Our target is practical alignment with WCAG 2.2 Level AA across the public site. Accessibility is treated as part of the research interface—not as a separate layer added after the design is finished.

What We Are Building For

• Keyboard access to navigation, filters, search, accordions, comparison tools, and interactive research controls.
• Visible focus indicators for links and controls.
• Readable contrast, body-text sizing, and enlarged touch targets on mobile devices.
• Responsive layouts that do not require horizontal scrolling for ordinary reading.
• Reduced-motion behavior for visitors who request it through their operating system or browser.
• Meaningful image alternative text where an image communicates research content, with decorative imagery treated separately.
• Clear heading hierarchy, breadcrumbs, and grouped navigation to support orientation within long research pages.

Interactive Research Tools

ArkSearch includes filters, comparison interfaces, maps, timelines, scale tools, and other interactive research components. These are being reviewed for keyboard access, labels, focus order, mobile behavior, and readable fallback content. Important conclusions should not depend solely on manipulating an interactive graphic.

Historical Images and Source Material

Some historical photographs, scans, maps, and third-party source material may have limitations inherited from the original artifact or archive. ArkSearch aims to provide descriptive alternative text and contextual captions where practical without altering the evidentiary character of the source.

Known Ongoing Work

We are continuing accessibility review of complex interactive components, mobile layouts, image metadata, keyboard behavior, and the inherited WordPress theme layer as the site grows.

Report an Accessibility Problem

If you encounter a page, control, image, or research tool that is difficult to use, please use Contact & Contribute. Include the page URL, the device or assistive technology involved if relevant, and a brief description of the obstacle.