Accessibility Statement for Off The Beaten Path

Off The Beaten Path is committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of ability or technology. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone and applying relevant accessibility standards to ensure inclusivity.

We are pleased to share that the Off The Beaten Path website has undergone a full accessibility review and optimisation. Following significant updates across the site, we have achieved a 100% accessibility score on all core pages, excluding the specific items outlined below.

Our goal is to ensure that all visitors — including those using assistive technologies — can navigate, understand, and interact with our content effectively and comfortably.

Conformance Status

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) define requirements for designers and developers to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. These guidelines define three levels of conformance: Level A, Level AA, and Level AAA.

This website has been developed in line with WCAG 2.2 Level AA, which has guided our approach to design, content, and functionality. We remain committed to maintaining and enhancing accessibility as part of our ongoing dedication to digital inclusion.

Pages with Known Accessibility Limitations

Some pages include third-party tools or plugin-restricted components that cannot be modified at this time. These limitations are detailed below:

Reviews Pages

These pages use an external Google Reviews widget. As this is a third-party component, we have limited control over its structure and behaviour. The widget introduces accessibility issues that cannot be altered, and as a result, these pages do not achieve full accessibility scores.

Homepage – Video Audio Description

The homepage video currently does not include an audio description track. Producing audio descriptions requires additional scripting, recording, and editing to convey visual information for users with visual impairments. Due to the significant production costs involved, the video is currently retained without audio descriptions. This will be reviewed as part of future accessibility improvements.

Homepage Instagram Feed Widget

The Instagram feed displayed on the homepage is provided via a third-party widget with limited configuration options. As a result, certain accessibility elements cannot be modified or enhanced at this time.

Gallery Videos

Video captions have been added to gallery videos; however, due to technical limitations, captions may not be consistently detectable within browser developer tools. We continue to monitor this issue and will implement improvements where technically feasible.

Accessibility Improvements Completed

Extensive improvements have been made across the website, including:

Structure & Semantics

  • Proper use of semantic HTML (headings, lists, tables)

  • Correct use of language attributes

  • Valid, well-formed HTML

  • Logical focus order for keyboard navigation

  • Skip links to bypass repeated content

  • Clear, descriptive page titles and headings

  • Links that make sense out of context

  • Consistent navigation across all pages

Images, Media & Content

  • Appropriate alternative text for all images

  • Decorative images correctly marked

  • No images of text unless essential

  • Video content includes synchronised captions

  • No flashing content exceeding safe thresholds

  • Content remains usable without stylesheets

  • Text resizable up to 200% without loss of functionality

  • No autoplaying background audio without user control

Forms & Interactions

  • Clear labels and instructions for all form fields

  • Helpful error identification and correction guidance

  • Ability to review and edit form inputs before submission

  • Full keyboard accessibility for all forms

ARIA & Assistive Technology Support

  • ARIA attributes used appropriately and sparingly

  • Correct roles for interactive components

  • Compatibility with screen readers and assistive technologies

  • Predictable and consistent UI behaviour

  • No keyboard traps

Usability

  • Minimum recommended touch target sizes met

  • All functionality available via keyboard

  • Adjustable or removable time limits where applicable

  • Animations and carousels can be paused or stopped

  • Multiple navigation options available

  • No complex gestures required for essential tasks

Additional Enhancements

  • Colour contrast updated site-wide to meet WCAG requirements

  • Accessibility Welcome page added for improved guidance

Feedback and Contact Information

We welcome feedback on the accessibility of the Off The Beaten Path website. If you encounter any accessibility barriers or require information in an alternative format, please contact us:

Email: owen@offthebeatenpath.ie

Phone: +086 192 8114

Postal Address: Main Street, Dunfanaghy, Co. Donegal, F92 F4EN, Ireland

We aim to respond to accessibility-related enquiries within 5 working days.

Ongoing Commitment

Accessibility is an ongoing effort. We are committed to regularly reviewing our website, following best practices, and improving areas where technology or third-party constraints currently limit full compliance.