Conformance Summary
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) define requirements for designers and developers to improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities. It defines three levels of conformance: Level A, Level AA, and Level AAA.
Target Standard: WCAG 2.1 Level AA
FoodBankSearch.com is partially conformant with WCAG 2.1 Level AA. Partially conformant means that some parts of the content do not yet fully conform to the strictest accessibility standard, though the majority of our platform meets or exceeds these criteria. We are dedicated to ongoing remediation to bridge any remaining gaps.
Access to food is a fundamental human necessity. As an independent, free public directory connecting communities with emergency food pantries, meal programs, SNAP assistance, and WIC support, we treat digital accessibility as an essential ethical obligation.
Measures Taken to Support Accessibility
FoodBankSearch takes the following proactive measures to ensure accessibility across our web pages, directories, and search interfaces:
Keyboard Navigation
All primary links, interactive search fields, modal dialogs, and navigation menus are operable via keyboard alone using logical tab order and visible focus outlines.
Screen Reader Testing
Pages are built with semantic HTML5 elements (<header>, <main>, <nav>, <footer>) and verified with VoiceOver and NVDA for clear auditory announcements.
Color Contrast & Text
Text elements meet or exceed the minimum 4.5:1 contrast ratio against their backgrounds. We avoid relying exclusively on color to convey essential information.
Descriptive Text Alternatives
Meaningful images include descriptive alt text, while purely decorative illustrations are marked with aria-hidden="true" to prevent screen reader noise.
Evaluation Scope & Technical Conformance
The following table outlines our evaluation of core technical areas across FoodBankSearch.com:
| Feature / Accessibility Area | Status | Technical Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Text Alternatives (WCAG 1.1.1) | Pass | Descriptive alternative text provided for all informative graphics, maps, and logos. |
| Keyboard Navigation (WCAG 2.1.1) | Pass | Full keyboard operability across directory search inputs, filter buttons, and navigation. |
| Bypass Blocks / Skip Links (WCAG 2.4.1) | Pass | Prominent “Skip to main content” link available as the first focusable element on every page. |
| Color Contrast Ratio (WCAG 1.4.3) | Pass | High-contrast text tokens meeting the 4.5:1 ratio for normal body copy and 3:1 for large headings. |
| Form Labels & Instructions (WCAG 3.3.2) | Pass | Explicit <label> tags and ARIA descriptors paired with all search and submission forms. |
| Responsive Layout & Zoom (WCAG 1.4.4) | Pass | Fluid layout scales up to 200% browser zoom without loss of functionality or horizontal scroll traps. |
| Third-Party Maps & Widgets (WCAG 4.1.2) | Partial | Embedded Google Maps may present interactive focus limits; text address fallbacks are always provided. |
Assistive Technology & Browser Compatibility
FoodBankSearch is built to be compatible with the following browsers, mobile operating systems, and assistive technologies:
Known Limitations & Remediation
Despite our best efforts to ensure accessibility across FoodBankSearch.com, there may be some limitations. We transparently document these areas below:
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Third-Party Embedded Interactive Maps: Embedded Google Maps iframe elements may pose keyboard navigation challenges. Remediation: We always provide complete plain-text addresses, telephone numbers, and transit details immediately adjacent to all maps.
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Legacy Downloadable Documents: Some community outreach flyers or older PDF reports may not be fully tagged for screen readers. Remediation: We are converting key toolkits to HTML web pages and will provide text equivalents upon request.
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User-Generated Organization Listings: Listing descriptions submitted directly by partner food banks may occasionally lack optimal formatting. Remediation: Our editorial team reviews submissions before publishing to ensure content adheres to accessibility standards.
Feedback & Accessibility Assistance
We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of FoodBankSearch.com. If you encounter accessibility barriers, experience difficulty reading any section of the site, or have suggestions for improvement, please let us know:
Accessibility Support Team
Our support staff is dedicated to resolving accessibility concerns promptly. We typically reply within 1 to 2 business days.