April 2025 Updates

• Success Criterion 2.4.1: Bypass Blocks implementation:
  • Added keyboard-accessible skip link that appears on focus
  • Implemented clear navigation to main gallery content
• Success Criterion 1.3.1: Info and Relationships:
  • Improved semantic structure with proper ARIA roles and landmarks
  • Added descriptive labels to all interactive elements
  • Enhanced heading structure for better screen reader navigation
• Success Criterion 2.1.1: Keyboard accessibility:
  • Added complete keyboard navigation for gallery images and modal
  • Implemented keyboard shortcuts for navigating carousel (arrow keys)
  • Added focus trap mechanism for modal dialogs
• Success Criterion 2.4.7: Focus Visible:
  • Enhanced focus indicators with high-contrast yellow outlines
  • Improved visual feedback for interactive elements
  • Consistent focus styling across all gallery components
• Success Criterion 2.4.3: Focus Order:
  • Implemented logical tab order through gallery components
  • Maintained proper focus management in modal interactions
  • Restored focus position when closing the gallery modal
• Success Criterion 4.1.2: Name, Role, Value:
  • Added comprehensive accessibility descriptions for all piercing images
  • Enhanced ARIA attributes for better assistive technology support
  • Provided meaningful labels for all buttons and interactive elements
• Success Criterion 1.1.1: Non-text Content:
  • Implemented detailed alt text for piercing images with descriptive content
  • Hid decorative elements from screen readers with aria-hidden
  • Created context-rich descriptions including piercing type and jewelry materials
• Success Criterion 4.1.3: Status Messages:
  • Added screen reader announcements for dynamic content changes
  • Implemented aria-live regions for gallery filtering and pagination
  • Created descriptive status messages for loading states

• Success Criterion 2.2.1: Timing Adjustable:
  • Implemented pagination to break large image sets into manageable chunks
  • Added "Load More" option to control content loading pace
  • Improved loading indicators with appropriate ARIA attributes
• Success Criterion 2.2.2: Pause, Stop, Hide:
  • Added loading state indicators with appropriate visuals
  • Ensured animations are subtle and not distracting
  • Implemented controls for carousel movement and animation
• Success Criterion 1.4.5: Images of Text:
  • Used proper text elements for all image titles and descriptions
  • Maintained text-based alternatives to image content

• Success Criterion 2.1.3: Keyboard (No Exception):
  • Ensured all gallery functions are accessible via keyboard
  • Added visible keyboard instructions for modal navigation
  • Implemented Enter/Space key activation for interactive elements
• Success Criterion 3.3.5: Help:
  • Added visible instructions for keyboard navigation in gallery modal
  • Provided clear indications for available keyboard shortcuts
  • Implemented simple, accessible controls with visual cues

Fixed accessibility issue where keyboard navigation through piercing type cards was not properly highlighting focused elements, making it impossible for keyboard users to identify their current focus position.

WCAG 2.1 Success Criterion addressed:

• Success Criterion 2.4.7: Focus Visible (Level AA):
  • Fixed focus indicators on piercing type cards for keyboard navigation
  • Implemented highly visible yellow outlines with glow effects
  • Added animation effects to make focus state unmistakable
  • Applied consistent focus styling across all piercing category sections
• Success Criterion 2.4.3: Focus Order (Level A):
  • Implemented proper tab sequence through piercing type categories
  • Enhanced focus management with JavaScript event handlers
  • Added dynamic class toggling for reliable focus visibility
• Success Criterion 2.1.1: Keyboard (Level A):
  • Ensured all piercing type links are fully keyboard accessible
  • Added proper tabindex attributes to interactive elements
  • Implemented multiple focus capture techniques for cross-browser compatibility