Endemism.org is intended to make biological reference material about endemic species, taxonomy, native ranges, and biodiversity data usable by as many visitors as possible. Accessibility is considered in page structure, navigation, text presentation, tables, charts, links, and other interface elements.
Our approach to accessibility
Pages are designed around clear reading order, descriptive headings, semantic HTML, readable text, and layouts that adapt to different screen sizes. Content should remain understandable when viewed on desktop computers, tablets, and mobile devices.
Where possible, information is presented in standard HTML rather than relying only on visual effects or interactive elements. Core factual content should remain available even when optional scripts or enhanced display features do not load.
Biological data should remain readable without depending on color, animation, or a particular screen size. Tables, citations, species names, and source information are structured with this principle in mind.
Page structure and headings
Content pages use a logical heading structure to separate major sections and narrower topics. Headings are written to describe the content that follows rather than serving only as visual decoration.
Lists, tables, notes, citations, and expandable source sections use structured HTML where practical so browsers and assistive technologies can interpret their purpose more reliably.
Keyboard navigation
Site navigation, links, expandable source sections, search fields, and other interactive controls are intended to remain usable with a keyboard.
Visible focus indicators may be used to show which interactive element currently has keyboard focus. Site features should not require precise pointer movement where a standard keyboard interaction can provide the same function.
Text and readability
Text is presented with readable spacing, line height, and contrast against its background. Scientific names are commonly italicized because that formatting carries biological meaning, while ordinary factual text remains in standard type.
Long reference pages are divided into sections so visitors can move through the information without relying on one continuous block of text.
Browser zoom and operating-system text scaling can be used to enlarge content. Responsive layouts are intended to adjust without requiring a fixed display size.
Links and citations
Links are intended to remain identifiable independently of surrounding text where practical. Source references use compact citation markers that connect factual claims to their corresponding source entries.
External scientific sources open separately from internal citation jumps so readers can distinguish between movement within the page and navigation to another website.
Data tables
Endemism.org uses tables for national statistics, species checklists, taxonomic records, and other structured biological data. Tables use header cells and standard table markup so relationships between rows and columns can be interpreted more reliably.
On narrow screens, some larger tables may require horizontal movement to preserve scientific names and data columns rather than compressing them until they become difficult to read.
Information that is essential to understanding a table should not depend only on background color or decorative styling.
Charts and visualizations
Charts may be used when a set of compatible values benefits from visual comparison. Charts supplement the underlying factual content rather than replacing it.
Where the same values are important to the page’s meaning, they are normally available in surrounding text, tables, or structured data so the information is not accessible only through a graphical display.
Images
Images that contribute factual or contextual information should use alternative text appropriate to their purpose. Decorative imagery may use empty alternative text where announcing the image would add no useful information.
Alternative text is intended to describe the useful subject or function of an image rather than reproduce unrelated visual detail.
Motion and visual effects
Interactive or animated presentation should not be required to access the site’s biological information. Where motion effects are used, the underlying content remains available independently of the animation.
Browser or operating-system preferences that request reduced motion may be respected by supported site features.
Color and contrast
Site colors are selected to maintain readable separation between text, controls, tables, and backgrounds. Color is used as a visual aid rather than the sole method for communicating a factual distinction.
Some third-party content or browser-rendered elements may not be controlled entirely by Endemism.org.
Third-party websites and services
Endemism.org links to scientific databases, government agencies, universities, museums, conservation authorities, publishers, and other external websites. Accessibility on those sites is controlled by their respective operators.
Advertising or other third-party services displayed on Endemism.org may also use interfaces that are not created or controlled directly by the site.
Accessibility limitations
Some biological material presents practical accessibility challenges. Very long scientific names, wide taxonomic tables, complex species checklists, and charts with many categories may require additional navigation or horizontal scrolling on small screens.
Older pages or third-party media may also differ from the site’s current accessibility approach. Such issues may be corrected when they are identified and can be improved without reducing the accuracy or usability of the scientific content.
Report an accessibility problem
Accessibility problems involving navigation, text readability, keyboard use, tables, charts, citations, images, or other parts of Endemism.org can be reported by email.
When possible, include the affected page URL, a short description of the problem, the device or browser being used, and the assistive technology involved if relevant.
Accessibility enquiries can be sent to support@endemism.org.
Ongoing improvements
Accessibility is reviewed alongside changes to site design, tables, charts, navigation, and other publishing features. Identified issues may be corrected as site components are updated or replaced.
The aim is to keep biological information available in a form that remains readable, navigable, and understandable across different devices and access methods.