Data Watchdog is committed to making its journalism, policies, navigation, forms, documents, and media usable by as many people as reasonably possible, including people with visual, hearing, mobility, speech, cognitive, neurological, and learning disabilities.
Accessibility is treated as an ongoing editorial, design, and product responsibility rather than a one time technical requirement or compliance label.
We aim to design and maintain the website in substantial alignment with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 Level AA.
Because websites, technologies, content, third party services, and older materials can change over time, we do not claim that every page or element will be fully conformant at all times. Where barriers are identified, we aim to assess them, prioritize appropriate improvements, and communicate limitations honestly rather than overstating compliance.
Measures We Take
Our accessibility measures may include semantic headings, meaningful page titles, keyboard operable navigation, visible focus indicators, appropriate color contrast, alternative text for informative images, captions or transcripts where practicable, descriptive link text, properly associated form labels, useful error guidance, responsive layouts, zoom support, reduced reliance on color alone, and avoidance of flashing or unnecessarily disruptive motion.
Editorial teams are expected to consider accessibility when preparing headings, alternative text, tables, captions, charts, link labels, image descriptions, multimedia, and downloadable documents.
New templates, significant design changes, and major content systems should be reviewed for accessibility before broad deployment where practicable.
Compatibility
Data Watchdog is intended to work with current versions of commonly used browsers, operating systems, screen readers, keyboard navigation tools, voice control, magnification tools, and mobile accessibility features.
Actual results may vary depending on the browser, operating system, assistive technology, extension, device, or third party service being used, particularly where that technology is no longer supported by its provider.
Users should generally be able to increase text size and zoom without losing essential content or functionality, subject to limitations that may arise from third party embeds, external services, or older documents.
Known and Potential Limitations
Some older articles, archived materials, uploaded documents, third party embeds, historical screenshots, complex charts, or externally supplied media may not yet satisfy every accessibility objective.
Automatically generated captions, transcripts, or alternative text may contain errors and should be reviewed when accuracy is material to understanding the content.
Third party widgets and external services may also contain accessibility limitations that Data Watchdog cannot directly modify or repair.
Where an identified barrier cannot be corrected immediately, we may provide an accessible alternative, summary, transcript, description, replacement document, or direct assistance where reasonably possible.
We do not consider an accessibility overlay to be a substitute for improving underlying website content, structure, design, or code.
Feedback and Alternative Formats
Accessibility feedback is welcomed at:
accessibility@datawatchdog.org
When reporting an accessibility issue, please identify the relevant page or document, describe the barrier encountered, and, where useful, provide information about the browser, device, or assistive technology being used.
Please also explain the format, adjustment, or alternative that would make the content more accessible.
Do not provide disability or medical information unless it is necessary to explain or resolve the accessibility request.
We aim to acknowledge a specific accessibility request within five business days and provide a substantive response or remediation plan within a reasonable period depending on the nature and complexity of the issue.
Requests involving time sensitive public interest information may receive priority.
Assessment and Review
Accessibility is assessed through a combination of automated checks, keyboard review, content inspection, responsive testing, and human evaluation.
Automated accessibility tools can identify useful technical issues but cannot establish complete accessibility on their own. Manual review therefore remains important for critical templates, major design changes, and high impact content.
This Accessibility Statement is reviewed at least annually and following substantial website redesigns or significant changes to the publication’s digital systems.
Last reviewed: 18 August 2026
Enforcement and Escalation
If an accessibility concern cannot be resolved through the accessibility contact process, it may be escalated to:
Data Watchdog will review escalated concerns in accordance with its applicable complaints and editorial accountability procedures.
This internal process does not restrict any right a person may have to contact a competent authority or pursue another remedy available under applicable law.