Accessibility Statement
Effective date: 25 August 2026
The Data Verdict is committed to making its journalism, policies, navigation, forms, multimedia, and other website content usable by as many people as reasonably possible, including people with visual, hearing, mobility, speech, cognitive, neurological, and learning disabilities.
We consider accessibility an ongoing editorial, design, engineering, and product responsibility, rather than a one-time technical certification.
Our Commitment
The Data Verdict aims to maintain its website in substantial alignment with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2, Level AA, where reasonably practicable.
We do not claim that every page, article, document, or third-party component will always be fully conformant.
Websites change continuously, and The Data Verdict may contain legacy content, third-party services, externally supplied media, or older documents that present accessibility barriers.
Rather than overstating compliance, we seek to identify barriers, prioritize meaningful improvements, and provide reasonable alternatives where an immediate technical correction is not possible.
Measures We Take
Our accessibility practices may include:
- Semantic headings and meaningful page structure
- Descriptive page titles
- Keyboard-operable navigation and controls
- Visible keyboard focus indicators
- Appropriate color contrast
- Text alternatives for informative images
- Captions and transcripts where practicable
- Descriptive and meaningful link text
- Properly associated form labels
- Clear error messages and guidance
- Responsive layouts
- Support for browser zoom and increased text size
- Reduced reliance on color alone to communicate information
- Avoidance of unnecessary flashing content
- Careful use of animation and motion
- Accessible tables and data presentations where practicable
- Appropriate descriptions for charts and other visual information
Editors and content producers are expected to consider accessibility when preparing headings, alternative text, tables, captions, charts, links, image descriptions, videos, and downloadable documents.
New website templates, significant design changes, and material product changes should be evaluated for accessibility before broad deployment where reasonably practicable.
Compatibility
The Data Verdict is designed to work with current versions of widely used web browsers and operating systems, as well as common assistive technologies and accessibility features.
This may include:
- Screen readers
- Keyboard navigation
- Voice control
- Magnification tools
- Browser zoom
- Mobile accessibility features
- Operating-system accessibility settings
Actual results may vary depending on the browser, operating system, assistive technology, device, extension, or other software being used.
We aim to ensure that users can increase text size and zoom without losing essential information or functionality, subject to limitations imposed by third-party embeds, externally hosted content, or legacy documents.
Known and Potential Limitations
Some older articles, archived material, downloadable documents, third-party embeds, screenshots, complex charts, interactive features, and externally supplied media may not yet meet every accessibility objective.
Automated captions, transcripts, summaries, and alternative text may contain errors. Material accessibility information should therefore be reviewed by a person where accuracy is important to understanding the underlying content.
Third-party widgets and services may introduce accessibility limitations that The Data Verdict cannot directly correct. Where possible, we seek alternatives or appropriate workarounds.
Where a significant accessibility barrier cannot be corrected immediately, we may provide an alternative such as:
- An accessible summary
- A text version
- A transcript
- A descriptive explanation
- An alternative document format
- Direct assistance
We do not regard an accessibility overlay or automated accessibility tool as a substitute for addressing underlying content, design, and code problems.
Feedback and Alternative Formats
We welcome accessibility feedback and requests for alternative formats.
Accessibility contact: accessibility@thedataverdict.com
When reporting a problem, please provide, where possible:
- The page or document affected
- A description of the barrier
- The browser or assistive technology being used, if relevant
- The device or operating system, if relevant
- The format, adjustment, or alternative that would help
Please do not include disability, medical, or other sensitive personal information unless it is genuinely necessary to explain the accessibility request.
We aim to acknowledge specific accessibility requests within five business days and provide a substantive response, proposed solution, or remediation plan within a reasonable period based on the nature and complexity of the issue.
Requests involving time-sensitive public-interest information will be prioritized where practicable.
Assessment and Review
Accessibility is assessed using a combination of:
- Automated accessibility checks
- Keyboard testing
- Content and semantic inspection
- Responsive testing
- Browser and device testing
- Human review
- Assistive-technology testing where appropriate
Automated testing cannot establish complete accessibility on its own. Manual assessment is therefore particularly important for critical templates, major website changes, and high-impact content.
This statement is reviewed at least annually and following substantial redesigns or material changes to the website’s accessibility approach.
Last reviewed: 25 August 2026.
Enforcement and Escalation
If an accessibility concern cannot be resolved through the accessibility contact, the matter may be escalated through The Data Verdict’s formal complaints process.
Complaints contact: complaints@thedataverdict.com
This internal process does not limit any right to contact a competent regulatory or public authority, pursue a legal remedy, or use another mechanism available under applicable law.