Accessibility Statement for StageReady Academy
StageReady Academy is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for all users, including people with disabilities. We are continuously working to improve the accessibility of our website and online content to provide an inclusive and seamless experience.
Our Commitment to Accessibility
We strive to adhere to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA, a set of international standards developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). These guidelines outline how to make web content more accessible to individuals with a wide range of disabilities, including visual, auditory, cognitive, motor, and speech impairments.
Measures to Support Accessibility
StageReady Academy takes the following measures to ensure accessibility:
- Regular Accessibility Audits: We conduct regular audits of our website using automated tools and manual testing to identify and address accessibility issues.
- Accessible Design Principles: We incorporate accessible design principles throughout our website development process, including providing alternative text for images, ensuring sufficient color contrast, and using semantic HTML.
- Keyboard Navigation: Our website is fully navigable using a keyboard, allowing users who cannot use a mouse to access all content and functionality.
- Screen Reader Compatibility: We ensure that our website is compatible with screen reader software, allowing users with visual impairments to access and understand our content.
- Clear and Consistent Navigation: We provide clear and consistent navigation throughout our website, making it easy for users to find the information they need.
- Captioning and Transcripts: We provide captions for videos and transcripts for audio content to make our multimedia accessible to users with hearing impairments.
- Adjustable Text Size: Users can adjust the text size on our website using their browser settings to improve readability.
- Forms Accessibility: All forms on our website are designed to be accessible, with clear labels and instructions for each field.
- Ongoing Training: Our staff receives ongoing training on accessibility best practices to ensure that we are continuously improving our efforts.
Specific Accessibility Features Implemented
To further enhance accessibility, we have implemented the following specific features:
- Alternative Text for Images: All images on our website include descriptive alternative text (alt text) that conveys the meaning and context of the image to users who cannot see it. For example, the image of Alistair Davies, acting instructor, is described as "Headshot of Alistair Davies, acting instructor, smiling warmly."
- Semantic HTML Structure: We use semantic HTML elements (e.g.,
<header>,<nav>,<main>,<article>,<aside>,<footer>) to provide a clear and logical structure to our content, making it easier for screen readers and other assistive technologies to interpret. - Sufficient Color Contrast: We ensure that there is sufficient contrast between text and background colors to make our content readable for users with low vision or color blindness. Our color palette, utilizing CSS variables for easy modification, strives for optimal contrast ratios as per WCAG guidelines.
- Keyboard Navigation: All interactive elements on our website, such as links and buttons, are fully accessible using a keyboard. Users can navigate through the site using the Tab key and activate elements using the Enter key.
- Form Accessibility: All form elements include clear labels and instructions, and are designed to be easily navigable using a keyboard. We also provide error messages that are both visually and programmatically accessible.
- Skip Navigation Link: A "Skip to Main Content" link is provided at the top of each page, allowing keyboard users to bypass the navigation menu and jump directly to the main content area.
Known Limitations
Despite our best efforts, some accessibility issues may still exist on our website. We are continuously working to identify and address these issues as quickly as possible. Known limitations may include:
- Older PDF documents may not be fully accessible. We are working to replace these with accessible versions.
- Some third-party content or plugins may not be fully accessible. We are working with our vendors to ensure that all content meets accessibility standards.
Feedback and Contact Information
We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of our website. If you encounter any accessibility barriers or have suggestions for improvement, please contact us:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: (312) 555-7890
- Address: Accessibility Department, StageReady Academy, 123 Arts Avenue, Chicago, IL 60601
We will do our best to respond to your feedback in a timely manner and take appropriate action to address any accessibility issues.
Formal Complaints Procedure
If you are not satisfied with our response to your accessibility feedback, you may file a formal complaint. To file a formal complaint, please submit a written statement outlining the specific accessibility issue and the steps you have taken to resolve it. Send your complaint to the address listed above, marked "Accessibility Complaint."
We are committed to investigating all formal complaints and taking appropriate action to address any valid concerns. We aim to respond to formal complaints within 30 business days.
Third-Party Websites
Our website may contain links to third-party websites that are not under our control. StageReady Academy is not responsible for the accessibility of these websites. We encourage users to review the accessibility statements of any third-party websites they visit.
Enforcement Procedure
StageReady Academy has a multi-faceted approach to ensuring accessibility compliance. This includes regular internal audits, third-party accessibility reviews, and ongoing training for our development and content teams. We actively monitor our website and make necessary updates to maintain and improve accessibility. We also rely on feedback from our users to identify and address any potential accessibility issues. Our process is designed to be proactive and responsive, ensuring that we continually meet and exceed accessibility standards.
This statement was last updated on October 26, 2023, by Eleanor Vance, Head of Accessibility, StageReady Academy.