "look how much progress we've made!"

    Bug Breakdown

    Detailed charts showing bugs by category (Screen Reader, Keyboard, etc.) and by severity. Helps you understand what types of problems are most common on your sites.

    Resolution Rate

    How quickly are bugs being fixed? This shows average time from "found" to "fixed" and what percentage of bugs have been resolved. Great for measuring efficiency.

    Historical Comparison

    Compare your current status to previous periods. Are you better off than last month? Last quarter? This helps you demonstrate improvement over time.

    Reading the Charts

    Don't worry if charts feel intimidating - here are some tips:

    • Hover over data points to see exact numbers
    • Lines going up in progress charts means things are improving
    • Lines going down in "bugs remaining" charts is good (fewer problems!)
    • Pie chart slices show proportions - bigger slice = more bugs of that type

    Great for Presentations

    The Status page charts are perfect for executive presentations or board meetings. Take screenshots of the charts or reference the monthly reports which include similar visualizations in a formatted PDF.

    Keyboard Shortcuts

    Reference

    Navigate the portal faster with keyboard shortcuts

    What Are Keyboard Shortcuts?

    Keyboard shortcuts let you perform actions quickly by pressing key combinations instead of clicking with your mouse. They're completely optional - you can use the portal just fine without them.

    Note: On Mac, use the (Command) key. On Windows, use Ctrl instead.

    Available Shortcuts

    The portal supports the following keyboard shortcuts to help you work faster:

    Open Global Search

    Quickly search for projects, tickets, and reports across the portal

    +K
    Close Dialogs/Popups

    Close any open modal, dialog, or search window

    Esc
    Navigate with Tab

    Move focus through interactive elements on the page

    Tab
    Activate Buttons/Links

    Press Enter or Space when focused on a button or link

    Enter/Space

    Using Global Search

    The global search (⌘K) is the fastest way to navigate the portal. Here's what you can do with it:

    Quick Navigation

    When you open search, you'll see quick links to Status, Projects, Reports, Evidence Locker, and Remediation. Just press Enter to navigate directly.

    Search Everything

    Start typing to search across all your projects, tickets, and reports. Results appear as you type, and you can use arrow keys to navigate through them.

    Pro Tip: Use Search for Everything

    Instead of clicking through menus, press ⌘K and type what you're looking for. It's the fastest way to get anywhere in the portal!

    FAQ & Troubleshooting

    Reference

    Common questions and solutions to help you get the most out of the portal

    General Questions

    How do I sign into the portal?

    Go to client.a3s.app in your web browser and enter your email and password. If you don't have login credentials yet, contact your A3S representative or check your email for an invitation.

    If you forgot your password, click "Forgot Password" on the sign-in page and follow the instructions to reset it.

    How often are accessibility audits performed?

    We continuously monitor your sites and update findings as bugs are discovered or resolved. You'll receive formal PDF reports on a monthly basis.

    Think of it like this: we're always watching your sites, but we give you a formal "report card" every month that summarizes everything.

    Can I share reports with people who don't have a portal account?

    Yes, absolutely! You have two options:

    1. 1. Download the PDF and email it to them
    2. 2. Click the "Share" button on any report to generate a public link they can view without logging in

    The public link is secure and can be shared with customers, partners, legal teams, procurement departments, or anyone who needs to see your accessibility status.

    How long does document remediation take?

    Turnaround time depends on how complex your document is:

    • Simple documents (few pages, basic formatting): 2-3 business days
    • Standard documents (moderate pages, some tables/images): 3-5 business days
    • Complex documents (many pages, complex formatting, lots of tables): 5-7 business days

    Pro tip: Submit documents early if you have a deadline!

    What does WCAG mean?

    WCAG stands for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. It's a set of rules created by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) that define what makes a website accessible.

    We test against WCAG 2.2 AA, which is the latest version and the current legal standard for most organizations. The "AA" means the middle level of conformance (A is basic, AA is recommended, AAA is the highest). WCAG 2.2 builds upon WCAG 2.1 with additional criteria for mobile accessibility and cognitive disabilities.

    You don't need to memorize WCAG - that's our job! But if you see things like "WCAG 1.1.1" in issue descriptions, that's just a reference number for a specific rule.

    Can I use the portal on my phone?

    Yes! The portal is fully responsive and works on mobile devices. Just open your phone's web browser and go to the portal URL. On mobile, you'll see a simplified navigation bar at the bottom of the screen with quick access to Status, Projects, Reports, and Tickets.

    Why are there so many issues on my site?

    Don't be alarmed by high numbers! Most websites have hundreds or even thousands of accessibility bugs when first audited. This is completely normal.

    Many bugs are the same problem repeated across pages (like all images missing alt text). Once the underlying problem is fixed, many bugs get resolved at once.

    Focus on the trend over time - the number should go down as we work on remediation. That's the important metric!

    Troubleshooting Common Issues

    I can't log in / My password isn't working

    Try these steps in order:

    1. Check your email address - Make sure you're using the exact email that received the invitation
    2. Reset your password - Click "Forgot Password" on the sign-in page and follow the email instructions
    3. Check your spam folder - Password reset emails sometimes end up there
    4. Clear your browser cache - Sometimes old cached data causes issues
    5. Try a different browser - Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge all work well

    Still stuck? Email support@a3s.app with your email address and we'll help you get in.

    The page is loading slowly or not loading at all

    Try these solutions:

    1. Refresh the page - Press F5 or click the refresh button
    2. Check your internet connection - Try loading another website to confirm you're online
    3. Wait a moment - If you have lots of data, the first load may take a few seconds
    4. Try logging out and back in - Click your profile picture → Sign Out, then sign in again
    5. Clear browser cache - Or try opening the portal in an incognito/private window

    I can't see a project or feature I should have access to

    This usually means one of these things:

    • You haven't been assigned to that project - Ask your team admin to add you to the project
    • Your role doesn't have permission - Viewers have limited access compared to Members and Admins
    • The project hasn't been set up yet - New projects may take a day or two to appear after being created

    Contact your organization's admin or create a support ticket if you believe you should have access.

    My file upload failed or is stuck

    When uploading documents for remediation:

    • Check file size - Files must be under 50MB. For larger files, contact support
    • Check file format - We accept PDF, Word (.doc, .docx), PowerPoint (.ppt, .pptx), and Excel (.xls, .xlsx)
    • Don't close the browser - Keep the tab open until the upload completes
    • Check your connection - Uploads need a stable internet connection

    If an upload fails, simply try again. If it keeps failing, try a different browser or create a support ticket.

    I'm not receiving notification emails

    Check these common causes:

    • Check your spam/junk folder - Our emails might be filtered there
    • Add us to your contacts - Whitelist emails from @a3s.app
    • Check in-portal notifications - Click the bell icon to see all notifications even if emails aren't arriving

    You can always check the Notifications page in the portal to see all your alerts, even if emails aren't working.

    The data looks outdated or incorrect

    If numbers or status seem wrong:

    • Refresh the page - Data updates in real-time, but your browser might be showing cached content
    • Check the timestamp - Look for "Last updated" indicators on reports and dashboards
    • Wait for sync - After remediation work, data may take up to an hour to fully update

    If data still looks wrong after refreshing, create a support ticket so we can investigate.

    I see an error message on the screen

    If you encounter an error:

    1. Take a screenshot - This helps us diagnose the problem
    2. Note what you were doing - What action triggered the error?
    3. Try refreshing - Many errors are temporary and resolve with a refresh
    4. Try again later - If it's a server issue, waiting a few minutes often helps
    5. Create a support ticket - Include the screenshot and steps to reproduce the error

    Legal & Compliance Questions

    What happens if I receive a legal complaint about accessibility?

    Don't panic! This is exactly why you have A3S. Here's what to do:

    1. 1. Go to the Evidence Locker
    2. 2. Request a "Legal Response Package" with Critical priority
    3. 3. In the notes, mention you've received a legal complaint
    4. 4. We'll prepare documentation showing your accessibility efforts

    Having documented evidence of ongoing accessibility work is your best defense. The portal tracks everything, which works in your favor.

    What is a VPAT and do I need one?

    A VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) is a standardized document that explains how accessible your product is against accessibility standards.

    You likely need one if:

    • You sell software or services to government agencies
    • Enterprise customers ask about your accessibility compliance
    • You're responding to an RFP that requires accessibility documentation

    Request a VPAT from the Evidence Locker - we'll create one based on your current accessibility status.

    Getting Help

    How do I get help if I'm stuck?

    We're here to help! You have several options:

    • Create a support ticket (Tickets page → New Ticket) - Best for detailed questions
    • Email us at support@a3s.app - Quick questions or if you can't log in
    • Use global search - Press ⌘K to search this guide and the portal

    We typically respond to tickets within 24 hours on business days. For urgent matters, mention "URGENT" in your ticket title.

    Pro Tip: Include Details in Support Tickets

    When creating a support ticket, include: what you were trying to do, what happened instead, and any error messages you saw. Screenshots are incredibly helpful! The more details you provide, the faster we can help.

    Ready to Get Started?

    Access your Status page or contact our team if you need assistance.