Last updated: April 25, 2026

Our Commitment

At the Copley Society of Art, we believe that experiencing art should be accessible to everyone. We are committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people of all abilities. We are continually improving the user experience for all visitors and applying the relevant accessibility standards.

Gallery Accessibility

The Copley Society of Art is located in a historic brownstone at 158 Newbury Street in Boston. The main entrance provides step-free access to a small entry area; however, stairs are required to reach both the Upper and Lower Galleries. Handrails are provided along the stairways, and the building does not currently have an elevator or lift.

We recognize that the historic nature of our building presents accessibility challenges for some visitors. As we continue to care for and improve our longtime home, we remain committed to exploring opportunities to create a more accessible and welcoming experience for everyone.
Programs & Visitor Accommodations – We aim to create an inclusive and comfortable experience for all participants in our educational and community programming.

– Benches and seating areas are available throughout the gallery for visitors who wish to rest while enjoying exhibitions.

– An all-gender restroom is available on the Upper Gallery level, which requires stair access.

– Accessible, sans serif, large font is used for all exhibition materials and more information is available in written format upon request.

– Seating is provided for all artist talks, panels, and workshops.

– Workshop presentations and materials are available in advance upon request.

– Service animals are welcome in accordance with applicable law.

– Openings and receptions may be crowded or noisy; visitors seeking a quieter experience are encouraged to visit during regular gallery hours.

– Visitors are encouraged to contact our team to discuss accessibility needs and available accommodations.

Accessibility Requests & Visitor Support – For accessibility questions, accommodation requests, or assistance planning your visit, please contact Nina Mollo & Lucy Rahner at info@copleysociety.org. Our team regularly monitors this email Tuesday through Saturday, between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM.

Digital Accessibility Standards

We strive to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 at Level AA. These guidelines help make web content more accessible to people with a wide range of disabilities, including visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, language, learning, and neurological disabilities.

Accessibility Features on This Site

We have built the Copley Society of Art website with the following features to support assistive technologies:

• Keyboard navigation: You can navigate the entire site using only the Tab key (forward) and Shift+Tab (backward). All gallery menus, artwork thumbnails, and exhibition links are accessible.

• Screen reader compatibility: Our code uses proper heading structures (H1, H2, H3), ARIA labels, and descriptive link text for screen readers like NVDA, JAWS, and VoiceOver.

• Text resizing: You can increase text size up to 200% using your browser zoom (Ctrl + / Ctrl -) without breaking the layout or causing text to overlap.

• Color contrast: All text meets minimum contrast ratios of 4.5:1 against background colors. We do not rely on color alone to convey information (e.g., exhibition dates and pricing are also clearly labeled in text).

• Focus indicators: When you tab to a button or link, you will see a clear outline so you know where you are on the page.

• Forms: All membership sign-up, event registration, and contact forms have clear labels and error suggestions. If you miss a field, the error message tells you exactly what to fix.

Known Limitations

Despite our best efforts, some content may not be fully accessible. Please know that we are actively working to resolve these issues:

• Alt Text for Artwork Images: Some artwork images may not have alt text image descriptors. Please contact us if you are curios about a certain piece and want further information.

• Downloadable Documents: Some downloadable documents are not fully readable by screen readers. Contact us and we will provide the information in an accessible HTML or plain text format.