Accessibility Statement

Effective Date: April 22, 2026
Last Updated: April 22, 2026

The Catoctin Furnace Friends Group is committed to ensuring that our website is accessible to all visitors, including individuals with disabilities. We strive to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA standards, as recommended by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).

Our Commitment

We are actively working to increase the accessibility and usability of our website. Our efforts include:

• Providing descriptive alternative text for images
• Ensuring proper heading structure for screen readers
• Maintaining sufficient color contrast for text readability
• Ensuring keyboard navigation support throughout the site
• Using semantic HTML to support assistive technologies
• Providing clear and consistent navigation

Accessibility of Our Physical Locations

The Catoctin Furnace Friends Group is also committed to improving physical accessibility at our historic sites. We are currently working to secure grant funding to construct an ADA-compliant access ramp at the Fraley Store Museum, along with designated handicap parking spaces. We recognize that our historic structures present unique accessibility challenges and are working to address them while preserving the historical integrity of the sites.

Known Limitations

While we strive to make our website as accessible as possible, some content may not yet be fully accessible. This may include:

• Some older documents or images that may lack full alternative text descriptions
• Third-party content or embedded services (such as maps or social media feeds) that are outside our direct control
• Some PDF documents that may not be fully screen-reader compatible

We are continually working to remediate any accessibility issues as they are identified.

Feedback & Assistance

We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of our website. If you encounter any accessibility barriers, or if you need information in an alternative format, please contact us:

Catoctin Furnace Friends Group
12610 Catoctin Furnace Road, Thurmont, MD 21788
Email: catoctinfurnacefriends@gmail.com

We will make reasonable efforts to provide the information you need in an accessible format and to address any accessibility concerns.

Third-Party Applications

Our website may use third-party applications or link to external websites. While we encourage these providers to ensure accessibility, we cannot guarantee or control the accessibility of third-party content.

Continuous Improvement

We view accessibility as an ongoing effort. We regularly review our website and make updates to improve accessibility. This statement will be updated as we continue to make improvements.