Accessibility Statement
Substital Browser Extension
Prepared by Gaëtan Covelli, developer of Substital · March 23, 2026 · Version 1.0
1. Our Commitment to Accessibility
Substital is committed to ensuring that its browser extension is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. Subtitles are themselves a primary accessibility tool, enabling users who are deaf, hard of hearing, or who benefit from reading text alongside audio to engage fully with video content.
We are working toward conformance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 at Level AA. This statement describes our current level of conformance, known limitations, and our remediation roadmap.
This statement applies to the Substital browser extension.
2. Accessibility as a Core Feature
Substital's primary function — adding subtitles and closed captions to online videos — directly supports accessibility for a broad range of users:
- Deaf and hard-of-hearing users: Subtitles enable full comprehension of audio content that would otherwise be inaccessible.
- Language learners: Reading subtitles in a native or target language supports comprehension and language acquisition.
- Users with auditory processing difficulties: On-screen text supplements audio for users who struggle to process spoken language.
- Users in sound-sensitive environments: Subtitles allow video content to be followed without audio.
In this regard, Substital functions as an assistive technology, extending the accessibility of video platforms that may not provide adequate subtitle options by default.
3. Current Accessibility Features
| Feature | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Subtitles and captions on video content | ✅ Supported | Core function of the extension. Subtitles can be added to videos on Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, and many other platforms. |
| Subtitle text size adjustment | ✅ Supported | Users can increase or decrease subtitle text size to their preference via the extension settings panel. |
| Subtitle text color customization | ✅ Supported | Users can select subtitle text color to create contrast that suits their visual needs. |
| Subtitle background color | ✅ Supported | Background color behind subtitle text can be adjusted, allowing users to set high-contrast combinations. |
| Subtitle search across 50+ languages | ✅ Supported | Users can search for subtitles in over 50 languages. Availability depends on community contributions via OpenSubtitles.org and varies by video and language. |
| Screen reader compatibility | ⚠️ Partial | The subtitle text displayed on video is readable visually. Full ARIA labeling of all interface elements is in progress. |
| Focus indicators | ⚠️ Partial | Visible focus indicators exist for some interactive elements. Comprehensive focus indicator coverage is planned. |
| High contrast mode compatibility | 🔲 Not tested | Compatibility with OS-level high contrast modes has not been formally tested. This is included in the roadmap. |
| Keyboard navigation | 🔜 Not yet supported | Substital currently relies on mouse/touch interaction. Only basic browser-level keyboard navigation is present. Full keyboard accessibility is planned. See roadmap. |
| Subtitle font selection | 🔜 Not yet supported | Planned feature. Will include fonts that improve readability for users with dyslexia (e.g. OpenDyslexic). Included in development roadmap. |
| Subtitle positioning | 🔜 Not yet supported | Planned feature. Will allow users to reposition subtitles on screen, benefiting users with visual field limitations. Included in development roadmap. |
4. Known Limitations and Support
We are aware of the following accessibility gaps and are actively working to resolve them:
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Keyboard navigation: Substital currently requires mouse or touch interaction to operate. While basic browser-level keyboard behavior is present, it is not currently possible to navigate or configure the extension exclusively with a keyboard. Achieving full keyboard accessibility is a high-priority item in our development roadmap. If you are blocked by this limitation, please contact us so we can prioritize your needs and assist you directly.
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Screen reader support: Currently, not all interface elements in the extension popup are fully labeled with ARIA attributes, meaning independent configuration of settings via a screen reader is limited. However, the subtitle text itself is rendered as standard visible HTML text on the video player. Users needing assistance with initial settings configuration are encouraged to reach out to us directly.
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High contrast mode: Formal compatibility testing with OS-level high contrast modes (such as Windows High Contrast or macOS Increase Contrast) has not yet been conducted. As an interim workaround, users can manually adjust the subtitle text and background colors within the extension's settings to create a custom high-contrast combination.
Need Assistance?
If you encounter accessibility barriers while using Substital, please contact us at gaetan@substital.com. We aim to respond to all inquiries within 5 business days.
5. Accessibility Roadmap
The following improvements are planned. This roadmap will be reviewed and updated at least annually.
| Planned Improvement | Target Timeline | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Full keyboard navigation of the browser extension user interfaces (WCAG 2.2) | Within 18 months | High |
| Complete ARIA labeling of all interactive elements in the browser extension user interfaces (WCAG 2.2) | Within 18 months | High |
| Visible focus indicator coverage for all interactive elements (WCAG 2.2) | Within 18 months | High |
| Subtitle font selection, including dyslexia-friendly fonts (e.g. OpenDyslexic) | Within 18 months | High |
| Subtitle positioning — allow users to reposition subtitles on screen | Within 18 months | High |
| Formal testing of screen reader compatibility (NVDA, VoiceOver) | Within 24 months | Medium |
| Formal testing of OS-level high contrast mode compatibility | Within 24 months | Medium |
6. Evaluation Approach
Substital's current accessibility evaluation has been conducted through:
- Self-assessment by the developer against WCAG 2.2 Level AA success criteria.
- Manual testing and visual review of focus indicators and interface elements.
- Review of subtitle rendering across supported video platforms.
7. Standards and Compliance Reference
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2, Level AA — target standard.
8. Contact and Feedback
We welcome feedback on the accessibility of Substital. If you experience any accessibility barriers, or if you need content in an accessible format, please contact us:
- Email: gaetan@substital.com
- Website: substital.com
We aim to respond to accessibility feedback within 5 business days. This statement was prepared on March 23, 2026, and will be reviewed and updated annually, or sooner if material changes to the product occur.
Prepared by: Gaëtan Covelli, developer of Substital — March 23, 2026