Eventbrite vs Bizzabo | Accessibility Face-Off

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Event platforms play a crucial role in how people register for and attend both in-person and online events. For the 25% of adults who live with some form of disability, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the accessibility of these platforms can mean the difference between participation and exclusion. This article examines how Eventbrite and Bizzabo stack up against each other when it comes to accessibility features, focusing particularly on their registration processes, virtual event experiences, and engagement tools.

Registration Systems and Form Accessibility

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The registration process is often the first interaction attendees have with an event. For people using assistive technologies, this initial experience can set the tone for their entire event journey.

Form Structure and Screen Reader Compatibility

Eventbrite has shown positive results in screen reader testing. According to feedback from accessibility expert Al Puzzuoli, who tested Eventbrite using JAWS 2020 with Chrome, the platform is generally accessible to screen reader users. While not perfect, he noted, “It’s not perfect, but I didn’t see any showstoppers.” The main issue encountered was with the Register menu, where pressing Enter didn’t work initially, but the space bar did activate it successfully.

Bizzabo’s registration system, part of their Event Experience Operating System, aims to provide a smooth experience with customized registration flows. However, specific screen reader testing results for Bizzabo’s registration forms were not as readily available in our research.

Error Identification and Form Validation

Error identification is a critical aspect of form accessibility. When users make mistakes during registration, they need clear feedback about what went wrong and how to fix it.

Eventbrite appears to have some mechanisms in place for error feedback, though detailed information about how these errors are communicated to screen reader users is limited.

For field validation, modern accessibility standards recommend using techniques that make errors obvious to all users, including those using screen readers. This includes:

1. Clearly identifying which field has an error
2. Explaining what the error is
3. Providing guidance on how to fix it
4. Making sure this information is announced to screen reader users

Adrian Roselli’s research on field errors highlights the importance of using ARIA attributes like aria-invalid and aria-errormessage to ensure screen reader users can identify and correct form errors. These attributes help communicate validation issues in a way that assistive technologies can interpret and announce to users.

Required Field Indication

Both platforms need to clearly indicate which fields are required during registration. The standard practice is to use both visual indicators (like an asterisk) and programmatic methods (such as the required attribute and appropriate ARIA labels).

The clarity with which required fields are marked affects how easily users can complete forms without encountering unexpected validation errors.

Virtual Event Navigation and Keyboard Accessibility

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Virtual events have become increasingly important, making the accessibility of virtual lobbies and session spaces critical for inclusive participation.

V–Lobby Design

Bizzabo offers what they call “The Venue,” a digital destination for both in-person and virtual attendees. Their documentation mentions that this virtual space is “accessible from any device,” though specific details about keyboard navigation or screen reader compatibility within this environment aren’t explicitly stated in their marketing materials.

Eventbrite’s approach to virtual events appears less centralized, with fewer details available about their native virtual event environment. They seem to focus more on the registration aspect, with the actual virtual event potentially hosted on third-party platforms.

Keyboard Navigation Paths

For users who rely on keyboards rather than mice-including many people with motor disabilities or who use screen readers-the ability to navigate through an interface using only keyboard controls is essential.

Bizzabo’s speaker guide indicates support for some keyboard functionality, mentioning that presenters can navigate through presentation slides using arrow keys. This suggests some level of keyboard support, though a full keyboard navigation evaluation of the attendee experience isn’t documented in the available resources.

For Eventbrite, keyboard navigation testing revealed that while most functions work with keyboard controls, there are occasional issues like the spacebar being required instead of Enter for certain actions.

Focus Management

Proper focus management-ensuring that keyboard focus moves in a logical order and is visually apparent-is another key aspect of accessible interfaces.

Adrian Roselli’s work highlights the importance of making sure focus states are visible with sufficient contrast. This is particularly important in complex interfaces like virtual event platforms where users need to navigate between different panels, chat areas, and presentation windows.

The ability to see which element currently has focus is crucial for keyboard users to understand where they are in the interface and what actions they can take.

Live Engagement and Communication Features

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Events thrive on interaction, making the accessibility of Q&A sessions, chat features, and polling tools essential for inclusive participation.

Text Alternatives for Audio Questions

In virtual events, providing text alternatives for audio content ensures that deaf or hard-of-hearing participants can fully engage. Neither platform explicitly mentions built-in captioning or transcription services in the materials reviewed, though Bizzabo does reference “audience reactions” and “chat channels” as engagement tools.

The Eventbrite blog suggests including transcripts for videos in event listings, indicating an awareness of the need for text alternatives. However, this advice applies to marketing materials rather than live event features.

Q&A Accessibility

Bizzabo mentions Q&A as one of the engagement tools available in their platform. For such features to be fully accessible, they should:

1. Be operable by keyboard alone
2. Work with screen readers
3. Provide visual indicators when new questions appear
4. Allow participants to submit questions in text format

While both platforms mention Q&A functionality, detailed information about the accessibility of these specific features is limited in the available resources.

Chat and Audience Interaction

Bizzabo highlights chat channels and social sharing as engagement features. For users with disabilities, the accessibility of these tools depends on factors like:

1. Text size and contrast
2. Notification systems for new messages
3. Keyboard accessibility of chat interfaces
4. Screen reader announcements of new content

The Bizzabo mobile app mentions in-app notifications to “stay up to date” with real-time updates, which could help users track ongoing conversations, though the accessibility of these notifications isn’t specifically addressed.

Mobile App Accessibility

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As many attendees access events via mobile devices, the accessibility of event platform apps is increasingly important.

Bizzabo Mobile Experience

Bizzabo’s mobile app receives mixed reviews, with a 2.4-star rating on Google Play. One review specifically mentions accessibility concerns, noting that a blinking search screen was “REALLY hard on the eyes”. This suggests potential issues with animations that could affect users with photosensitive conditions or cognitive disabilities.

The app is described as compatible with iOS 14.0 or later and iPadOS 14.0 or later, as well as newer Mac systems with Apple silicon. However, specific accessibility features of the app are not detailed in the available materials.

Eventbrite App Accessibility

While specific details about Eventbrite’s mobile app accessibility weren’t prominent in the search results, the company’s partnership with Level Access suggests a commitment to digital accessibility across their products.

Level Access provides assistive technology solutions including hands-free mouse, voice commands, visual click assistance, on-screen keyboard, and text-to-speech functionality. These tools aim to make digital experiences accessible to people with various physical disabilities.

Touch Target Size and Spacing

Touch target size-the area that responds when tapped-is a crucial factor in mobile accessibility, especially for users with motor control difficulties. The WCAG 2.2 guidelines include requirements for touch target size to ensure users can accurately tap interactive elements without accidentally activating adjacent controls.

Neither platform explicitly addresses their compliance with touch target size guidelines in the materials reviewed.

Event Creation Tools for Organizers

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The ability for event organizers to create accessible events depends largely on the tools and options provided by the platform.

Accessible Event Listing Creation

Eventbrite provides specific guidance for creating accessible event listings. Their blog discusses the importance of:

1. Adding written descriptions for images
2. Increasing text contrast for better readability
3. Using headings to convey meaning and structure
4. Increasing purchasing timeouts to give people more time to complete registration

These recommendations align with accessibility best practices and suggest Eventbrite is providing organizers with guidance to create more inclusive event listings.

Support for Alternative Formats

Eventbrite’s blog emphasizes the importance of providing transcripts for videos and ensuring text contrast is sufficient. They also recommend organizing content with proper heading structure for screen reader users-using H1 for the main event title and H2 for section titles like “Event Details”.

The blog specifically mentions making sure headings are “descriptive of the content of each section,” which helps screen reader users understand the structure and purpose of different content areas.

Accessibility Settings and Options

Bizzabo mentions maintaining “the highest levels of security standards and industry best practices, including… ADA compliance”. This suggests some level of attention to accessibility requirements, though specific features or settings for enhancing event accessibility aren’t detailed in the materials reviewed.

Eventbrite’s partnership with Level Access indicates a more explicit commitment to accessibility, including providing “free assistive technology for people with physical disabilities”.

Testing Results and User Experiences

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Real-world testing provides valuable insights into how well these platforms work for users with disabilities.

Screen Reader Testing

The most detailed screen reader testing information available concerns Eventbrite. Al Puzzuoli’s testing with JAWS 2020 on Chrome found that he could successfully register for an event, with only minor issues encountered.

The primary issue noted was with the Register menu, which didn’t respond to the Enter key but did work with the space bar. Additionally, the confirmation email contained “a lot of graphics that cause more verbosity than I would like with JAWS, but it’s readable”.

No comparable testing results were available for Bizzabo in the materials reviewed.

Keyboard Navigation Experience

Keyboard navigation is essential for many users with disabilities. While specific keyboard testing wasn’t detailed in the materials reviewed, Bizzabo’s speaker guide mentions that presenters can navigate through slides using arrow keys, suggesting some level of keyboard support in their presentation interface.

User Feedback and Ratings

Bizzabo’s mobile app has received mixed reviews, with a 2.4-star rating on Google Play based on 674 reviews. One user specifically mentioned accessibility concerns with a “blinking search” feature that was “REALLY hard on the eyes”.

This feedback highlights the importance of avoiding flashing content and ensuring stable interfaces for users with various disabilities, including photosensitive conditions and cognitive disabilities.

Accessibility Documentation and Compliance

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How platforms document their accessibility efforts and compliance with standards provides insight into their commitment to inclusion.

Accessibility Statements

Eventbrite has an accessibility statement available, referenced in their partnership announcement with Level Access. The statement appears to outline their commitment to digital accessibility and the measures they’re taking to ensure their platform is accessible.

No specific accessibility statement for Bizzabo was identified in the materials reviewed, though they do mention ADA compliance among their security standards and industry best practices.

Compliance with Standards

Both platforms reference compliance with accessibility standards, though in different ways:

Eventbrite partners with Level Access “to ensure our website is accessible and functional for all our customers”, suggesting attention to WCAG guidelines and ADA requirements.

Bizzabo lists “ADA compliance” alongside SOCII, ISO27001, GDPR, and CCPA as part of their security standards and industry best practices.

Support Resources

Eventbrite appears to offer support for creating accessible event listings through their blog content, which includes specific recommendations for enhancing the accessibility of event information.

Bizzabo’s support resources relating specifically to accessibility weren’t prominent in the materials reviewed, though their general support documentation covers various aspects of using their platform.

Making Events More Inclusive | Practical Steps

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Beyond the platforms themselves, event organizers can take additional steps to enhance accessibility.

Planning for Physical Accessibility

For in-person events, physical accessibility is crucial. Eventbrite’s blog recommends:

1. Ensuring venues have accessible entrances and parking
2. Providing clear information about accessibility features in event listings
3. Creating FAQ sections that address accessibility questions

One example mentioned is clearly marking accessible entrances and parking, as done for the AFRO RHYTMS event listed on Eventbrite.

Communication and Accommodation Requests

Both platforms allow organizers to gather information from attendees during registration. This can include requests for accommodations like:

1. Sign language interpretation
2. Reserved seating near the stage
3. Large-print materials
4. Dietary requirements

The “How to Make your Eventbrite page more inclusive” document specifically recommends adding an FAQ section covering access-related questions and asking for access requirements in the order form.

Staff Training and Awareness

While not specifically addressed by either platform, event staff training is an important component of creating accessible events. Staff should be prepared to:

1. Assist attendees with disabilities
2. Understand how to operate accessibility equipment
3. Be familiar with accessible routes and facilities
4. Communicate effectively with all attendees

Audio-Visual Accessibility Considerations

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For both in-person and virtual events, audio-visual elements present specific accessibility challenges.

Captions and Transcripts

Eventbrite’s blog emphasizes the importance of:

1. Planning for captions and transcripts from the start
2. Reserving space on presentation screens for captions
3. Selecting platforms that support real-time captioning

These recommendations align with accessibility best practices for making audio content accessible to deaf or hard-of-hearing attendees.

Audio Quality and Balance

For attendees with hearing impairments who don’t rely on captions, audio quality is crucial. Eventbrite suggests:

1. Positioning speakers strategically throughout venues
2. Testing for clear audio across entire venues
3. Incorporating visual cues for audio-only content

These measures help ensure that attendees with partial hearing loss can fully participate in events.

Visual Presentation Accessibility

For visually impaired attendees, Eventbrite recommends:

1. Using dark text on light backgrounds for slides
2. Testing for readability from the back of rooms
3. Using high-contrast colors and large fonts for readable signage

These practices help ensure that presentation materials are accessible to attendees with various visual abilities.

Comparing Platform-Specific Features

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Some unique features of each platform have specific accessibility implications.

Bizzabo’s Networking Suite

Bizzabo recently launched a networking solution designed to help “event organizers deliver the meaningful connections attendees increasingly demand from in-person events”. For this feature to be fully accessible, it would need to:

1. Work with screen readers and other assistive technologies
2. Be navigable by keyboard alone
3. Provide clear instructions that all users can understand
4. Avoid relying solely on visual cues for matching participants

The press release notes that the networking suite is “fully integrated with the company’s Event Experience OS”, which could potentially provide a more consistent accessibility experience across features.

Eventbrite’s Level Access Integration

Eventbrite’s partnership with Level Access provides “free assistive technology for people with physical disabilities”. This technology includes:

1. Hands-free mouse
2. Voice commands
3. Visual click assist
4. On-screen keyboard
5. Text-to-speech functionality

These tools aim to make Eventbrite’s platform accessible to people with various physical disabilities, including those with conditions like stroke/paralysis, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, and dyslexia.

Choosing the Right Platform for Accessibility Needs

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Both Eventbrite and Bizzabo show awareness of accessibility requirements, though they appear to approach the issue differently.

Eventbrite has partnered explicitly with an accessibility company (Level Access) and provides specific guidance for creating accessible event listings. They’ve also undergone some screen reader testing with generally positive results, though with a few minor issues noted.

Bizzabo mentions ADA compliance among their industry standards and offers features like keyboard navigation in presentations, but specific details about their accessibility features and testing aren’t as prominently documented in the materials reviewed.

For event organizers prioritizing accessibility, several factors should guide platform selection:

1. The specific needs of your anticipated audience
2. The types of events you plan to host (in-person, virtual, or hybrid)
3. The importance of specific features like networking, Q&A, or mobile access
4. Your organization’s legal requirements for accessibility compliance
5. The level of control you need over accessibility features

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Final Thoughts

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Ultimately, creating truly accessible events requires attention not just to the platform’s built-in features, but also to how organizers use those features to design inclusive experiences. Both platforms provide tools that, when used thoughtfully, can help create events that welcome attendees of all abilities. For more detailed guidance on making your events accessible, regardless of platform, visit Accessibility-Test.org for tools, checklists, and best practices that can help ensure your events reach the widest possible audience.

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