Accessibility Center

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Our Commitment to Accessibility

Creative West is dedicated to providing inclusive and accessible spaces in the arts. We recognize accessibility is an ongoing commitment, and we rely on our team and partners to learn and implement practices that enhance the experience for all we serve in the Creative West region and beyond.

Our accessibility initiatives align with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.1, level AA criteria. We aim to make our content accessible to those with sensory, cognitive, and mobility disabilities.

Recent & Completed Improvements

We’re always working to improve accessibility. Here’s what we’ve recently updated:

Date Improvement Details Status
April 2025 Homepage Improvements Marked slideshow images as decorative.

Added ability to pause and play the slider on the homepage. 

Added focus states for slider controls.

Improved search field labels for screen readers.

Updated link labels to be shorter and clearer for featured collections, exhibitions, “Surprise Me” images, and cards.

Improved search buttons and heading structure, and included the search results in the focus order.

 ✅ Released
April 2025 Global Improvements  Updated link naming so it announces when links open in another tab or window. 

Added focus state for logo and menu.

Improved keyboard functionality with menu

Added “Skip to Content” link to all pages. 

Updated color contrasts for hovering over links. 

 ✅ Released
April 2025 Search Improvements Updated labels to include Filter By language for screen readers. 

Improved the accessible name for the On/Off View filter.

Added announcements for expanded/collapsed filter state.

Added “Apply Filter” buttons at the top and bottom of lists and set filters to automatically close after applying.

 ✅ Released
April 2025 Upgraded CMS Version to 8.1 Upgraded to new version of CMS which includes improvements for navigation, keyboard functionality and screen reader compatibility.  ✅ Released
June 2024 Added Alt Text Updated the site to use the details available in the alt text field on the Collection Management System instead of using the title. This will update as users add in alt text. ✅ Released

Upcoming Accessibility Improvements

Here’s what we’re actively working on to improve accessibility:

Feature/Fix Expected Release Impact Status
Map/Location Improvements 2026 Add list friendly versions of locations so users don’t have to do the map.  🔄 Planned
Add Address to Artwork Details Page 2026 Add the address as plain text or field on the artwork detail page.  🏗 In Progress
Improve Heading Structure 2026 Improve the heading structure throughout the site.  🔄 Planned
Improve Minor Contrast Issues 2026 Improve minor contrast color issues.  🔄 Planned

How to Get Support or Provide Feedback

Creative West is committed to continuously improving our technical platforms, and we invite all users to reach out with questions, concerns, or feedback on the accessibility of our sites.

We want to hear from you! If you experience any accessibility issues or have suggestions, please reach out. Thank you for helping us create a more inclusive experience!

Email: accessibility@WeAreCreativeWest.org
Submit the form below.