NIAR
Northbridge Institute

Accessibility Statement

NIAR is committed to ensuring digital accessibility and providing equal access to information and services for all users, including those with disabilities.

Last Updated: January 30, 2025

This accessibility statement outlines NIAR's commitment to digital inclusion and our ongoing efforts to ensure accessibility compliance.

Our Commitment

The Northbridge Institute of Algorithmic Regulation (NIAR) is committed to ensuring that our website and digital services are accessible to people with disabilities. We strive to adhere to the accepted guidelines and standards for accessibility and usability.

Accessibility Standards

Our website aims to conform to:

  • ✓ Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA
  • ✓ Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act
  • ✓ Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements
  • ✓ EN 301 549 European accessibility standard

Accessibility Features

Navigation & Structure

  • • Clear heading hierarchy
  • • Consistent navigation structure
  • • Skip links for keyboard users
  • • Logical tab order
  • • Descriptive page titles

Visual Design

  • • High contrast color schemes
  • • Scalable text and images
  • • Alternative text for images
  • • Color-independent information
  • • Readable font choices

Interactive Elements

  • • Keyboard navigation support
  • • Focus indicators
  • • ARIA labels and descriptions
  • • Form validation messages
  • • Error identification

Content & Media

  • • Captions for video content
  • • Audio descriptions when available
  • • Plain language principles
  • • Document accessibility
  • • Multiple format options

Assistive Technology Support

Our website is designed to work with:

Screen Readers

Compatible with JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and other screen reading software

Keyboard Navigation

Full functionality available through keyboard-only navigation

Voice Recognition

Compatible with Dragon NaturallySpeaking and similar voice control software

Magnification Software

Optimized for screen magnifiers like ZoomText and built-in browser zoom

Testing & Evaluation

We regularly evaluate our accessibility through:

  • Automated accessibility testing tools
  • Manual testing with assistive technologies
  • User testing with people with disabilities
  • Regular accessibility audits by third-party experts
  • Ongoing staff training on accessibility best practices

Known Issues & Limitations

Current Areas of Improvement

We are actively working to address the following:

  • • Some older PDF documents may not be fully accessible
  • • Complex data visualizations may need additional descriptions
  • • Some third-party embedded content may have accessibility limitations
  • • Legacy system interfaces are being updated for better accessibility

Alternative Access Options

If you need information in an alternative format, we offer:

Document Formats

  • • Large print versions
  • • High contrast documents
  • • Plain text formats
  • • Audio recordings
  • • Braille (upon request)

Communication Options

  • • TTY/TDD phone services
  • • Email support
  • • Video relay services
  • • Sign language interpretation
  • • In-person assistance

Ongoing Improvements

NIAR is committed to continuous improvement in accessibility. Our current initiatives include:

  • Regular accessibility training for all staff
  • Integration of accessibility requirements in all new development
  • Quarterly accessibility reviews and updates
  • User feedback integration into improvement plans
  • Partnership with disability advocacy organizations

Feedback & Contact

We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of our website and services. If you encounter any accessibility barriers or need assistance, please contact us:

NIAR Accessibility Coordinator

Email: accessibility@niar.foundation

Phone: +1 (202) 555-ACCESS

TTY: +1 (202) 555-TTY1

Address: 1200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230

Response Time: We aim to respond to accessibility feedback within 2 business days.