Our commitment to making JudgeFinder.io accessible to everyone
Last updated: January 2025
Our Commitment to Accessibility
JudgeFinder.io is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for all users, including people with disabilities. We continuously work to improve the user experience and apply relevant accessibility standards to ensure our platform is accessible to everyone.
Legal Access to Justice
We believe that access to judicial information is a fundamental component of justice. Making our platform accessible ensures that all legal professionals, researchers, and members of the public can effectively utilize judicial data regardless of ability or disability.
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Compliance
JudgeFinder.io strives to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 at Level AA. These guidelines explain how to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities.
WCAG 2.1 Principles:
Perceivable
Information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive (text alternatives, captions, adaptable content, sufficient contrast)
Operable
User interface components and navigation must be operable (keyboard accessible, sufficient time, seizure-safe, navigable)
Understandable
Information and operation of user interface must be understandable (readable, predictable, input assistance)
Robust
Content must be robust enough to be interpreted by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies
Accessibility Features
JudgeFinder.io includes the following accessibility features to enhance usability for all users:
Keyboard Navigation
Full Keyboard Support: All interactive elements can be accessed and operated using keyboard alone (no mouse required)
Logical Tab Order: Tab key navigation follows a logical, predictable order through page elements
Focus Indicators: Visible focus indicators clearly show which element currently has keyboard focus
Skip Links: "Skip to main content" link allows users to bypass repetitive navigation and jump directly to primary content
Keyboard Shortcuts: Common keyboard shortcuts are supported throughout the platform:
Tab - Move forward through interactive elements
Shift + Tab - Move backward through interactive elements
Enter or Space - Activate buttons and links
Esc - Close dialogs and modals
Arrow Keys - Navigate within menus, lists, and complex widgets
Visual Accessibility
High Contrast Ratios: Text and interactive elements meet WCAG AA contrast requirements (minimum 4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text)
Dark Mode Support: Full dark mode theme option reduces eye strain and accommodates light sensitivity
Responsive Text Sizing: Text can be resized up to 200% without loss of functionality or content
Color Independence: Information is not conveyed by color alone; icons, labels, and patterns provide additional context
Clear Typography: Readable fonts (16px minimum for body text) with appropriate line height and spacing
No Flash Content: Platform does not include flashing or strobing content that could trigger seizures
Zoom Support: Platform remains functional at browser zoom levels up to 400%
Screen Reader Compatibility
Semantic HTML: Proper HTML5 semantic elements (header, nav, main, article, aside, footer) provide meaningful structure
ARIA Labels: Comprehensive ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) labels and roles provide context for screen readers
Descriptive Text Alternatives: All images, charts, and graphics include descriptive alt text or ARIA labels
Landmark Regions: Page regions are clearly identified with ARIA landmarks for easy navigation
Live Regions: Dynamic content updates are announced to screen reader users via ARIA live regions
Form Labels: All form inputs have properly associated labels and error messages
Tested Screen Readers: Platform is regularly tested with:
JAWS (Windows)
NVDA (Windows)
VoiceOver (macOS/iOS)
TalkBack (Android)
Mobile and Touch Accessibility
Responsive Design: Platform adapts to all screen sizes and orientations
Data Tables: All data tables include proper headers, scope attributes, and caption elements for screen reader navigation
Charts and Visualizations: Interactive charts include text-based alternatives and data tables for users who cannot access visual content
Complex Information: Complex judicial analytics are supplemented with plain-language explanations
Search Functionality: Advanced search with clear labels, error messages, and suggestion support
Document Accessibility
PDFs and downloadable documents are created to be accessible when possible
Documents include proper structure, bookmarks, and alternative text
Text-based formats are provided as alternatives to image-based documents
Ongoing Accessibility Efforts
Accessibility is an ongoing commitment. We continuously work to improve JudgeFinder.io through:
Regular Accessibility Audits: Third-party accessibility evaluations and automated testing
User Testing: Testing with users who rely on assistive technologies
Staff Training: Ongoing accessibility training for development and design teams
Design Standards: Accessibility integrated into design system and component library
Code Reviews: Accessibility requirements included in code review processes
Automated Testing: Continuous integration testing for accessibility issues
Community Feedback: Active solicitation and response to user accessibility feedback
Known Limitations
Despite our best efforts, some limitations may exist. We are actively working to address the following known issues:
Third-Party Content: Some embedded third-party content (e.g., court documents from external sources) may not meet our accessibility standards. We provide alternative access methods when possible.
Legacy Data: Historical court documents may not be fully accessible due to source format limitations. We are working to improve legacy content accessibility.
Complex Visualizations: Some advanced data visualizations may have limited screen reader support. We provide data table alternatives for all visual content.
If you encounter accessibility barriers on our platform, please contact us so we can work to address them.
Technical Specifications
JudgeFinder.io accessibility relies on the following technologies:
HTML5 semantic markup
WAI-ARIA (Web Accessibility Initiative - Accessible Rich Internet Applications)
CSS3 for visual presentation and responsive design
JavaScript/TypeScript (React/Next.js) for interactive functionality
Supported Browsers
JudgeFinder.io is tested and optimized for accessibility with:
Google Chrome (latest version)
Mozilla Firefox (latest version)
Apple Safari (latest version)
Microsoft Edge (latest version)
Note: While we strive to support older browsers, the most reliable accessibility experience is available in the latest versions of modern browsers.
Accessibility Standards Compliance
JudgeFinder.io aims to comply with the following accessibility standards:
WCAG 2.1 Level AA: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines from W3C/WAI
Section 508: U.S. federal accessibility standards (where applicable)
ADA Title III: Americans with Disabilities Act digital accessibility requirements
EN 301 549: European accessibility standard (where applicable)
Contact Us About Accessibility
We welcome feedback on the accessibility of JudgeFinder.io. If you encounter accessibility barriers, need assistance, or have suggestions for improvement, please contact us:
Response Time: We aim to respond to accessibility inquiries within 2 business days
Alternative Formats: If you need judicial information in an alternative format (large print, audio, accessible PDF), please specify your requirements in your message
When Contacting Us, Please Include:
Description of the accessibility issue or barrier
The page URL where you encountered the issue
Your assistive technology (if applicable) - e.g., "JAWS 2023, Chrome"
Your operating system - e.g., "Windows 11", "macOS Ventura"
Steps to reproduce the issue (if possible)
We take all accessibility feedback seriously and will work with you to provide the information and features you need.
Formal Complaints
If you are not satisfied with our response to your accessibility concern, you may file a formal complaint:
Internal: Send written complaints to legal@judgefinder.io with "Accessibility Complaint" in the subject line
We genuinely value your input. If you have suggestions for improving accessibility, encounter barriers, or want to share your experience using JudgeFinder.io with assistive technology, please reach out to accessibility@judgefinder.io. Your feedback directly influences our development priorities.