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AMERICAN SAUDADE, INC.

Website Accessibility Policy & Statement
 

Website: www.americansaudade.org
Organization: American Saudade, Inc. (ASI)
Status: 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization
Effective Date: October 15, 2026
 

1. Our Commitment to Accessibility

American Saudade, Inc. (ASI) is committed to making its website, educational resources, programs, and digital communications accessible to the widest possible audience, including individuals with disabilities.

Our mission is to preserve, explore, and share Portuguese, Cape Verdean, and Atlantic maritime heritage through education, cultural engagement, historical preservation, and community participation.

We believe that everyone, regardless of physical ability, sensory limitations, technological experience, or individual circumstances, should have meaningful opportunities to explore our content and participate in our mission.
 

Accessibility is an ongoing responsibility and an essential part of our commitment to inclusion, education, and community service.
 

2. Accessibility Standards

ASI aims to improve its website's accessibility in accordance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2, Level AA, published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).

These guidelines provide recommendations for making digital content more accessible to people with visual, auditory, physical, cognitive, and neurological disabilities.

While our website and programs continue to develop, ASI will work toward incorporating recognized accessibility practices wherever reasonably achievable.
 

3. Website Accessibility Features

As our website develops, ASI intends to prioritize:

  • Clear, readable text and consistent page layouts.

  • Appropriate color contrast between text and backgrounds.

  • Descriptive alternative text for meaningful images.

  • Keyboard-accessible navigation and interactive elements.

  • Clearly identified links, headings, and navigation menus.

  • Accessible forms and contact methods.

  • Compatibility with commonly used assistive technologies.

  • Captions or transcripts for educational videos and audio materials, where feasible.

  • Accessible PDF documents and downloadable educational resources, where practical.

  • Responsive layouts for computers, tablets, and mobile devices.
     

We recognize that some features may require additional development, testing, or modification.
 

4. Historical Photographs, Documents, and Multimedia

ASI maintains and develops educational materials involving historical photographs, archival documents, maritime records, maps, videos, interviews, and other cultural resources.

Some historical materials may contain visual or textual characteristics that present accessibility challenges.

Whenever practical, ASI will seek to provide descriptions, explanatory text, captions, transcripts, or alternative methods of accessing essential information.
 

For our History Is Not Black & White series, digitally colorized photographs are intended to enhance public engagement with historical images while preserving their historical significance. Colorization should not be interpreted as documentary evidence of original colors.
 

ASI will endeavor to distinguish historical source material from modern digital interpretation.
 

5. Educational Programs and Community Participation

Accessibility extends beyond our website.

ASI seeks to develop inclusive opportunities through its educational initiatives, including:

  • 360 Deep™ educational programming.

  • Maritime heritage and historical research.

  • Virtual classrooms, lectures, and discussions.

  • Volunteer and internship programs.

  • Family Albums and photographic preservation.

  • Community outreach and cultural exchange.

  • The Great Circle Heritage Project.

  • S/V American Saudade educational and maritime activities.

Participation in certain maritime or vessel-based activities may be subject to legitimate safety, operational, environmental, and regulatory requirements.

ASI will consider reasonable accessibility accommodations consistent with the nature of the activity and applicable requirements.
 

6. Third-Party Content and External Websites

Our website may include links to external museums, educational institutions, historical archives, maritime organizations, social media platforms, video services, and other third-party resources.

ASI does not control the accessibility features or practices of these external websites.

We encourage visitors to review the accessibility policies of third-party providers when using their services.
 

7. Ongoing Improvement

American Saudade, Inc. is a developing nonprofit organization supported by its leadership, members, volunteers, collaborators, and community.

Our website is continually evolving as new educational materials, historical collections, programs, and resources are introduced.

We recognize that accessibility is an ongoing process rather than a one-time achievement.

ASI welcomes constructive feedback and will review reported accessibility barriers and seek practical improvements as resources permit.
 

8. Accessibility Assistance and Feedback

If you experience difficulty accessing any portion of our website, encounter an accessibility barrier, or require information in an alternative format, we encourage you to contact us.

Please include, when possible:

  • The webpage or material involved.

  • A brief description of the difficulty.

  • The type of assistance or alternative format requested.

  • Your preferred method of contact.

We will make reasonable efforts to respond and provide assistance or an accessible alternative when feasible.

Contact American Saudade, Inc.

Website: https://www.americansaudade.org

Contact: Please use the Contact Us page on our website.
 

9. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed periodically as ASI's website, educational programs, digital resources, and accessibility capabilities evolve.
 

ASI remains committed to improving access, welcoming participation, and ensuring that our shared maritime and cultural heritage can be explored by as many people as possible.
 

AMERICAN SAUDADE, INC. (ASI)
Preserving the Past. Educating the Present. Inspiring the Future.

ACTA NON VERBA — Deeds, Not Words

Last Updated: October 15, 2026

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