Our Commitment to Digital Accessibility
AvenSci Publishing aims to make its website, publishing services and digital scholarly publications accessible and usable by the widest practical range of people, including readers with disabilities and those who rely on assistive technologies.
Accessibility is an important consideration in the design, development, production and ongoing improvement of our digital services.
We recognise that accessibility requirements vary according to individual needs, technologies, publication formats and the complexity of scientific content. Our approach is to identify barriers, implement practical improvements and support access wherever reasonably possible.
Accessibility Standards and Continuous Improvement
AvenSci considers recognised digital accessibility principles, including those reflected in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), when designing and improving its services.
These principles address areas such as perceivable information, operable interfaces, understandable interactions and compatibility with relevant technologies.
We aim to incorporate accessibility considerations throughout website development and digital publication production rather than treating them solely as final-stage checks.
Unless expressly stated following an appropriate assessment, references to accessibility standards should not be interpreted as a declaration of full conformity or certification.
Accessible Website Design
Our website is designed with attention to semantic HTML, meaningful page structure, readable typography and responsive layouts.
We aim to provide clear headings, descriptive navigation, appropriately labelled controls and consistent visual presentation across public pages and account-related interfaces.
Colour contrast, spacing, text readability and interaction states are considered during interface development.
Accessibility may vary between individual pages, third-party integrations and features introduced at different stages of the website's development.
Keyboard Navigation and Interactive Features
AvenSci aims to support navigation and use of essential website functionality through standard keyboard interactions wherever technically feasible.
Interactive elements such as navigation menus, links, form controls and buttons should be designed to provide understandable behaviour and appropriate focus indicators.
We seek to avoid unnecessary barriers in account registration, login, content discovery and other essential processes.
Some advanced interfaces, external services or embedded components may require further accessibility improvements as development continues.
Compatibility with Assistive Technologies
Our website is intended to work with commonly used browsers and relevant assistive technologies, including screen readers, keyboard navigation tools and browser-based accessibility features.
We aim to use appropriate semantic structures and descriptive labels to support interpretation by assistive software.
Actual compatibility can depend on the combination of operating system, browser, assistive technology and individual configuration.
We encourage users to report problems that prevent them from accessing information or completing essential tasks.
Accessibility of Scholarly Publications
AvenSci's publishing workflow is designed to support structured digital publications with clear headings, logical reading order and appropriate document navigation.
Depending on the publication and its technical characteristics, available formats may include PDF, EPUB 3 and browser-readable HTML.
Accessibility measures may include structured content, descriptive links, navigable tables of contents, appropriate text alternatives and other features supported by the production format.
Availability of a particular format or accessibility feature is determined by the individual publication and its production requirements.
Accessibility should not be assumed to be identical across all publications or file formats.
EPUB, PDF and HTML Publications
EPUB 3 and HTML can support flexible text presentation, structured navigation and compatibility with many reading technologies when implemented appropriately.
PDF files may offer additional accessibility features when they contain suitable document structure, reading order and alternative descriptions.
These capabilities depend on the quality of the source content, the production workflow and the final implementation.
AvenSci aims to improve the accessibility of its digital outputs while recognising that some publications may require additional adaptation.
Complex Scientific Content and Technical Limitations
Scientific publications frequently include mathematical equations, chemical structures, detailed illustrations, specialised tables, graphical data and complex notation.
Such material can present particular challenges for screen readers, alternative text, reflowable presentation and other accessibility features.
Where feasible, we aim to provide meaningful descriptions, appropriate structural information or alternative approaches that improve comprehension.
Some legacy documents, externally supplied files or highly specialised content may not yet offer equivalent accessibility across all technologies.
We encourage readers to contact us when a particular scientific element is difficult to access.
Images, Figures, Tables and Alternative Text
Images and scientific figures should be presented with appropriate contextual information and, where relevant and feasible, meaningful alternative descriptions.
Tables should be organised to support clear relationships between headings and data whenever the publication format permits.
Alternative text should communicate the purpose or essential information of an image rather than merely repeat a file name or provide an inadequate generic description.
Complex figures may require longer descriptions or supplementary explanations, depending on their scientific significance.
Authors and editorial contributors are encouraged to supply accurate descriptive material during manuscript preparation.
Third-Party Content and External Services
Certain website functions or publication materials may involve third-party technologies, embedded services, external links or content supplied by contributors.
Although AvenSci seeks to select and configure these elements responsibly, their accessibility may depend on systems outside our direct control.
External websites and services are subject to their own accessibility practices and technical limitations.
Where significant barriers are identified, we will consider appropriate improvements or alternatives within the limits of our technical and contractual responsibilities.
Reporting Accessibility Problems
If you experience difficulty accessing an AvenSci webpage, publication, account feature or downloadable file, please contact us through our official Contact page.
To help us investigate, please identify the affected page or publication, the URL or file format concerned and a description of the difficulty encountered.
Information about the browser, device or assistive technology used may also be helpful, although users should not disclose unnecessary personal or sensitive information.
We will review reported barriers and consider reasonable corrective measures, alternative information formats or other practical solutions where available.
Response and resolution times may vary according to the nature and complexity of the request.
Ongoing Development and Accessibility Feedback
AvenSci recognises accessibility as an ongoing responsibility that extends beyond initial website publication.
Future improvements may include interface refinements, additional accessibility testing, enhanced publication workflows and more systematic evaluation of digital outputs.
Feedback from readers, authors, editors and users of assistive technologies can help identify priorities for improvement.
We aim to address accessibility barriers in a proportionate and constructive manner while continuing to develop reliable, usable and inclusive scholarly publishing services.
Last updated 14 October 2026