We firmly believe that the Internet should be available and accessible to everyone, and we are committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of circumstances and abilities.
To achieve this goal, we strive to adhere as closely as possible to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) at Level AA.
These guidelines explain how to make web content accessible to people with a wide range of disabilities. Compliance with these guidelines helps us ensure that the site is accessible to all: (e.g., people with motor impairments, vision difficulties, cognitive disabilities)
This website uses various technologies designed to make it as accessible as possible at all times.
We use an accessibility interface that allows people with specific disabilities to adjust the user interface and the site’s design according to their needs.
In addition, the site uses a widget that corrects the site’s HTML code in real time, adapting its functionality and behavior for screen readers used by blind users and for keyboard functions used by people with motor disabilities.
If you experience any issues or have suggestions for improvements, please email us at: rome@nd.edu
Screen Reader and Keyboard Navigation
Our website implements ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes, together with several behavioral adjustments, to ensure that blind users visiting the site with a screen reader can read, understand, and benefit from the site’s functions.
As soon as a screen reader user enters the site, they receive a prompt to enter the screen reader profile, allowing them to navigate and interact effectively . Below is an overview of how our site addresses key screen reader requirements:
Screen Reader Optimization
We run a background process that analyzes all site components to ensure ongoing compliance, even after updates. This process provides meaningful data to screen readers through the use of ARIA attributes: for example, accurate form labels, descriptions for active icons (social media, search, cart, etc.), validation guidance for form fields, and role definitions for elements such as buttons, menus, modal windows (popups).
The background process also scans all site images and provides accurate and meaningful descriptions based on object recognition, presented as alternative text (ALT) for images lacking description. Texts within images are also extracted using OCR (optical character recognition) technology.
To activate the screen reader functions at any time, simply press Alt+1. In addition, screen reader users automatically receive a prompt to enable the relevant mode as soon as they enter the site.
These measures are compatible with all major screen readers, including JAWS and NVDA.
The background process also adapts the site’s HTML code and adds various behaviors via JavaScript to make it fully accessible by keyboard . This includes navigation using the Tab and Shift+Tab keys, dropdown menu navigation with arrow keys, closing popups with Esc, activating buttons and links with Enter, and navigating between radio buttons and checkboxes with arrow keys, with selection via Space bar or Enter.
Quick navigation and skip-to-content menus are also available, activated at any time with Alt+1, or displayed as the first elements of the site during keyboard navigation.
The process also manages popup windows, immediately shifting focus to the popup and preventing the focus from exiting it.
By activating keyboard navigation through the dedicated widget, users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to quickly jump to specific elements.
Disability Profiles Supported on Our Website
- Epilepsy Safe Mode: eliminates the risk of seizures caused by flashing animations or risky color combinations.
- Vision Impaired Mode: adapts the site for users with vision impairments such as reduced vision, tunnel vision, cataracts, glaucoma, and others.
- Cognitive Disability Mode: provides assistive options to help users with cognitive disabilities (dyslexia, autism, CVA, etc.) focus more easily on essential elements of the site.
- ADHD Friendly Mode: helps users with ADHD and neurodevelopmental disorders read, navigate, and focus on the site’s main elements while minimizing distractions.
- Blind Users Mode: configures the site for maximum compatibility with screen readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack.
- Keyboard Navigation Profile (Motor Disability): enables people with motor disabilities to use the site via keyboard (Tab, Shift+Tab, Enter).
Shortcuts “M”, “H”, “F”, “B”, and “G” are also available for quick access to specific elements.
Additional UI, Design, and Readability Adjustments
- Font Adjustments: users can increase or decrease text size, change font, spacing, alignment, line height, and more.
- Color Adjustments: various contrast profiles (light, dark, inverted, monochrome) are available, along with the option to adjust title, text, and background colors with over seven different combinations.
- Animations: users with epilepsy can disable all animations (videos, GIFs, CSS transitions) with a single click.
- Content Highlighting: elements such as links and headings can be highlighted, or highlighting can be applied only to elements in focus/hover.
- Audio Muting: for users with hearing devices, the entire site can be muted instantly.
- Cognitive Support Tools: a search engine linked to Wikipedia and Wiktionary is available, helping users understand the meaning of terms, acronyms, or slang.
- Additional Functions: options to change cursor color and size, print mode, virtual keyboard, and more.
Browser and Assistive Technology Compatibility
We aim to support as many browsers and assistive technologies as possible so that users can choose the tools that best suit them with minimal limitations.
We have worked to ensure compatibility with the main browsers and technologies used by the majority of users, including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera, Microsoft Edge, JAWS, and NVDA.
Notes, Comments, and Feedback
Despite our best efforts to allow everyone to customize the site to their needs, some pages or sections may not yet be fully accessible, are still being updated, or currently lack a suitable technological solution.
We aim to continuously improve the site: adding, updating, and developing new features to achieve the optimal level of accessibility in line with technological advancements.
For assistance, please contact us at:
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame Rome
Via Ostilia, 15 – 00184 Rome, Italy
Phone: +39 06 772643100
Email: rome@nd.edu