Accessibility

Stories for every reader: Young Machines aims to meet WCAG 2.2 Level AA and to make the book usable across different ways of seeing, hearing, moving, reading, and understanding.

Last reviewed 2026-08-02.

What is provided

Semantic headings, landmarks, skip links, and keyboard navigation
Visible focus states and text alternatives for every meaningful illustration
Responsive layouts with no required horizontal scrolling at common mobile widths
Still illustrations by default, an animation preference and playback controls, scalable text, and strong reading contrast
A searchable, illustrated, tagged PDF and a reflowable EPUB alongside the web edition

Known characteristics

The web edition is intentionally long because it contains the whole book. Its table of contents and sticky reading navigation provide direct routes into each section. Some cover and title images include decorative lettering drawn into the picture. Story copy, headings, and morals remain available as selectable live text.

The landscape PDF preserves the designed spreads and may be less convenient on a small screen. The EPUB is the recommended format for readers who need reflow, custom type size, or assistive reading software.

Offline support is deliberately bounded. The site keeps navigation, text, and stories already opened on the device. It never automatically stores the full PDF, EPUB, motion clips, or the complete illustration library. Those larger files load only when the reader requests them while connected.

Automated local checks cover route structure, keyboard order, focus presence, text spacing, reduced motion, responsive reflow, alternative-text concordance, EPUB structure, and tagged PDF structure. Forced colours, focus appearance over every rendered surface, and real browser zoom still require human confirmation. The PDF does not claim PDF/UA conformance, and the EPUB does not claim formal EPUB Accessibility conformance. Human checks with Apple Books, Thorium, VoiceOver, NVDA, and screen magnification remain part of reader testing.

Feedback

This is an active commitment rather than a certification claim. If something prevents you from reading the book, please use Nell Watson’s official contact page and describe the page, format, device, and any assistive technology you use.