Essential Japanese text, English meanings, dialogue, and next actions remain in HTML. They do not depend on an image or audio track alone.
This statement describes the current site implementation and known limits. It is not a claim of formal accessibility certification or complete support for every browser, device, or assistive technology.
Navigation and page structure
- Page templates set the document language to English, while learning components mark Japanese examples with Japanese language metadata.
- A skip link moves to the main content, and keyboard focus has a visible outline.
- Lessons use semantic headings, lists, tables, ruby markup, links, buttons, radio controls, checkboxes, and disclosure controls where those structures apply.
- The compact-screen menu supports keyboard opening, Escape to close, focus containment while open, and focus return after closing.
- When JavaScript is unavailable, compact screens show a direct navigation list instead of an inactive menu button.
- Wide phrase tables can scroll inside a labelled region rather than forcing the whole page wider.
Reading support and JavaScript
The default lesson view leaves all available reading support and explanations visible. Optional native radio controls can hide rōmaji, then furigana, or switch from the full lesson to a shorter phrase sheet. A change is made only after the reader selects it.
These display controls require JavaScript. Their selected values are stored in this browser with localStorage. If storage is blocked, a selection can still affect the current page but may not persist after navigation or reload. If JavaScript is unavailable, the controls are hidden and the full lesson remains visible.
Manga order and descriptions
Manga panels remain in narrative order in an HTML ordered list. Desktop layouts place each row from right to left; compact layouts show the same panels from top to bottom. Panel actions, Japanese dialogue, and English meanings remain selectable HTML beside the artwork.
Current lesson and published Story panels include individual image descriptions. During a lesson rewrite, we recheck whether each image and description still matches the surrounding scene; the presence of an image file is not treated as proof that this editorial check is complete.
Browser speech, not recorded audio
Play and Slow buttons use the browser's Web Speech API and a Japanese voice available on the reader's device. Speech never starts automatically. Voice availability, pronunciation, timing, and quality therefore vary by browser and device, and Kotoba Street does not currently provide reviewed human recordings.
The Japanese phrase and its English meaning remain visible when speech is unavailable. With JavaScript enabled, unsupported browsers disable the buttons. A polite live region reports messages such as unsupported playback, stopping, default-voice use, or failure; it does not announce every normal start and finish. With JavaScript unavailable, speech controls are hidden.
Motion and responsive layout
The site reduces smooth scrolling, transitions, and animations when the browser reports a reduced-motion preference. Responsive checks cover representative pages and supported widths, including page-level overflow checks. Wide tables may still use intentional scrolling inside their labelled region.
Known limitations
- No third-party accessibility audit or formal conformance certification is represented here.
- Browser-generated speech is not a substitute for reviewed human audio and may be unavailable or unclear.
- Reading-view persistence depends on browser storage, and the optional display and speech controls depend on JavaScript.
- Artwork and panel descriptions must be rechecked when the surrounding lesson scene changes.
- Testing does not cover every combination of browser, device, screen reader, voice-control tool, zoom level, and input method.
Report an accessibility problem
To report a barrier, use the contact page. If possible, include the Kotoba Street page URL, your browser or device, and the action that was difficult. The link opens a separate origin from Kotoba Street; review that page before sending information.
For control instructions, see How to use Kotoba Street. The privacy policy explains browser storage and the boundary between this static site and the external contact route.