Accessibility

Standards

I use the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA as the target. This site is not claiming completed conformance.

Accessibility Features

Here are some of the accessibility features built into The Rooted Learner:

Navigation & Structure

• Semantic HTML with proper heading hierarchy (h1 through h6) for clear content structure
• ARIA landmarks and labels on navigation, main content, and footer regions
• Skip-to-content capability for keyboard users
• Consistent, predictable navigation across all pages
• Clear focus indicators on all interactive elements

Visual Design

• Color pairings are chosen for readability. A full contrast audit is still ahead
• Information is never conveyed by color alone. Text labels and icons are used alongside color cues
• Responsive design that adapts to different screen sizes, zoom levels, and orientations
• Legible font sizes with scalable typography using relative units
• Reduced motion for users who prefer minimal animation

Content & Media

• Meaningful images should have descriptive alt text. Some older images still need that pass
• Decorative images are hidden from screen readers using appropriate ARIA attributes
• Link text that is descriptive and makes sense out of context
• Form fields with associated labels and clear error messaging
• PDF and downloadable resources created with accessibility in mind

Keyboard & Assistive Technology

• Keyboard access is the goal for interactive controls. Some patterns, including the homepage sample tabs, still need a fuller keyboard pass
• The mobile menu can be opened, closed, and moved through with the keyboard
• A full screen-reader test is still ahead

Assistive Technology Compatibility

The Rooted Learner is designed to be compatible with:

• Modern web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
• Screen readers (VoiceOver on macOS/iOS, NVDA and JAWS on Windows, TalkBack on Android)
• Voice recognition software
• Screen magnification tools
• Alternative input devices

Downloadable Resources

I make every effort to ensure downloadable lesson plans, templates, and other educational materials are accessible. This includes:

• Using proper heading structures in documents
• Adding alt text to images within downloadable resources
• Using readable fonts and adequate text sizing
• Providing content in commonly accessible formats (PDF, Google Docs)

If you need a resource in an alternative format, please reach out and I will do my best to accommodate your request.

Known Limitations

While I work hard to ensure accessibility across the entire site, I acknowledge that some areas may still need improvement. Known limitations include:

• Some older downloadable resources may not have full accessibility markup. These are being updated on an ongoing basis
• Third-party embedded content (such as social media feeds or external video players) may not fully meet accessibility standards
• User-generated content (such as blog comments, if enabled) may not always follow accessibility best practices

I am actively working to address these limitations and welcome your feedback to help prioritize improvements.

Feedback & Reporting Barriers

Accessibility is a journey, not a destination. If you encounter any barriers while using The Rooted Learner, I genuinely want to know. Your feedback helps improve the experience for everyone.

When reporting an accessibility issue, it's helpful to include:

• The page URL where the issue occurred
• A description of the problem you encountered
• The assistive technology or browser you were using
• Any suggestions for how the experience could improve

I aim to respond to all accessibility feedback within 5 business days.