Accessibility Statement

Our Commitment to Accessibility

At Thespian's Forge, we believe that everyone deserves equal access to information and opportunities. We are dedicated to providing a website that is usable and accessible to all people, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. We are guided by the principles of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, level AA, and strive to meet or exceed these standards.

We understand that accessibility is an ongoing effort, and we are constantly learning and evolving our practices to improve. We are committed to regularly reviewing and updating our website to ensure that it remains accessible and inclusive.

Eleanor Vance, our founding instructor, emphasizes this commitment: "Accessibility isn't just a checklist; it's a core value that informs everything we do at Thespian's Forge. We want everyone to feel welcome and empowered to explore the world of acting, and that starts with ensuring our website is accessible to all."

Accessibility Features

We have implemented the following features to enhance the accessibility of our website:

• Semantic HTML: We use semantic HTML5 elements to structure our content, providing a clear and logical organization for screen readers and other assistive technologies.
• Alternative Text: All images have descriptive alternative text (alt text) that conveys the content and function of the image to users who cannot see it.
• Keyboard Navigation: Our website is fully navigable using a keyboard, allowing users who cannot use a mouse or other pointing device to access all content and functionality.
• Color Contrast: We have carefully selected color combinations that provide sufficient contrast between text and background, ensuring readability for users with low vision or color blindness.
• Resizable Text: Users can easily increase or decrease the text size using their browser settings without loss of content or functionality.
• Clear and Consistent Navigation: Our website has a clear and consistent navigation structure, making it easy for users to find the information they need.
• Form Labels: All form fields are properly labeled, providing clear instructions and context for users filling out forms.
• ARIA Attributes: We use ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes to enhance the accessibility of dynamic content and interactive elements, providing additional information to assistive technologies.
• Video Captions and Transcripts: All videos are captioned, and transcripts are provided for audio content, making them accessible to users who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• Responsive Design: Our website is designed to be responsive and adapt to different screen sizes and devices, ensuring a consistent and accessible experience on desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
• Dark Mode: We offer a dark mode option, allowing users to switch to a high-contrast color scheme that may be easier on the eyes, especially in low-light conditions.

We are also working to ensure that all of our downloadable documents, such as course syllabi and audition materials, are accessible. We are committed to providing these documents in accessible formats, such as tagged PDFs or HTML.

Specific Accessibility Considerations for Acting Students

We understand that aspiring actors may have diverse accessibility needs. In addition to our website accessibility efforts, we are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities in our acting classes and workshops. This may include:

• Providing written scripts in large print or Braille
• Offering preferential seating in classrooms
• Allowing assistive devices in class
• Providing alternative methods of participation in exercises
• Working with students to adapt exercises to meet their individual needs

If you have any specific accessibility needs or require accommodations, please contact us at [email protected] or call us at (212) 555-ACT1 (2281). We are committed to working with you to create an inclusive and accessible learning environment.

Conformance Status

The Thespian's Forge website is partially conformant with WCAG 2.1 level AA. Partially conformant means that some parts of the content do not fully conform to the accessibility standard.

We are actively working to address these areas and bring our website into full conformance. Our ongoing efforts include:

• Auditing our website regularly using automated and manual testing methods
• Training our staff on accessibility best practices
• Incorporating accessibility considerations into our design and development processes
• Seeking feedback from users with disabilities

We are committed to transparency and will provide updates on our progress as we continue to improve the accessibility of our website.

Feedback

We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of the Thespian's Forge website. Please let us know if you encounter any accessibility barriers or have suggestions for how we can improve our website to better meet your needs.

You can contact us by:

• Emailing us at [email protected]
• Calling us at (212) 555-ACT1 (2281)
• Using our online contact form

We will do our best to respond to your feedback in a timely manner and address any accessibility issues you report.

Our Accessibility Coordinator, David Chen, is dedicated to addressing your concerns. He stated: "We are eager to hear from our users and value their input. Your feedback is crucial to helping us create a truly accessible website for everyone."

Report an Accessibility Issue

To help us address accessibility issues effectively, please provide the following information when reporting a problem:

• The URL of the page where you encountered the issue
• A description of the problem you experienced
• The assistive technology you were using (e.g., screen reader, keyboard)
• Your contact information (optional)

We appreciate your help in making our website more accessible.

Accessibility Resources

For more information on web accessibility, we recommend the following resources:

• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
• Section 508
• ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications)

Compatibility with Browsers and Assistive Technology

The Thespian's Forge website is designed to be compatible with a wide range of browsers and assistive technologies, including:

• Chrome
• Firefox
• Safari
• Microsoft Edge
• JAWS
• NVDA
• VoiceOver

We regularly test our website with these browsers and assistive technologies to ensure compatibility and identify any potential issues.

If you encounter any compatibility problems, please let us know, and we will do our best to address them.