Digital Turcology and Cultural Heritage (DTCH) regards making digital scholarly resources accessible in an inclusive, open and user-friendly manner as one of its core publishing and design principles. The platform takes into account that users may access content with different accessibility needs.
DTCH aims to present site content in a form that is perceivable, operable, understandable and technically robust. This aim is aligned with the principles of perceivability, operability, understandability and robustness defined in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2.
Our Approach to Accessibility
Accessibility is treated as an ethical, public and editorial responsibility that supports the wider circulation of scholarly knowledge. Readability, consistency and ease of access are considered across the platform's content, design and technical structure.
DTCH adopts the following principles:
— To present content in a clear, understandable and well-structured form.
— To use headings, links and page layouts consistently.
— To prefer plain, scholarly and readable language in written content.
— To support information-bearing visual materials with descriptive titles, alternative text or contextual explanations.
— To support keyboard navigation and compatibility with assistive technologies.
— To design page structures that remain usable across different screen sizes and devices.
— To support colour, form and visual elements with textual or structural explanations.
— To organise content hierarchy in a way that allows users to move through pages with ease.
Content and Readability
Academic quality is maintained in content published through DTCH, while texts are presented in a structure that is easy to follow. In longer texts, headings, paragraph structure, link organisation and section divisions are arranged to support the user experience.
Academic terms, specialist concepts and technical expressions are explained in context. In Turkish and English content, attention is given to linguistic consistency, clarity of meaning and terminological coherence.
Visual and Digital Materials
Images, maps, tables, documents, data outputs and other digital materials on DTCH are prepared in a way that supports accessible use. Information-bearing visual content is accompanied by descriptive titles, alternative text, table descriptions or contextual notes.
Historical documents, archival materials, manuscript images, maps, cultural heritage objects and data visualisations may involve technical or content-related limitations. In such cases, source information, context and guiding notes are used to support understanding of the material.
When PDF files, visual documents and data outputs are published, readability, file naming and descriptive titling are taken into account. Where necessary, alternative formats of the same content may be prepared as part of the publication and content development process.
Technical Compatibility
DTCH aims to provide a site structure that remains usable across different devices, browsers and screen sizes. Page titles, links, menus, text areas, image descriptions and content hierarchy are arranged so that they can be understood by assistive technologies.
Design, content and technical structure are reviewed regularly during site development and update processes. Readability, ease of navigation, link clarity, mobile compatibility and support for assistive technologies are among the main considerations in these processes.
DTCH has limited technical control over third-party tools, embedded content, external links or materials brought in from external platforms. In such cases, the accessibility practices of the external source to which users are directed apply.
Limitations
DTCH treats accessibility as an ongoing publishing and design process. Older content, third-party sources, archival documents, visual materials, PDF files or data outputs on the platform may require different levels of improvement.
When such cases are identified, content is reviewed; explanations are added, technical adjustments are made or alternative forms of presentation are prepared. The priority is to enable users to access scholarly content in a clear, understandable and usable form.
Feedback
DTCH takes user feedback on accessibility into account. Users who experience access problems, have difficulty reaching particular content or wish to make suggestions for improvement may contact DTCH through the platform's communication channels.
The review process can be carried out more effectively when feedback includes the relevant page link, a description of the problem encountered and information about the access environment used. DTCH evaluates submitted feedback in light of technical possibilities, content priorities and accessibility principles.
Updates
This Accessibility text may be updated in response to developments in DTCH's technical infrastructure, content structure, design choices and accessibility practices. The updated text takes effect from the date on which it is published on this page.
Last updated: 31 May 2026
Contact: dtch@digitalturcologych.com