Accessibility

Last updated October 20, 2024

Our Website

We are working to make the content of the Sign Language Dictionary (SLD) website accessible to all users. We endeavor to make the website fully accessible, regardless of your device, web browser, or operating system. We have designed the website to comply with the standards set forth by the World Wide Web Consortium's (W3C) Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) accessibility guidelines. As such, following their four design principles, our website is intended to be:

Following the current version of these guidelines, WCAG 2.2, the immediate goal is that the website satisfies Level A conformance; after which Level AA conformance will be pursued. A detailed WCAG 2.2 Checklist is provided on this page for users to track progress of the website. The Checklist is presented as a table, and each column includes a principle, its corresponding guidelines, its corresponding testable success criteria, the corresponding level of conformance it satisfies (A, AA, AAA), and the status of our conformance.

Some pages of this website do not yet meet conformance, and some users may encounter undesirable issues. If you encounter an issue not documented on our Checklist, then please Contact Us. Be sure to note the specific page(s) and relevant success criteria number(s).

User feedback is essential to achieving and maintaining website accessibility. If you have any insights on accessibility that have not been addressed by the content on this page, then please Contact Us.

We will continue to update the Checklist as further improvements are made to the site. For more general information on accessibility, please see the W3 Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.

Browser & Device Compatibility

The SLD content, search, and browse features are presented in HTML. The SLD is optimized for desktop versions on the following web browsers: Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Mozilla Firefox.

Add-ons, extensions, or plug-ins are also available for these browsers, which can improve your experience of the website. The following links to such resources have been compiled by each browser's respective developers:

As of October 2024, the website has not been tested for use on tablets or smartphones.

Appearance

CSS formatting is powered by Bootstrap 5.3.3. You may refer to their accessibility article for additional specifications.

For additional information, such as color contrast, magnification, and responsiveness, please review our WCAG Checklist.

Operability & Navigation

Our website can be navigated with mouse or keyboard. Additionally, the pages can be navigated by links in the header and footer of each page, as well as left-side navigation bars for pages with long-form content. The following subsections address additional guidance on navigating the SLD website.

Keyboard-Only

All elements of this website are designed to be navigable and may be activated using your keyboard.

There are several dropdown menus across the website. Dropdowns can be used by focusing on the dropdown with the mouse, or with the keyboard using Tab followed by ↑ or ↓ to change your selection. Each dropdown can be closed by pressing Esc.

Hyperlinks can be focused on and activated with the mouse, or with the keyboard by using Tab followed by Enter.

Dictionary entries are laid out in a tabbed structure, such that each tab's content is relevant to the specific entry in which it is contained. These tabs may be accessed either with the mouse or keyboard. To access tabs with the mouse, left-click on the desired tab. To access tabs with the keyboard, use Tab to navigate to the Definition tab, then use ← and → to navigate between the Etymology and References tabs or back to the Definition tab.

Copy Requests & Copyrights

Users who require alternative formats to access the SLD's content may request copies of dictionary entries or supplementary materials, which can be provided in the form of accessible pdf files. Please submit copy requests via the Contact Us page.

Downloadable content will also be provided. Downloadable content will be made available on our Library page. Downloadable content may or may not conform with Section 508 of the US Rehabilitation Act of 1973. If you find that one of our pdf files is not accessible to you, then please send a request via the Contact Us page and we will work to remediate the issue.

Be advised that requested copies and downloadable content fall under the intellectual property rights, which includes copy rights, as described on our Terms of Use page. Please review that page for further details.

WCAG 2.2 Checklist

Greater than 90% compliance
Less than 90% compliance
Not Yet Applicable
Principle Guideline Success Criteria Level Status
1. Perceivable 1.1 Text Alternatives 1.1.1 Non-text Content A
1. Perceivable 1.2 Time-based Media 1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded) A
1. Perceivable 1.2 Time-based Media 1.2.2 Captions (Prerecorded) A
1. Perceivable 1.2 Time-based Media 1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded) A
1. Perceivable 1.2 Time-based Media 1.2.4 Captions (Live) AA
1. Perceivable 1.2 Time-based Media 1.2.5 Audio Description (Prerecorded) AA
1. Perceivable 1.2 Time-based Media 1.2.6 Sign language (Prerecorded) AAA
1. Perceivable 1.2 Time-based Media 1.2.7 Extended Audio Description (Prerecorded) AAA
1. Perceivable 1.2 Time-based Media 1.2.8 Media Alternative (Prerecorded) AAA
1. Perceivable 1.2 Time-based Media 1.2.9 Audio-only (Live) AAA
1. Perceivable 1.3 Adaptable 1.3.1 Info and Relationships A
1. Perceivable 1.3 Adaptable 1.3.2 Meaningful Sequence A
1. Perceivable 1.3 Adaptable 1.3.3 Sensory Characteristics A
1. Perceivable 1.3 Adaptable 1.3.4 Orientation AA
1. Perceivable 1.3 Adaptable 1.3.5 Identify Input Purpose AA
1. Perceivable 1.3 Adaptable 1.3.6 Identify Purpose AAA
1. Perceivable 1.4 Distinguishable 1.4.1 Use of Color A
1. Perceivable 1.4 Distinguishable 1.4.2 Audio Control A
1. Perceivable 1.4 Distinguishable 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) AA
1. Perceivable 1.4 Distinguishable 1.4.4 Resize Text AA
1. Perceivable 1.4 Distinguishable 1.4.5 Images of Text AA
1. Perceivable 1.4 Distinguishable 1.4.6 Contrast (Enhanced) AAA
1. Perceivable 1.4 Distinguishable 1.4.7 Low or No Background Audio AAA
1. Perceivable 1.4 Distinguishable 1.4.8 Visual Presentation AAA
1. Perceivable 1.4 Distinguishable 1.4.9 Images of Text (No Exception) AAA
1. Perceivable 1.4 Distinguishable 1.4.10 Reflow AA
1. Perceivable 1.4 Distinguishable 1.4.11 Non-text Contrast AA
1. Perceivable 1.4 Distinguishable 1.4.12 Text Spacing AA
1. Perceivable 1.4 Distinguishable 1.4.13 Content on Hover or Focus AA
2. Operable 2.1 Keyboard Accessible 2.1.1 Keyboard A
2. Operable 2.1 Keyboard Accessible 2.1.2 No Keyboard Trap A
2. Operable 2.1 Keyboard Accessible 2.1.3 Keyboard (No Exception) AAA
2. Operable 2.1 Keyboard Accessible 2.1.4 Character Key Shortcuts A
2. Operable 2.2 Enough Time 2.2.1 Timing Adjustable A
2. Operable 2.2 Enough Time 2.2.2 Pause, Stop, Hide A
2. Operable 2.2 Enough Time 2.2.3 No Timing AAA
2. Operable 2.2 Enough Time 2.2.4 Interruptions AAA
2. Operable 2.2 Enough Time 2.2.5 Re-authenticating AAA
2. Operable 2.2 Enough Time 2.2.6 Timeouts AAA
2. Operable 2.3 Seizures and Physical Reactions 2.3.1 Three Flashes or Below Threshold A
2. Operable 2.3 Seizures and Physical Reactions 2.3.2 Three Flashes AAA
2. Operable 2.3 Seizures and Physical Reactions 2.3.3 Animation from Interactions AAA
2. Operable 2.4 Navigable 2.4.1 Bypass Blocks A
2. Operable 2.4 Navigable 2.4.2 Page Titled A
2. Operable 2.4 Navigable 2.4.3 Focus Order A
2. Operable 2.4 Navigable 2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context) A
2. Operable 2.4 Navigable 2.4.5 Multiple Ways AA
2. Operable 2.4 Navigable 2.4.6 Headings and Labels AA
2. Operable 2.4 Navigable 2.4.7 Focus Visible AA
2. Operable 2.4 Navigable 2.4.8 Location AAA
2. Operable 2.4 Navigable 2.4.9 Link Purpose (Link Only) AAA
2. Operable 2.4 Navigable 2.4.10 Section Headings AAA
2. Operable 2.4 Navigable 2.4.11 Focus Not Obscured (Minimum) AA
2. Operable 2.4 Navigable 2.4.12 Focus Not Obscured (Enhanced) AAA
2. Operable 2.4 Navigable 2.4.13 Focus Appearance AAA
2. Operable 2.5 Input Modalities 2.5.1 Pointer Gestures A
2. Operable 2.5 Input Modalities 2.5.2 Pointer Cancellation A
2. Operable 2.5 Input Modalities 2.5.3 Label in Name A
2. Operable 2.5 Input Modalities 2.5.4 Motion Actuation A
2. Operable 2.5 Input Modalities 2.5.5 Target Size (Enhanced) AAA
2. Operable 2.5 Input Modalities 2.5.6 Concurrent Input Mechanisms AAA
2. Operable 2.5 Input Modalities 2.5.7 Dragging Movements AA
2. Operable 2.5 Input Modalities 2.5.8 Target Size (Minimum) AA
3. Understandable 3.1 Readable 3.1.1 Language of Page A
3. Understandable 3.1 Readable 3.1.2 Language of Parts AA
3. Understandable 3.1 Readable 3.1.3 Unusual Words AAA
3. Understandable 3.1 Readable 3.1.4 Abbreviations AAA
3. Understandable 3.1 Readable 3.1.5 Reading Level AAA
3. Understandable 3.1 Readable 3.1.6 Pronunciation AAA
3. Understandable 3.2 Predictable 3.2.1 On Focus A
3. Understandable 3.2 Predictable 3.2.2 On Input A
3. Understandable 3.2 Predictable 3.2.3 Consistent Navigation AA
3. Understandable 3.2 Predictable 3.2.4 Consistent Identification AA
3. Understandable 3.2 Predictable 3.2.5 Change on Request AAA
3. Understandable 3.2 Predictable 3.2.6 Consistent Help A
3. Understandable 3.3 Input Assistance 3.3.1 Error Identification A
3. Understandable 3.3 Input Assistance 3.3.2 Labels or Instructions A
3. Understandable 3.3 Input Assistance 3.3.3 Error Suggestion AA
3. Understandable 3.3 Input Assistance 3.3.4 Error Prevention (Legal, Financial, Data) AA
3. Understandable 3.3 Input Assistance 3.3.5 Help AAA
3. Understandable 3.3 Input Assistance 3.3.6 Error Prevention (All) AAA
3. Understandable 3.3 Input Assistance 3.3.7 Redundant Entry A
3. Understandable 3.3 Input Assistance 3.3.8 Accessible Authentication (Minimum) AA
3. Understandable 3.3 Input Assistance 3.3.9 Accessible Authentication (Enhanced) AAA
4. Robust 4.1 Compatible 4.1.1 Parsing (Obsolete and removed) A
4. Robust 4.1 Compatible 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value A
4. Robust 4.1 Compatible 4.1.3 Status Messages AA

If you have concerns about content or materials that appear on the SLD website, which are not addressed by the above information, please Contact Us.