British Culture Archive
British Culture Archive

British Culture Archive

Accessibility Statement

Accessing BCA’s photography, archives, publications and services.

Last updated: 9 November 2026

1. Our commitment

British Culture Archive brings together documentary photography and personal accounts of everyday life in Britain. We want people with different access needs to be able to explore that work, use The People’s Archive and access our publications and services.

This statement covers the BCA website, including photographer and archive galleries, features, image licensing, the shop and information about exhibitions and projects. The website is operated by The People’s Archive Limited, trading as British Culture Archive.

We aim to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people. If something prevents you from using the website or accessing information, please contact us so we can discuss a practical way to help.

2. Ask for access support

Email contact@britishculturearchive.co.uk if you need help or information in another format. You can ask about:

  • A fuller written description of a photograph or collection.
  • Readable text from an exhibition poster, image-based page or document.
  • Information in larger text, plain text or another format that works for you.
  • Help finding an image, using search or filters, making a licensing enquiry or completing a print or book order.

Tell us which page, image, publication or service you need and what would make it accessible. We will discuss a suitable format or adjustment and explain any time needed to prepare it. We do not charge for reasonable accessibility adjustments.

Please do not send payment-card details or unnecessary medical information by email.

3. Photography and archive material

Photography is central to BCA. Captions can provide the photographer’s name, place, date and context; image descriptions help convey important visual details. A short title or location is not always enough to describe what a photograph shows.

Some older gallery images currently have brief descriptions rather than fuller visual alternatives. Historic posters, book previews and other reproduced material may also contain text within images. Please ask if you need that information in readable form.

Our priority is to improve useful descriptions and accompanying text while preserving the work’s credits and documented context. Descriptions should avoid guessing people’s identities or sensitive characteristics. We can discuss longer descriptions where a short text alternative does not provide enough information.

4. Using the website

We are working towards clear headings and navigation, readable text, sufficient contrast, meaningful links and labels, visible keyboard focus and layouts that adapt to smaller screens and enlarged text.

Your browser’s zoom and your device’s magnification or reading tools may help. Keyboard users can normally move between links and controls with Tab and Shift+Tab, and activate a focused link with Enter.

Some gallery, search, payment and newsletter features rely on JavaScript or services supplied by other organisations. If a control is difficult to use, contact us with the task you are trying to complete; we can help you find the information or discuss another way to proceed.

5. Current limitations and priorities

Accessibility varies across a website containing older archive material and newer pages. Areas needing further work and checking include:

  • Fuller descriptions for photographs whose current text is limited to a short caption.
  • Readable alternatives for text reproduced within historic posters, scans and some publication material.
  • Keyboard navigation, focus behaviour, gallery controls and search filters across different templates.
  • Screen-reader support for third-party checkout, payment, newsletter and embedded-media features.
  • Accessible document formats, captions and transcripts where relevant material is provided.

This is not an exhaustive list of barriers. Third-party involvement does not remove BCA’s responsibility to consider access needs. Please report a problem even if it is not listed here.

6. Exhibitions and events

Access arrangements can vary between venues hosting BCA exhibitions, talks and other projects. Please contact us with the event or exhibition name and date, and the information or adjustment you need.

We can help you find available venue information or check with the organiser. Facilities such as step-free access, seating, accessible toilets, hearing support or alternative interpretation should be confirmed for the specific event.

7. Our accessibility target and this review

Our target is the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 Level AA, an international standard for accessible web content.

This statement was reviewed on 9 November 2026 alongside desktop and mobile checks of this statement page and a limited desktop review of archive imagery. This review does not establish full site-wide conformance. Further keyboard, assistive-technology and user testing is needed across galleries, documents and complete service journeys.

We will use reported barriers and future reviews to prioritise improvements, and update this statement as the website develops.

8. Feedback, response times and further help

To report a problem or request an adjustment, email contact@britishculturearchive.co.uk. Include the page link and what you were trying to do. Browser, device or assistive-technology details can help if you are comfortable sharing them. You do not need a technical diagnosis.

We aim to acknowledge accessibility enquiries within two working days. If resolving the issue or preparing another format takes longer, we will explain the next steps and expected timing.

If you are unhappy with our response, ask us to review the matter. For independent advice about disability discrimination and your rights in England, Scotland and Wales, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service.

For postal contact, see our company details. Our Privacy Policy explains how we handle information you share.