Accessibility Statement

Our Commitment

Blevins Natural History Gallery believes Earth's story belongs to everyone. We're committed to ensuring our website and digital content can be accessed and enjoyed by people of all abilities.

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We recognize that accessibility is an ongoing journey, not a destination. As a new organization, we're actively working to meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards.

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What We're Doing

 

Our website has been designed with accessibility in mind. We've implemented:

• Clear Visual Design: High-contrast text and background colors that meet WCAG AA standards

• Readable Typography: Clean fonts sized for comfortable reading at 6th-8th grade level

• Semantic HTML: Proper heading structure and landmarks for screen readers

• Keyboard Navigation: All interactive elements accessible without a mouse

• Alternative Text: Descriptive alt text for specimen images and graphics

• Descriptive Links: Link text that clearly describes destination or purpose

• Responsive Design: Content adapts to different screen sizes and devices

• Simple Language: Straightforward explanations without unnecessary jargon

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Ongoing Improvements

 

We launched this website in early 2026 and continue to refine accessibility features. We're working on:

• Regular accessibility audits and testing

• Improving form accessibility and error messaging

• Adding captions and transcripts for any video content

• Enhancing navigation options

• Refining specimen image descriptions

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Third-Party Content

 

Some features on our website rely on third-party services (such as contact forms or analytics). While we choose vendors who prioritize accessibility, we may not have complete control over their accessibility features.

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We Want Your Feedback

 

If you experience any difficulty accessing content on our website, please let us know. Your feedback helps us improve.

 

Email: info@bnhgallery.com

Subject Line: Website Accessibility

 

Please include:

• The specific page or feature you had trouble with

• What assistive technology you were using (if any)

• A description of the problem

 

We'll respond within 2 business days and work to resolve the issue.

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Assistive Technology Compatibility

 

Our website has been tested with:

• Screen readers (NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver)

• Keyboard-only navigation

• Browser zoom (up to 200%)

• Mobile screen readers (iOS VoiceOver, Android TalkBack)

 

If you use assistive technology not listed here and encounter issues, please contact us.

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Technical Specifications

 

This website relies on the following technologies:

• HTML5 for structure

• CSS3 for visual presentation

• JavaScript for interactive features (progressively enhanced)

 

These technologies are chosen for their compatibility with assistive technologies and web browsers.

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Standards & Guidelines

 

We aim to conform to the following standards:

• WCAG 2.1 Level AA: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines published by the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)

• Section 508: U.S. federal accessibility standards

• ARIA: Accessible Rich Internet Applications specifications where appropriate

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Known Limitations

 

As a new website, we're aware of some current limitations:

• Some specimen photographs may need enhanced alt text descriptions

• Educational content is being progressively improved for screen reader clarity

• Mobile navigation is being refined for better touch target sizing

 

We're actively addressing these issues in our development roadmap.

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Mobile & Tablet Access

 

Our website is fully responsive and designed to work on devices of all sizes. Mobile and tablet users should experience the same content and functionality as desktop users, optimized for touch interaction.

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Our Promise

 

Accessibility is central to our mission. Just as we work to make physical fossil specimens accessible through traveling exhibits and educational programs, we're committed to making our digital presence equally welcoming.

 

We view accessibility as an ongoing commitment to serve all people interested in Earth's natural history.

 

This statement will be reviewed and updated regularly as we continue improving our website's accessibility.

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