Accessibility Statement

Committed to inclusive digital experiences for all users

Last Reviewed: November 11, 2025

Next Scheduled Review: May 11, 2026

Our Commitment to Accessibility

ETHOS Institute 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.

Accessibility is Core to Our Mission

As an organization dedicated to ethical AI governance, we recognize that accessibility is fundamental to inclusive technology. We strive to make our resources, tools, and guidance available to all users, regardless of ability or assistive technology used.

Accessibility Standards

We aim to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards issued by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).

Current Conformance Status

We are actively working toward full WCAG 2.1 Level AA conformance. Our website has been designed with accessibility in mind from the ground up, and we conduct regular audits to identify and address barriers.

Most Recent Audit: November 2025
Next Scheduled Audit: May 2026

Accessibility Features

We have implemented the following accessibility features across our website:

Keyboard Navigation

  • Full keyboard accessibility for all interactive elements
  • Clear focus indicators on all focusable elements
  • Logical tab order throughout the site
  • Skip-to-main-content links for efficient navigation

Visual Design

  • High contrast color combinations (WCAG AA minimum 4.5:1 ratio)
  • Text resizable up to 200% without loss of content or functionality
  • No content relies solely on color to convey information
  • Consistent visual design and layout throughout

Screen Reader Support

  • Semantic HTML5 for proper content structure
  • ARIA landmarks and labels where appropriate
  • Alternative text for all meaningful images
  • Descriptive link text (no "click here" links)
  • Form labels and error messages clearly associated with inputs

Content Structure

  • Proper heading hierarchy (H1 through H6)
  • Lists used appropriately for related items
  • Tables include proper headers and scope attributes
  • Clear, concise language avoiding jargon where possible
  • Consistent navigation and page layouts

Responsive Design

  • Mobile-friendly responsive layout
  • Touch targets sized appropriately (minimum 44x44px)
  • Content adapts to different screen sizes and orientations
  • Tested across multiple devices and screen sizes

Multimedia

  • Video content includes captions where available
  • Audio content includes transcripts where applicable
  • Media players include accessible controls
  • No auto-playing audio or video

Forms & Interactive Tools

  • Clear form labels and instructions
  • Error messages clearly describe the issue and solution
  • Required fields are clearly indicated
  • Sufficient time limits with ability to extend when needed

Known Limitations

Despite our best efforts, we acknowledge some known accessibility limitations:

1. Third-Party Embedded Videos

Issue: Some embedded videos from third-party platforms may not have captions or transcripts

Impact: Users who are deaf or hard of hearing may have difficulty accessing video content

Workaround: We are working with content creators to add captions to all video content

Expected Resolution: Q2 2026

2. PDF Documents in Resource Library

Issue: Some older PDF documents may not be fully accessible to screen readers

Impact: Screen reader users may experience difficulty reading some PDF content

Workaround: We are systematically reviewing and remediating PDFs. Contact us if you need an accessible version of a specific document

Expected Resolution: Q3 2026

3. Complex Data Visualizations

Issue: Some data visualizations and charts may not have sufficient text alternatives

Impact: Users who cannot see visual content may miss important information

Workaround: We are adding detailed text descriptions and data tables as alternatives to complex visualizations

Expected Resolution: Q4 2026

Note: Contact us if you need alternative formats for specific visualizations

Compatible Technologies

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

Screen Readers (Tested)

  • JAWS (Windows)
  • NVDA (Windows)
  • VoiceOver (macOS, iOS)
  • TalkBack (Android)

Browsers (Supported)

  • Google Chrome (latest)
  • Mozilla Firefox (latest)
  • Safari (latest)
  • Microsoft Edge (latest)

Other Assistive Technologies

  • Screen magnification software
  • Speech recognition software (Dragon NaturallySpeaking)
  • Alternative keyboard devices
  • Switch access devices

Accessibility Feedback

Report an Accessibility Issue

We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of the ETHOS Institute website. If you encounter accessibility barriers, please let us know so we can improve.

Contact Information:

ETHOS Institute

Email: info@ethos.institute

When reporting an issue, please include:

  • The page URL where you encountered the barrier
  • A description of the problem and how it affects your use of the site
  • The assistive technology you were using (if applicable)
  • Your browser and operating system

Formal Complaints Procedure

If you are not satisfied with our response to your accessibility concerns, you may escalate your complaint:

Step 1: Initial Contact

Contact us at info@ethos.institute with details of your accessibility concern. We aim to respond within 5 business days.

Step 2: Escalation

If you are not satisfied with our initial response, you may request escalation to our senior management team. We will provide a full response within 10 business days.

Step 3: External Support

If you remain unsatisfied, you may contact the following organizations for support:

Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS)

Website: https://www.equalityadvisoryservice.com

Phone: 0808 800 0082

Provides free confidential advice on discrimination and human rights issues

Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)

Website: https://www.equalityhumanrights.com

Technical Specifications

Accessibility of this website relies on the following technologies:

HTML5 for semantic content structure
CSS3 for visual presentation and responsive design
JavaScript for interactive features (with graceful degradation)
ARIA for enhanced accessibility semantics

SVG for scalable graphics and icons (with alternative text where appropriate)

Assessment Approach & Review

Automated Testing

We use automated accessibility testing tools to regularly scan our website:

  • Weekly on all public pages
  • Immediately after any major updates or new feature releases

Manual Audits

Comprehensive manual accessibility audits by trained accessibility specialists using:

  • WCAG 2.1 Level AA checklist
  • Multiple screen readers and assistive technologies
  • Keyboard-only navigation testing
  • Color contrast analysis
  • Real-world usage scenarios

Frequency: Quarterly (every 3 months)

User Testing

We conduct user testing sessions with people who use assistive technologies:

  • Screen reader users
  • Keyboard-only users
  • Screen magnification users
  • Voice control users

Frequency: Bi-annually (every 6 months)

Team Training

All team members involved in website development receive training on:

  • WCAG 2.1 guidelines and best practices
  • Accessible design principles
  • Inclusive content writing
  • Testing with assistive technologies

Review Schedule

This statement was last reviewed on: November 11, 2025

Next scheduled review: May 11, 2026

We review this statement bi-annually and after any significant website changes or feature additions.

Our Ongoing Commitment

We are committed to continually improving the accessibility of our website and ensuring that it remains a welcoming and inclusive space for all users. Accessibility is not a one-time achievement but an ongoing journey, and we appreciate your patience and feedback as we work to provide the best possible experience for everyone.

Our goal is to exceed minimum accessibility standards and to champion best practices in inclusive design across all our digital platforms. We view accessibility challenges not as obstacles, but as opportunities to innovate and improve the user experience for everyone.

Inclusive by Design

Built with accessibility considerations from the start

Continuous Improvement

Regular audits and updates to maintain standards

User Feedback

Your input helps us identify and fix barriers