Accessibility Statement

Last Updated: January 1, 2026

Our Commitment to Accessibility

Galveston Historical Foundation, Inc. is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people with disabilities. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone and applying the relevant accessibility standards to achieve our goal of providing an accessible website for all visitors.

Conformance Status

We aim to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards. These guidelines explain how to make web content more accessible for people with disabilities.

Targeting WCAG 2.1 Level AA

WCAG 2.1 guidelines are organized under four principles:

  • Perceivable - Information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive
  • Operable - User interface components and navigation must be operable
  • Understandable - Information and the operation of the user interface must be understandable
  • Robust - Content must be robust enough that it can be interpreted by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies

Accessibility Features

Our website includes the following accessibility features:

Alternative Text

All meaningful images include descriptive alt text to convey their purpose to screen reader users.

Keyboard Navigation

All interactive elements are accessible via keyboard. Focus indicators are visible for all focusable elements.

Color Contrast

We maintain a minimum color contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.

Responsive Design

Our website adapts to various screen sizes and orientations, supporting users who need to zoom or use mobile devices.

Semantic HTML

We use proper HTML markup including headings, landmarks, and ARIA attributes for screen reader compatibility.

Link Text

Links use descriptive text that makes sense out of context, avoiding vague phrases like "click here."

Form Labels

All form fields have associated labels and clear instructions. Error messages are descriptive and helpful.

Heading Structure

Content is organized with proper heading hierarchy (H1-H6) for easier navigation with assistive technologies.

Skip Navigation

A "skip to main content" link allows keyboard users to bypass repetitive navigation elements.

Motion Control

Moving content can be paused, stopped, or hidden. We respect user preferences for reduced motion.

Known Accessibility Issues

Despite our best efforts, some accessibility issues may exist. We are actively working to address these:

Current Known Issues:

  • Some older PDF documents may not be fully accessible. We are working to remediate these documents or provide accessible alternatives upon request.
  • Third-party embedded content (such as maps or videos) may have accessibility limitations outside our control. We strive to choose accessible third-party tools when available.
  • Some historical images may have limited descriptions due to their archival nature. We are working to improve descriptions where possible.

If you encounter an accessibility issue not listed here, please contact us so we can address it.

Assistive Technology Compatibility

Our website is designed to be compatible with the following assistive technologies:

  • Screen readers (JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, TalkBack)
  • Screen magnification software
  • Speech recognition software
  • Keyboard-only navigation
  • Browsers with high contrast modes

We test our website with various assistive technologies to ensure compatibility.

Feedback Mechanism

We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of our website. Please let us know if you encounter accessibility barriers or have suggestions for improvement:

Contact Us About Accessibility

Galveston Historical Foundation, Inc.
2002 Strand St
Galveston, TX 77550
Phone: +1 (603) 800-3110
Email: mail@galveston-history.org

We try to respond to accessibility feedback within 2 business days and propose a solution within 10 business days.

What to Include in Your Report

When reporting an accessibility issue, please include:

  • The URL of the page where you encountered the issue
  • A description of the problem
  • The assistive technology you were using (if applicable)
  • Your browser and device information
  • Suggestions for improvement (if you have any)

Enforcement Procedure

If you are not satisfied with our response to your accessibility concern, you have the right to file a formal complaint. Here is the process:

  1. Internal Review - Contact our accessibility coordinator at mail@galveston-history.org to request an internal review of your concern. We will respond within 15 business days.
  2. U.S. Department of Justice - If the issue remains unresolved, you may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. Visit ada.gov/file-a-complaint for more information.
  3. Texas Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities - Texas residents may also contact the Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities for assistance and resources.

Accessibility Standards We Follow

Our accessibility efforts align with:

  • Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 - International accessibility standards
  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - U.S. civil rights law prohibiting discrimination
  • Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act - Federal accessibility requirements
  • Texas Government Code Chapter 2054 - State accessibility requirements

Ongoing Efforts

We are committed to ongoing accessibility improvements:

  • Regular accessibility audits using automated tools and manual testing
  • Staff training on accessibility best practices
  • Incorporating accessibility into our development and content creation processes
  • Monitoring for new accessibility guidelines and technologies
  • Gathering and acting on user feedback

Third-Party Content

While we strive to ensure accessibility throughout our website, some third-party content or tools may not be fully accessible. We are committed to working with our vendors to encourage accessibility improvements. If you experience difficulty with any third-party content, please contact us.

Updates to This Statement

We review and update this accessibility statement periodically to reflect our ongoing efforts and any changes to our website or accessibility standards. This statement was last updated on January 1, 2026.

Contact Information

For general inquiries, accessibility concerns, or to request an accessible format of any content on our website:

Galveston Historical Foundation, Inc.
2002 Strand St
Galveston, TX 77550
Phone: +1 (603) 800-3110
Email: mail@galveston-history.org