Accessibility Statement

We're committed to making StudyRails accessible to everyone. Learn about our accessibility features and standards.

Updated: January 14, 2026
~17 min read

At a Glance

Accessibility is core to how we design StudyRails. We aim to meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards and continuously improve the experience.

  • Conformance target: WCAG 2.1 Level AA.
  • Support: Keyboard navigation, readable contrast, and assistive tech compatibility.
  • Feedback: Tell us if something is not working as expected.

Our Commitment

StudyRails is committed to digital accessibility for people with disabilities. We design and build with inclusive practices so students can access information regardless of ability.

Accessibility is an ongoing effort. We routinely review the site and address barriers as we find them.

Conformance Status

We follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which define requirements for accessible digital experiences and include three levels of conformance: A, AA, and AAA.

StudyRails is partially conformant with WCAG 2.1 Level AA.This means some content does not yet meet the standard.

We are actively improving toward full WCAG 2.1 Level AA conformance.

Accessibility Standards

We aim to adhere to the following accessibility standards and guidelines:

  • WCAG 2.1 Level AA: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1, conformance level AA
  • Section 508: U.S. federal accessibility requirements for electronic and information technology
  • ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act requirements for accessible digital content
  • EN 301 549: European accessibility requirements for ICT products and services

These standards ensure that our website is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for all users.

Accessibility Features

StudyRails includes the following accessibility features:

Navigation

  • Consistent navigation structure across all pages
  • Skip navigation links to bypass repetitive content
  • Keyboard navigation support for all interactive elements
  • Visible focus indicators for keyboard users
  • Breadcrumb navigation for orientation

Visual Design

  • Sufficient color contrast ratios (minimum 4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text)
  • Dark mode option for users who prefer reduced brightness
  • Resizable text up to 200% without loss of content or functionality
  • No content that flashes more than three times per second
  • Information is not conveyed by color alone

Content

  • Descriptive alt text for all meaningful images
  • Properly structured headings (H1-H6) for easy navigation
  • Descriptive link text that makes sense out of context
  • Form labels and error messages that are clear and descriptive
  • Tables with proper headers and captions

Forms and Interactive Elements

  • All form fields have associated labels
  • Error messages are clear and provide guidance for correction
  • Required fields are clearly indicated
  • Interactive elements have sufficient touch/click targets
  • Timeouts provide adequate time or can be extended

Technologies Used

The accessibility of StudyRails relies on the following technologies to work with the particular combination of web browser and any assistive technologies or plugins installed on your computer:

  • HTML5
  • WAI-ARIA (Web Accessibility Initiative - Accessible Rich Internet Applications)
  • CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)
  • JavaScript
  • SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics)

These technologies are relied upon for conformance with the accessibility standards listed above.

Known Limitations

Despite our best efforts to ensure accessibility of StudyRails, there may be some limitations. Below is a description of known limitations and potential solutions:

Interactive Charts and Graphs

Some statistical visualizations on institution profile pages may not be fully accessible to screen reader users. We provide text alternatives summarizing the data wherever possible. We are working on improving these components with additional ARIA labels and descriptions.

Third-Party Content

Some content embedded from third-party sources (such as maps or videos) may not meet our accessibility standards. We are working with our partners to improve accessibility and provide alternatives where possible.

PDF Documents

Some older PDF documents linked from our site may not be fully accessible. We are in the process of remediating these documents. If you need an accessible version of any document, please contact us.

User-Generated Content

Professor reviews and ratings submitted by users may not always meet accessibility guidelines. We encourage users to write clear, descriptive reviews.

If you encounter any accessibility barriers not listed here, please let us know so we can address them.

Assistive Technologies

StudyRails is designed to be compatible with the following assistive technologies:

  • Screen Readers: JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver (macOS/iOS), TalkBack (Android), Narrator (Windows)
  • Screen Magnifiers: ZoomText, Windows Magnifier, macOS Zoom
  • Voice Recognition: Dragon NaturallySpeaking, Windows Speech Recognition, Voice Control (macOS)
  • Alternative Input Devices: Switch controls, eye tracking devices, sip-and-puff devices

We recommend using the latest versions of browsers and assistive technologies for the best experience.

Browser Compatibility

Our site is tested with the following browsers:

  • Google Chrome (latest two versions)
  • Mozilla Firefox (latest two versions)
  • Apple Safari (latest two versions)
  • Microsoft Edge (latest two versions)

Feedback

We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of StudyRails. Please let us know if you encounter accessibility barriers:

When Reporting an Issue

To help us address accessibility issues effectively, please include:

  • A description of the accessibility problem you encountered
  • The URL of the page where the issue occurred
  • The browser and version you were using
  • Any assistive technology you were using (e.g., screen reader name and version)
  • Your contact information (so we can follow up if needed)

We try to respond to accessibility feedback within 5 business days and aim to resolve issues within 30 days.

Enforcement Procedure

If you are not satisfied with our response to your accessibility concern, you may escalate the issue through the following channels:

  • Request to speak with our Accessibility Coordinator by emailing [email protected]
  • File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division
  • File a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Education

We are committed to resolving accessibility issues and appreciate your patience as we work to improve our platform.

Contact Us

For accessibility-related inquiries or to request accessible alternatives to any content, please contact us:

We are committed to providing accessible services and appreciate your feedback in helping us achieve this goal.

Have Questions?

If you have any questions about this policy, we're here to help.

Contact Us

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