Accessibility
What we have built for accessibility, what we are still working on, and how to tell us when something blocks you.
Our Commitment
We believe that everyone deserves equal access to resources that support recovery. The AA Directory strives to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 Level AA standards, which are internationally recognized guidelines for web accessibility.
Recovery support should be available to all, regardless of physical or cognitive ability. Our accessibility efforts are ongoing, and we regularly test and improve our website to ensure it remains accessible.
Conformance Status
We build to WCAG 2.2 Level AA and most of the site meets it, but we are not claiming full conformance: some pages have known gaps, and a badge asserting otherwise would be worth less than this sentence. Where we fall short, we would rather you told us than trusted a label.
Accessibility Features
The following accessibility features have been implemented across our website:
- Keyboard Navigation
- All interactive elements are accessible via keyboard. Use Tab to navigate, Enter or Space to activate buttons and links.
- Focus Indicators
- Visible focus rings appear on all interactive elements when navigating with a keyboard, making it clear which element is currently selected.
- Skip Navigation
- A 'Skip to main content' link allows keyboard users to bypass repetitive navigation and jump directly to page content.
- Color Contrast
- Text and interactive elements meet WCAG AA contrast ratios (4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text) ensuring readability for users with low vision.
- Screen Reader Support
- Proper semantic HTML, ARIA labels, and descriptive link text ensure compatibility with screen readers like NVDA, JAWS, and VoiceOver.
- Responsive Design
- Content reflows and remains functional at 200% zoom and on all screen sizes without horizontal scrolling.
- Text Alternatives
- All meaningful images have descriptive alt text. Decorative images are marked as presentational to avoid screen reader clutter.
- Clear Link Purpose
- Link text clearly describes the destination or action. Meeting links include context about day, time, and location.
- Consistent Navigation
- Navigation menus appear in the same location on every page, providing a predictable and learnable interface.
- Form Labels
- All form inputs have associated labels, and error messages provide clear guidance on how to fix issues.
- Touch Target Size
- All interactive elements meet the 44x44 pixel minimum touch target size for users with motor impairments.
- Focus Not Obscured
- Focused elements remain visible and are not hidden behind sticky headers or other fixed content.
Assistive Technology Compatibility
Our website is designed to be compatible with the following assistive technologies:
- Screen Readers: NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver (macOS/iOS), TalkBack (Android)
- Screen Magnification: ZoomText, Windows Magnifier, macOS Zoom
- Speech Recognition: Dragon NaturallySpeaking, Voice Control
- Keyboard-Only Navigation: Full functionality without a mouse
- High Contrast Modes: Windows High Contrast, system dark mode
We test with multiple browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge on desktop and mobile devices.
Keyboard Navigation Guide
You can navigate our entire website using only a keyboard:
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| Tab | Move to next interactive element |
| Shift + Tab | Move to previous interactive element |
| Enter | Activate links and buttons |
| Space | Activate buttons, toggle checkboxes |
| Escape | Close dropdowns and dialogs |
| Arrow Keys | Navigate within menus and components |
Meeting Accessibility Information
We display accessibility information for AA meetings when available:
- Wheelchair Access - Meeting location is wheelchair accessible
- Wheelchair-Accessible Bathroom - Accessible restroom facilities
- Sign Language - ASL interpretation available
- Online/Hybrid Meetings - Join from home via video conference
- Child-Friendly - Children are welcome at the meeting
- Babysitting Available - Childcare provided during meeting
Use our meeting filters to find meetings with specific accessibility features.
Known Limitations
While we strive for full accessibility, some limitations may exist:
- Third-party embedded content (such as maps) may have varying levels of accessibility
- Some older meeting data may have incomplete accessibility information
- PDF documents linked from external AA resources may not be fully accessible
We are actively working to address these limitations and improve accessibility across all areas of our website.
Feedback & Contact
We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of The AA Directory. If you encounter any accessibility barriers or have suggestions for improvement, please contact us:
Email: contact@theaadirectory.com
We aim to respond to accessibility feedback within 5 business days and will work to resolve issues as quickly as possible.
Technical Specifications
This website relies on the following technologies for accessibility:
- HTML5 semantic elements
- WAI-ARIA attributes for enhanced screen reader support
- CSS for visual presentation and focus indicators
- JavaScript for interactive functionality with keyboard support
Standards & Guidelines
This accessibility statement is based on the following standards: