Accessibility Statement

Accessibility Statement

Heart & Hearth Pottery  ·  436 S Topanga Canyon Blvd, Topanga CA 90290

Effective Date: March 6, 2026  ·  Version 2.0

 

Heart & Hearth Pottery is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all members of our community. We approach accessibility as an ongoing practice — balancing genuine inclusion with the physical and safety realities of a working ceramics studio.
 

This statement describes our accessibility standards, physical environment, accommodation process, and your rights as a participant. It applies to our website, studio space, classes, workshops, events, and all other offerings.
 

Heart & Hearth Pottery operates in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the California Unruh Civil Rights Act (Civil Code §  51), which provides broader protections than federal law and applies to all California businesses regardless of size.

 

1. Website Accessibility

We are committed to making our website as accessible as reasonably possible. We aim to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA — the standard recognized by California courts as the benchmark for digital accessibility.

Our website is designed to:

• Support screen readers and assistive technologies where the platform allows

• Provide readable text contrast and clear navigation structure

• Support keyboard navigation where enabled by the Wix platform

• Include descriptive image alt text for studio and class photos

Our website is hosted and built on the Wix platform. Certain accessibility features depend on Wix’s own compliance with accessibility standards, which is outside our direct control. We are committed to raising platform-level accessibility limitations with Wix as they are identified.

If you encounter difficulty accessing any part of our website — including booking, class information, or forms — please contact us by email or phone and we will provide the information or assistance you need through an alternative format.

 

2. Physical Studio Environment

Heart & Hearth Pottery operates within a working ceramics studio. We want to be honest about both what we have made accessible and the physical realities of the environment.

What is accessible:

• Street-level entrance with no steps at the front of the studio

• Parking available on-site and on Topanga Canyon Blvd

• Seated workstations available at pottery wheels and handbuilding tables

• Handbuilding activities (pinch, coil, slab) available as an alternative to wheel throwing for participants who are unable to use a pottery wheel

• Adjustable seating available on request

• Accessible restroom within the studio

Known environmental conditions:

• Active kilns produce significant heat during firing cycles

• Silica dust is present — participants with respiratory conditions should notify us in advance

• Studio floor includes work areas with uneven surfaces and equipment pathways

• Pottery wheels and hand tools require varying degrees of grip, dexterity, and upper body coordination

• Some activities involve fine motor precision that may not be modifiable

We encourage anyone with accessibility concerns or questions about specific activities to contact us before registering. We are happy to discuss the physical requirements of any class, workshop, or event in detail.

 

3. Reasonable Accommodations & The Interactive Process

Heart & Hearth Pottery is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to participants with disabilities. When a request is received, we engage in a good-faith interactive process with the participant to identify options that allow for safe and meaningful participation.

The interactive process includes:

• Receiving your written accommodation request

• Reviewing the request in the context of the specific class, event, or studio activity

• Consulting with you about your needs and any safety considerations

• Identifying possible modifications, alternatives, or accommodations

• Responding to you in writing within 5 business days of receiving your request

Accommodations we regularly consider include:

• Seating adjustments and alternative workstation positioning

• Substituting handbuilding for wheel work where appropriate

• Class pacing adjustments in consultation with the instructor

• Scheduling flexibility for one-on-one or private formats

• Communication accommodations including written instructions and extended time

• Early arrival to orient to the studio layout before class begins

Accommodation requests are evaluated individually, considering the nature of the activity, studio layout, safety requirements, staffing, and equipment. Not every accommodation can be provided for every activity. Where a requested accommodation cannot be fulfilled, we will explain why in writing and, where possible, suggest alternatives.

We do not require documentation of disability as a condition of considering an accommodation request. We ask only that you describe what you need so we can work with you effectively.

 

4. Safety & Participation

Safety is essential in a working ceramics studio. We take seriously our responsibility to all participants, instructors, and community members in the space.

Where a proposed activity presents a genuine safety risk that cannot be resolved through the interactive process, we will work with the participant to identify an alternative format, activity, or timing that allows for safe participation. Our goal is to find a path forward, not to exclude.

In the rare circumstance where no safe participation option can be identified for a specific activity, we will communicate this clearly and in writing, and offer a full refund or credit for any fees paid.

The decision to modify or limit participation in a specific activity for safety reasons is made only after genuine good-faith engagement with the participant — never as a default or first response to an accommodation request.

 

5. Service Animals

Service animals, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, are permitted in Heart & Hearth Pottery. Under the ADA, a service animal is a dog (or in some cases a miniature horse) that has been individually trained to perform a specific task directly related to a person’s disability.

Consistent with ADA guidelines, we may only ask two questions when it is not apparent that an animal is a service animal:

• Is this a service animal required because of a disability?

• What task or work has the animal been trained to perform?

We may not ask for documentation, certification, or proof of training, and we may not require the animal to demonstrate its task.

Because the studio environment includes active kilns, heat, moving equipment, and clay materials on the floor, we ask that participants bringing a service animal notify us in advance so we can prepare the safest possible environment for both the participant and the animal.

Emotional support animals, comfort animals, and therapy dogs are not classified as service animals under the ADA and are not guaranteed the same access. Please contact us to discuss your specific situation.

 

6. How to Submit an Accommodation Request

Accessibility-related requests should be submitted in writing as early as possible before your class, workshop, or event. Advance notice allows us to prepare appropriately and respond before your session begins.

Please include in your request:

• Your name and contact information

• The class, workshop, or event you are interested in (including date if known)

• A description of the accommodation or adjustment you are requesting

• Any timing considerations or constraints we should be aware of

Submit requests to:

heartandhearthpottery@gmail.com

Or by phone/text: available on our website

We will respond in writing within 5 business days. Requests submitted fewer than 48 hours before a session will be accommodated where possible; we cannot guarantee full accommodation with very short notice.

 

7. Grievances & Concerns

If you believe your accommodation request was denied in error, handled inappropriately, or that you experienced discrimination in connection with your participation at Heart & Hearth Pottery, we ask that you first contact us directly so we have the opportunity to address your concern.

Submit grievances in writing to heartandhearthpottery@gmail.com with the subject line “Accessibility Concern.” We will acknowledge receipt within 3 business days and provide a substantive response within 10 business days.

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the California Civil Rights Department at civil.ca.gov or the U.S. Department of Justice ADA Information Line at 1-800-514-0301.

 

8. Ongoing Commitment

Accessibility is not a one-time checklist. We review this statement and our studio practices annually and whenever we make significant changes to our space, website, or offerings. We welcome feedback from participants about barriers they have encountered and ideas for improvement.

We are a small independent studio operating with limited resources, and we approach accessibility with both genuine commitment and honest realism. We will always engage in good faith, explain our limitations clearly, and work to find paths forward.

 

9. Governing Law

This Accessibility Statement is governed by the laws of the State of California, including the Unruh Civil Rights Act (Civil Code § 51 et seq.) and applicable federal law including the Americans with Disabilities Act. Venue for any disputes shall be in Los Angeles County, California.

 

Contact

Heart & Hearth Pottery

heartandhearthpottery@gmail.com

436 S Topanga Canyon Blvd, Topanga, CA 90290

Accessibility inquiries are always welcome. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve more of our community.

 

Heart & Hearth Pottery  ·  Topanga, California  ·  Version 2.0  ·  March 2026