Accessibility at the Heart of Assessment: How RM Compare Leads the Way

In today’s educational landscape, accessibility is not just a feature—it’s a fundamental right. At RM Compare, our commitment to accessibility is woven into both our technology and our philosophy, ensuring that every assessment is inclusive, fair, and user-friendly for all participants. As we continue to innovate in the field of Adaptive Comparative Judgement (ACJ), accessibility remains a guiding principle in everything we do.

Why Accessibility Matters in Assessment

Digital transformation has opened new possibilities for making assessments more accessible. Traditional paper-based exams often fall short for learners with special educational needs, such as those with visual impairments, dyslexia, or attention deficits. Technology, when thoughtfully designed, can remove these barriers—offering flexible, personalised experiences that allow every learner to demonstrate their true capabilities.

In England alone, nearly 1.5 million students are recognised as having special educational needs, and this number continues to rise. Our responsibility as educators and assessment providers is to ensure that every student can participate on an equal footing.

How RM Compare Delivers on Accessibility

Flexible, Personalised Viewing Controls

Every learner is unique. RM Compare allows users to adjust viewing controls to suit their individual needs. This flexibility ensures that the platform is usable for everyone, including those with visual or cognitive challenges.

Support for Diverse Item Types

Assessment shouldn’t be one-size-fits-all. RM Compare supports a wide range of item types—including images, documents, audio, and video—so that assessments can be tailored to different learning styles and abilities. This is especially valuable for candidates who may struggle with traditional written formats

Responsive Design and Device Compatibility

Accessibility is about meeting users where they are. RM Compare’s responsive design ensures a seamless experience across devices, whether on a desktop, tablet, or mobile phone. This adaptability means that learners can engage with assessments in the way that works best for them.

Role-Based Permissions and Secure Collaboration

Collaboration is central to inclusive assessment. RM Compare’s role-based permissions and secure collaboration tools empower educators, assessors, and students to work together safely and effectively—while maintaining privacy and control over sensitive information.

Our Philosophy: Fairness, Human-Centred Design, and Continuous Improvement

Fairness and Human-Centred Assessment

At the core of RM Compare is a commitment to fairness. Our ACJ approach maintains the human element in assessment, enabling assessors to make direct, unbiased comparisons between pieces of work. This reduces bias and levels the playing field—particularly for students with special educational needs or those who benefit from alternative assessment formats

Continuous Improvement Through Community Feedback

Accessibility is not a destination—it’s a journey. We actively seek feedback from our diverse user community and regularly update our features to reflect evolving needs. This ongoing dialogue ensures that accessibility remains a top priority as technology and educational practices advance.

Roadmap Prioritisation

Our development roadmap always puts the end user first, recognising the diverse needs of a truly accessible system. We are committed to ongoing innovation and to making sure that RM Compare remains at the forefront of accessible assessment

The Bigger Picture: Accessibility as a Driver of Educational Equity

Accessible assessment is about more than compliance—it’s about equity. By designing technology that meets the needs of all learners, we help to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background or abilities. RM Compare’s features—such as Contributing Judges, instant feedback, and collaborative moderation—not only support accessibility but also foster deeper engagement, ownership, and learning for all participants

Join Us on the Journey

At RM Compare, we believe that accessible assessment is the foundation of fair and meaningful learning. We invite educators, assessment professionals, and learners to join us in shaping a more inclusive future—one where everyone’s abilities are recognised and valued.

For more information about our accessibility features and philosophy, visit our Accessibility Help Centre pages.