Accessibility Statement

Valpo.blog is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for all users, including those with disabilities. We continually work to improve the user experience and apply relevant accessibility standards.

Our Commitment

♿ Accessibility First

We believe that everyone should have equal access to community information and local events, regardless of their abilities or assistive technologies used.

Valpo.blog strives to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards issued by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). These guidelines help make web content more accessible to users with a wide range of disabilities, including:

  • Visual impairments (blindness, low vision, color blindness)
  • Hearing impairments (deafness, hard of hearing)
  • Motor impairments (limited fine motor control, paralysis)
  • Cognitive impairments (learning disabilities, memory issues)

Accessibility Features

We have implemented the following accessibility features across Valpo.blog:

🎯 Navigation & Structure

  • • Logical heading hierarchy (H1-H6)
  • • Skip navigation links
  • • Consistent navigation patterns
  • • Clear page structure and landmarks

⌨️ Keyboard Navigation

  • • Full keyboard accessibility
  • • Visible focus indicators
  • • Logical tab order
  • • Escape key functionality

🎨 Visual Design

  • • High contrast color combinations
  • • Scalable text (up to 200%)
  • • Consistent visual layout
  • • Alternative text for images

📱 Responsive Design

  • • Mobile-first responsive design
  • • Touch-friendly interface
  • • Readable text on all devices
  • • Accessible across screen sizes

Screen Reader Compatibility

Valpo.blog has been tested with common screen readers including:

  • NVDA (Windows) - Free screen reader
  • JAWS (Windows) - Popular commercial screen reader
  • VoiceOver (macOS/iOS) - Built-in Apple screen reader
  • TalkBack (Android) - Built-in Android screen reader

We provide semantic HTML, proper ARIA labels, and descriptive text to ensure screen readers can effectively convey page content and functionality to users.

Keyboard Navigation Guide

Essential Keyboard Shortcuts

Tab - Navigate forward

Shift + Tab - Navigate backward

Enter - Activate links/buttons

Space - Activate buttons

Esc - Close modals/menus

Arrow keys - Navigate menus

Known Issues & Limitations

We are continuously working to improve accessibility. Currently known issues include:

  • Some third-party embedded content (maps, social media) may have limited accessibility
  • Complex data tables may require additional navigation techniques
  • Some dynamically loaded content may need manual refresh for screen readers

We are actively working to address these limitations in future updates.

Third-Party Content

Valpo.blog includes some third-party services and content that may not be fully accessible:

  • Maps: Interactive maps may have limited screen reader support
  • Social Media: Embedded social content follows platform accessibility standards
  • External Links: Linked websites may vary in accessibility compliance
  • User Content: Community-submitted content may not always follow accessibility best practices

We provide alternative ways to access information when possible and continue to work with third-party providers to improve accessibility.

Browser and Assistive Technology Support

Valpo.blog is designed to work with:

  • Modern browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge (latest 2 versions)
  • Screen readers: NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver, TalkBack
  • Voice control: Dragon NaturallySpeaking, Voice Control (macOS)
  • Switch devices: Compatible with switch navigation software
  • Magnification software: ZoomText, built-in browser zoom

Feedback and Support

We Want to Hear From You

Your feedback helps us improve accessibility for everyone. If you encounter accessibility barriers or have suggestions for improvement, please contact us:

Contact Methods:

When Reporting Issues:

  • • Describe the accessibility barrier
  • • Include the page URL
  • • Mention your assistive technology
  • • Include browser and OS information

Ongoing Efforts

We are committed to continuous improvement and regularly:

  • Conduct accessibility audits and testing
  • Train our team on accessibility best practices
  • Update our design system with accessibility guidelines
  • Incorporate user feedback into development priorities
  • Stay current with WCAG updates and industry standards

Last Updated: July 20, 2025

This accessibility statement reflects our current efforts and will be updated as we continue to improve the accessibility of Valpo.blog. We are committed to making our platform accessible to all members of the Valparaiso community.