Accessibility Statement
Veridian Stage Academy is committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of technology or ability. We are continuously working to improve the accessibility of our website to ensure we provide equal access to all of our users. This accessibility statement outlines the measures we are taking to ensure our website conforms to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA.
Our Commitment
We believe that everyone should be able to access and use our website with ease. To that end, we are committed to:
- Ensuring our website is compatible with assistive technologies, including screen readers, screen magnifiers, and voice recognition software.
- Providing alternative text for all images and non-text content.
- Using clear and simple language that is easy to understand.
- Creating a website structure that is easy to navigate using a keyboard or other assistive devices.
- Ensuring that our website is responsive and adapts to different screen sizes and devices.
- Offering sufficient color contrast between text and background.
- Regularly reviewing and updating our website to maintain accessibility.
Accessibility Features
The following features have been implemented to enhance the accessibility of our website:
- Keyboard Navigation: Our website can be navigated using the keyboard alone, without the need for a mouse. Use the tab key to move between interactive elements, and the enter key to activate them.
- Screen Reader Compatibility: Our website is designed to be compatible with screen readers, allowing users with visual impairments to access content.
- Alternative Text: All images on our website have descriptive alternative text, providing context for users who cannot see the images.
- Sufficient Color Contrast: We have ensured that there is sufficient color contrast between text and background to make our website easier to read for users with low vision.
- Resizable Text: Users can easily increase or decrease the text size of our website using their browser settings.
- Clear and Consistent Navigation: Our website has a clear and consistent navigation structure, making it easy for users to find the information they are looking for.
- Forms Accessibility: All forms on our website are designed to be accessible, with clear labels and instructions.
Conformance to Accessibility Standards
Through diligent testing and remediation, Veridian Stage Academy strives to conform to the following accessibility standards:
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA: WCAG is an internationally recognized standard for web accessibility. Level AA compliance ensures that our website is accessible to a wide range of users with disabilities.
- Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA): ARIA attributes are used to provide additional information to assistive technologies, making our website more accessible to users with disabilities.
Specific Accessibility Considerations
We have paid particular attention to the following accessibility considerations:
- Images: All images have descriptive alt text, providing context and meaning for users who cannot see the images. For example, an image of actors on stage will have alt text like: "Diverse group of actors performing a scene from 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' on stage, lit with warm theatrical lighting."
- Forms: Forms are structured with clear labels and instructions, and are designed to be navigable using a keyboard.
- Tables: Tables are used only for tabular data and have appropriate headers and summaries.
- Videos: Videos include captions and transcripts for users who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Accessibility Table
| Feature | Description | WCAG Guideline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keyboard Navigation | Users can navigate the site using only a keyboard. | 2.1.1 Keyboard | Fully Supported |
| Screen Reader Compatibility | The site is compatible with popular screen readers like JAWS and NVDA. | 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value | Fully Supported |
| Image Alt Text | All images have descriptive alternative text. | 1.1.1 Non-text Content | Fully Supported |
| Color Contrast | Sufficient color contrast is used throughout the site. | 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) | Fully Supported |
| Text Resizing | Users can resize text without loss of content or functionality. | 1.4.4 Resize text | Fully Supported |
| Form Labels | Forms have clear and descriptive labels. | 3.3.2 Labels or Instructions | Fully Supported |
| Video Captions | All videos have captions or transcripts available. | 1.2.2 Captions (Prerecorded) | Partially Supported (In Progress for all videos) |
Ongoing Efforts
Veridian Stage Academy recognizes that accessibility is an ongoing effort. We are committed to regularly reviewing and updating our website to maintain and improve accessibility. This includes:
- Conducting regular accessibility audits.
- Training our staff on accessibility best practices.
- Seeking feedback from users with disabilities.
- Staying up-to-date with the latest accessibility standards and guidelines.
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 at:
Veridian Stage Academy
Accessibility Team
410 S Michigan Ave, Suite 500
Chicago, IL 60605
Phone: (312) 555-ACT1 (2281)
Email: [email protected]
We will do our best to respond to your feedback in a timely manner.
Third-Party Content
Some of the content on our website is provided by third parties. While we strive to ensure that all third-party content is accessible, we cannot guarantee that it will always meet our accessibility standards. If you encounter any accessibility barriers with third-party content, please let us know, and we will contact the third party to address the issue.
Formal Complaints
If you are not satisfied with our response to your accessibility feedback, you have the right to file a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice.
Accessibility Statement Update
This accessibility statement was last updated on October 26, 2023. We will update this statement as needed to reflect changes in our accessibility efforts.
We believe that creating an inclusive and accessible website is not only the right thing to do, but it also benefits everyone. By making our website accessible, we are creating a better experience for all of our users.
Thank you for your support in our commitment to accessibility.
Sincerely,
Eleanor Vance
Accessibility Officer
Veridian Stage Academy