diff --git a/.Jules/palette.md b/.Jules/palette.md
index ec1d951..277497d 100644
--- a/.Jules/palette.md
+++ b/.Jules/palette.md
@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
 ## 2024-05-24 - Lightbox ARIA Attributes
 **Learning:** Adding `role="dialog"`, `aria-modal="true"`, and `aria-label` to custom modal/lightbox overlays ensures screen readers announce them properly instead of just falling back to reading inner content without context. Additionally, toggles that show/hide panels (like the EXIF info button) must use `aria-expanded` and link to the panel via `aria-controls` for proper screen reader communication.
 **Action:** When building or modifying custom overlays or toggle buttons in the future, always verify that ARIA attributes are set correctly to match the visual behavior.
+
+## 2024-05-25 - SVG Icon Accessibility
+**Learning:** Adding `aria-hidden="true"` to decorative `<svg>` icons within interactive elements (like `<button>` or `<a>`) that already have an `aria-label` is crucial. Otherwise, screen readers may read the raw vector nodes or fall back to confusing announcements in addition to the label. Similarly, when adding text to visual spinners, use `role="alert"` and `aria-live="polite"` on the container while hiding the SVG graphic.
+**Action:** When adding or modifying interactive elements with icon graphics, always ensure the graphic is explicitly hidden from screen readers using `aria-hidden="true"` if a text alternative (`aria-label`) is provided.
diff --git a/components/BackLink.tsx b/components/BackLink.tsx
index 84dcedc..9ade5b5 100644
--- a/components/BackLink.tsx
+++ b/components/BackLink.tsx
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ export function BackLink({ href, label }: BackLinkProps) {
   return (
     <Link href={href} className="album-header__back" aria-label={`Back to ${label}`}>
       <svg
+        aria-hidden="true"
         viewBox="0 0 24 24"
         fill="none"
         stroke="currentColor"
diff --git a/components/Footer.tsx b/components/Footer.tsx
index 2b2b373..0e5dc73 100644
--- a/components/Footer.tsx
+++ b/components/Footer.tsx
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ export function Footer() {
               aria-label="Instagram"
             >
               <svg
+                aria-hidden="true"
                 width="16"
                 height="16"
                 viewBox="0 0 24 24"
@@ -58,6 +59,7 @@ export function Footer() {
           {footer?.email && (
             <a href={`mailto:${footer.email}`} className="footer__link" aria-label="Email">
               <svg
+                aria-hidden="true"
                 width="16"
                 height="16"
                 viewBox="0 0 24 24"
@@ -81,6 +83,7 @@ export function Footer() {
               aria-label="Website"
             >
               <svg
+                aria-hidden="true"
                 width="16"
                 height="16"
                 viewBox="0 0 24 24"
diff --git a/components/Lightbox.tsx b/components/Lightbox.tsx
index 08446b9..115e283 100644
--- a/components/Lightbox.tsx
+++ b/components/Lightbox.tsx
@@ -111,6 +111,7 @@ export function Lightbox({ assets, currentIndex, onClose, onNext, onPrev }: Ligh
       {/* Close button */}
       <button className={styles.close} onClick={onClose} aria-label="Close" title="Close (Esc)">
         <svg
+          aria-hidden="true"
           viewBox="0 0 24 24"
           fill="none"
           stroke="currentColor"
@@ -131,6 +132,7 @@ export function Lightbox({ assets, currentIndex, onClose, onNext, onPrev }: Ligh
         title="Previous photo (Left arrow)"
       >
         <svg
+          aria-hidden="true"
           viewBox="0 0 24 24"
           fill="none"
           stroke="currentColor"
@@ -171,6 +173,7 @@ export function Lightbox({ assets, currentIndex, onClose, onNext, onPrev }: Ligh
         title="Next photo (Right arrow)"
       >
         <svg
+          aria-hidden="true"
           viewBox="0 0 24 24"
           fill="none"
           stroke="currentColor"
diff --git a/components/MapView.tsx b/components/MapView.tsx
index 570f940..d203db3 100644
--- a/components/MapView.tsx
+++ b/components/MapView.tsx
@@ -151,7 +151,10 @@ export function MapView() {
 
   if (error) {
     return (
-      <div className="map-container__loading" style={{ display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', justifyContent: 'center', height: '100%' }}>
+      <div
+        className="map-container__loading"
+        style={{ display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', justifyContent: 'center', height: '100%' }}
+      >
         <p>{error}</p>
       </div>
     );
@@ -162,27 +165,30 @@ export function MapView() {
       {loading && (
         <div
           className="map-container__loading"
-          style={{ 
-            position: 'absolute', 
-            inset: 0, 
+          role="alert"
+          aria-live="polite"
+          style={{
+            position: 'absolute',
+            inset: 0,
             zIndex: 1000,
             display: 'flex',
             flexDirection: 'column',
             alignItems: 'center',
             justifyContent: 'center',
             background: 'rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5)',
-            color: '#fff'
+            color: '#fff',
           }}
         >
-          <svg 
-            width="24" 
-            height="24" 
-            viewBox="0 0 24 24" 
-            fill="none" 
-            stroke="currentColor" 
-            strokeWidth="2" 
-            strokeLinecap="round" 
-            strokeLinejoin="round" 
+          <svg
+            aria-hidden="true"
+            width="24"
+            height="24"
+            viewBox="0 0 24 24"
+            fill="none"
+            stroke="currentColor"
+            strokeWidth="2"
+            strokeLinecap="round"
+            strokeLinejoin="round"
             style={{ animation: 'spin 1s linear infinite', marginBottom: '8px' }}
           >
             <circle cx="12" cy="12" r="10" strokeOpacity="0.25"></circle>
diff --git a/components/ThemeToggle.tsx b/components/ThemeToggle.tsx
index b8820fc..a00e0b0 100644
--- a/components/ThemeToggle.tsx
+++ b/components/ThemeToggle.tsx
@@ -63,6 +63,7 @@ export function ThemeToggle() {
       {theme === 'dark' ? (
         // Sun icon
         <svg
+          aria-hidden="true"
           width="16"
           height="16"
           viewBox="0 0 24 24"
@@ -85,6 +86,7 @@ export function ThemeToggle() {
       ) : (
         // Moon icon
         <svg
+          aria-hidden="true"
           width="16"
           height="16"
           viewBox="0 0 24 24"