Accessibility

Most of the people who use this site are older, or are helping someone who is. Many use larger text, a screen reader, voice control, or only a keyboard. Building for that is not a courtesy here, it is the job.

Section 1What we are aiming for

We use the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, level AA as our reference. It is the standard most widely used to judge whether a website works for people with disabilities.

We are not claiming full conformance. This site has not been through an independent audit, and saying otherwise would be a claim nobody has checked. What we can say is what we aim for, what we have done, and what we know still needs work.

Section 2What we have done

• Every page can be used with a keyboard alone, and there is a skip link to jump straight to the main content.
• Images that carry meaning have text descriptions. Decorative ones are hidden from screen readers so they do not add noise.
• Headings run in order, without skipped levels, so a screen reader can be used to navigate a page by structure.
• Text and buttons are checked for contrast against their background, including the fine print under forms.
• Text resizes when you enlarge it in your browser, and the layout reflows instead of breaking.
• Notices in other languages carry the correct language attribute, so a screen reader pronounces them properly rather than reading Korean or Arabic with English rules.
• Forms ask for as little as possible, and every field has a visible label rather than only a placeholder.

Section 3What we know is not finished

Some older articles were written before we tightened these rules, and their headings and image descriptions have not all been revisited. We work through them as we go rather than claiming otherwise.

Some content comes from outside services, such as review widgets and maps. We do not control how those are built. Where they get in the way, tell us and we will give you the same information another way.

Section 4Tell us about a problem

If any part of this site is hard to use, we want to hear about it, including if you are not a client. Tell us the page address and what happened, and if it is easy to say, what you were using at the time: a phone, a screen reader, voice control.

We reply within five business days. If the fix takes longer than that, we will say so and tell you when to expect it. In the meantime we will give you whatever you were trying to reach over the phone.

Section 5Other ways to reach us

Nothing on this site has to be done on this site. Every form here can be done by phone instead, in 13 languages, with a free interpreter if you need one. If reading a page is difficult, call and a coordinator will go through it with you.

If you need information from us in large print, in audio, or in another accessible format, ask and we will arrange it at no cost. Our Notice of Availability of Language Assistance covers this too, and our Notice of Nondiscrimination explains how to file a grievance if you believe we did not provide what you needed.