Accessibility Statement for ElevateU

ElevateU is committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of technology or ability. We are actively working to increase the accessibility and usability of our website and in doing so adhere to many available standards and guidelines.

Our Commitment to Accessibility

We strive to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA, published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). These guidelines explain how to make web content more accessible for people with disabilities. Conformance with these guidelines will help make the web more user-friendly for all people.

Accessibility Features

We have implemented the following features to enhance accessibility:

  • Keyboard Navigation: Our website is fully navigable using a keyboard. Users can easily tab through interactive elements, such as links, buttons, and form fields, without relying on a mouse. Focus states are clearly visible to indicate the currently selected element.
  • Screen Reader Compatibility: We have optimized our website to work seamlessly with screen reader software. Semantic HTML5 markup is used to structure content, providing screen readers with the information they need to accurately interpret and convey the website's content to users. ARIA attributes are used where necessary to enhance the accessibility of dynamic content and complex widgets.
  • Alternative Text for Images: All images on our website include descriptive alternative text (alt text) that conveys the content and function of the image to users who are unable to see it. This ensures that users with visual impairments can still understand the purpose and meaning of images.
  • Color Contrast: We have carefully selected color palettes that provide sufficient contrast between text and background colors. This helps users with low vision or color blindness to easily read and understand the content on our website. A contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 is maintained for standard text, and 3:1 for large text, as required by WCAG guidelines.
  • Resizable Text: Users can easily adjust the text size on our website using their browser settings. The website is designed to reflow content gracefully when text size is increased, ensuring that all content remains readable and accessible.
  • Clear and Consistent Navigation: We have implemented a clear and consistent navigation structure throughout our website. This helps users to easily find the information they are looking for and to understand the overall organization of the website. A skip navigation link is provided at the top of each page to allow users to bypass repetitive navigation elements.
  • Form Accessibility: All form fields are properly labeled and include clear instructions. Error messages are displayed in a clear and concise manner, and are associated with the relevant form fields using ARIA attributes. This helps users to easily complete forms and avoid errors.
  • Video Accessibility: All videos on our website include captions and transcripts, providing users with alternative ways to access the video content. Audio descriptions are provided where necessary to describe visual information that is not conveyed through the audio track.
  • Semantic HTML: We use semantic HTML elements (e.g., <article>, <nav>, <aside>) to structure our content. This helps screen readers and other assistive technologies understand the purpose and meaning of different sections of the page.
  • ARIA Attributes: We strategically use ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes to provide additional information to assistive technologies, especially for dynamic content and custom widgets. This ensures that even complex interactive elements are accessible to all users.

Ongoing Efforts

We are committed to continuously improving the accessibility of our website. We regularly review and update our website to ensure that it meets the latest accessibility standards and guidelines. We also welcome feedback from our users on how we can improve the accessibility of our website.

Known Limitations

Despite our best efforts, some limitations may exist. We are aware of the following potential accessibility issues:

  • Some older PDF documents may not be fully accessible. We are working to replace these documents with accessible versions.
  • Third-party integrations may not be fully accessible. We are working with our vendors to ensure that their products meet our accessibility standards.

Feedback

We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of our website. If you encounter any accessibility barriers, please contact us at our contact page. Please provide specific details about the accessibility issue you encountered, including the URL of the page and the type of assistive technology you were using.

Third-Party Content

Our website may contain content provided by third parties. While we make every effort to ensure that this content is accessible, we cannot guarantee its accessibility. We encourage third-party content providers to adhere to accessibility standards.

Browser Compatibility

ElevateU is designed to be compatible with a wide range of browsers and assistive technologies. We recommend using the latest versions of your browser and assistive technology for the best experience. Supported browsers include:

  • Google Chrome
  • Mozilla Firefox
  • Safari
  • Microsoft Edge

Assistive Technologies

ElevateU is tested with the following assistive technologies:

  • NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access)
  • JAWS (Job Access With Speech)
  • VoiceOver

Enforcement Approach

ElevateU uses the following measures to ensure accessibility of its website:

  • Include accessibility as part of our mission statement.
  • Include accessibility throughout our internal policies.
  • Integrate accessibility into our development practices.
  • Provide continual accessibility training for our staff.

Formal Complaints

If you have a formal complaint about the accessibility of this website, please contact us via the contact form, choosing "Accessibility Complaint" as the subject. We will aim to acknowledge receipt of your complaint within 5 business days and will fully investigate and respond with a proposed solution within 20 business days.

Accessibility Audits

ElevateU undergoes regular accessibility audits by third-party accessibility specialists. These audits help to identify and address potential accessibility issues and ensure that we are meeting our accessibility goals.

Accessibility Standard

The website currently aims to conform to level AA of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1.