Accessibility Statement

Conformance Status

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) define requirements for designers and developers to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. It defines three levels of conformance: Level A, Level AA, and Level AAA.

The John Crow Archive is fully conformant with WCAG 2.2 Level AA. Fully conformant means that the content fully conforms to the accessibility standard without any exceptions.

Technical Specifications

Accessibility of The John Crow Archive relies on the following technologies to work with the particular combination of web browser and any assistive technologies or plugins installed on your computer:

• HTML5
• CSS3
• JavaScript (ES6+)
• ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications)

These technologies are relied upon for conformance with the accessibility standards used.

Accessibility Features

The John Crow Archive includes the following accessibility features:

Interactive systems

Several interactive systems have additional accessibility affordances beyond standard page content:

• Digital Docent Tours: The guided sidebar tour uses standard buttons for Back, Resume, Next, and Exit; step titles and counters update dynamically, and step changes are announced politely to screen readers. The docent layout is desktop-only and disabled on narrow/mobile viewports.
• Interactive maps and charts: The map provides keyboard instructions, a focusable map region, and an accessible data list alternative. Charts expose ARIA roles, off-screen descriptions, and data tables that mirror the visual content.
• Query-driven article navigation: Article modals can be opened from records or docent tours using query parameters. When a modal opens, focus moves into the dialog and is trapped until closed; on close, focus returns to the triggering control.

Testing & Evaluation

The John Crow Archive was evaluated for accessibility using:

• Manual testing: Comprehensive keyboard and screen reader testing
• Automated tools: axe DevTools, WAVE, and Lighthouse
• Standards review: WCAG 2.2 Level AA checklist verification
• Last evaluated: January 22, 2026

Compatible Assistive Technologies

This site has been tested with the following assistive technologies:

• Screen readers: NVDA (Windows), VoiceOver (macOS/iOS), TalkBack (Android)
• Browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge (latest versions)
• Keyboard navigation: All major operating systems
• Browser zoom: Up to 200% magnification

Known Limitations

Despite our best efforts to ensure accessibility, there are some limitations. We are committed to addressing any issues that arise. If you discover any accessibility barriers, please contact us using the information below.

• Interactive maps: The Leaflet/Mapbox-based map remains a complex spatial interface. Screen reader users are encouraged to rely on the keyboard instructions, the accessible incident list, and record pages rather than direct map interaction.
• Charts: Charts expose ARIA labels, descriptions, and data tables, but screen reader interaction with the chart surface itself is limited. The primary accessible representation of chart data is the associated table.
• Article image zoom/pan: The article viewer’s zoom and pan controls are optimized for mouse and touch. Keyboard users can fully access the transcription and citation, but fine-grained image zoom/pan is not yet fully keyboard-driven.
• Digital Docent tours: Docent tours are currently desktop-only and require a sufficiently wide viewport. On narrow/mobile screens, the docent sidebar is intentionally disabled and a notice is shown instead.

Feedback & Contact

Standards & Guidelines

This website conforms to the following accessibility standards:

• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 Level AA
• Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (Revised Standards)
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title III

Commitment to Accessibility

The John Crow Archive is committed to ensuring that our digital content is accessible to people with disabilities. We continuously work to improve the accessibility of our site and implement relevant accessibility standards. Accessibility is an ongoing effort, and we will continue to update this site to enhance the user experience for all visitors.