Accessibility at Pixel Canvas Studios

Our Commitment to Inclusive Design

At Pixel Canvas Studios, located in the heart of San Francisco's vibrant art district, we are deeply committed to ensuring that our website and our games are accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the joy and creativity that video games can offer. This commitment extends beyond legal compliance; it's a core value that drives our design and development processes.

We strive to adhere to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards, which are internationally recognized guidelines for making web content more accessible. We also integrate accessibility considerations into our game design process, focusing on providing options and features that cater to a wide range of needs.

Website Accessibility Features

Our website incorporates the following accessibility features:

  • Semantic HTML: We use semantic HTML5 elements to structure our content, making it easier for screen readers and other assistive technologies to understand the purpose and meaning of each element.
  • Alternative Text: All images and other non-text content have descriptive alternative text (alt text) that conveys the content and function of the image to users who cannot see it. For example, our studio logo is described as "The Pixel Canvas Studios logo: a stylized paintbrush forming a pixelated 'P' and 'C' on a dark background."
  • Keyboard Navigation: Our website can be fully navigated using a keyboard, allowing users who cannot use a mouse to access all content and functionality.
  • Color Contrast: We have carefully chosen color combinations to ensure sufficient contrast between text and background, making it easier for users with low vision to read the content.
  • Resizable Text: Users can easily resize the text on our website without losing content or functionality.
  • Clear and Consistent Navigation: Our navigation is designed to be clear, consistent, and easy to understand, allowing users to quickly find the information they need.
  • Forms: All forms are designed with clear labels and instructions, making them easy to fill out. We also provide error messages that are clear and helpful.
  • Captions and Transcripts: All video and audio content includes captions or transcripts, making it accessible to users who are deaf or hard of hearing.
A close-up of a keyboard, highlighting the importance of keyboard navigation for accessibility.

Game Accessibility Considerations

We believe that game accessibility is crucial for creating inclusive and enjoyable gaming experiences. We strive to incorporate the following accessibility considerations into our game design:

  • Customizable Controls: Players can customize their control schemes to suit their individual needs and preferences. This includes remapping buttons, adjusting sensitivity, and using alternative input devices.
  • Adjustable Difficulty: Our games offer a range of difficulty settings to accommodate players of all skill levels.
  • Subtitles and Captions: All dialogue and important audio cues are subtitled and captioned.
  • Colorblind Modes: We provide colorblind modes to ensure that all players can distinguish between important game elements.
  • Text-to-Speech and Speech-to-Text: We explore the use of text-to-speech and speech-to-text technologies to enhance accessibility for players with visual or motor impairments.
  • Visual Cues: We use visual cues in addition to auditory cues to provide information to players who are deaf or hard of hearing.
  • Clear User Interface: Our user interfaces are designed to be clear, intuitive, and easy to navigate. We avoid using small text or overly complex layouts.
  • Controller Remapping: Full controller remapping is available so players can tailor controls to their specific needs, ensuring comfortable and efficient gameplay.
A video game controller, emphasizing the importance of customizable controls for game accessibility.

WCAG Compliance Details

We are committed to meeting WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards. The following table outlines some of the key WCAG success criteria and how we address them on our website:

WCAG 2.1 Level AA Compliance
WCAG Success Criterion Description How We Comply
1.1.1 Non-text Content All non-text content has a text alternative that serves the equivalent purpose. We provide descriptive alt text for all images, icons, and other non-text elements.
1.3.1 Info and Relationships Information, structure, and relationships conveyed through presentation can be programmatically determined or are available in text. We use semantic HTML5 elements to structure our content, making it easier for assistive technologies to understand the relationships between different elements.
1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) The visual presentation of text and images of text has a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1. We use color contrast analysis tools to ensure that our color combinations meet the minimum contrast requirements.
2.1.1 Keyboard All functionality of the content is operable through a keyboard interface without requiring specific timings for individual keystrokes. Our website can be fully navigated using a keyboard, allowing users who cannot use a mouse to access all content and functionality.
2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context) The purpose of each link can be determined from the link text alone, or from the link text together with its context. We use descriptive link text that clearly indicates the destination of each link.
3.1.1 Language of Page The default human language of each Web page can be programmatically determined. We specify the language of our website using the lang attribute in the <html> tag.

Feedback and Contact Information

We are always striving to improve the accessibility of our website and games. If you encounter any accessibility barriers or have any suggestions for improvement, please contact us. We value your feedback and will do our best to address your concerns.

You can reach our Accessibility Team at accessibility@pixel-ca-nvasstudios.com or by calling us at +1 650-365-6738. Our office is located at 42 Art Lane, San Francisco, CA 94103. Please specify "Accessibility Feedback" in the subject line of your email or when speaking to a representative.

Our Accessibility Officer, Dr. Evelyn Reed, is dedicated to ensuring inclusivity. Contact her directly for complex inquiries.