Our Commitment to Accessibility
At EchoSphere Podcasts, we believe that everyone should have equal access to information and services online. We are dedicated to making our website a welcoming and inclusive experience for all users, including those with disabilities. Our ongoing efforts are based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, levels A and AA.
We strive to ensure that our website is:
- Perceivable: Information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive.
- Operable: User interface components and navigation must be operable.
- Understandable: Information and the operation of the user interface must be understandable.
- Robust: Content must be robust enough that it can be interpreted reliably by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies.
Accessibility Features Implemented
To achieve our accessibility goals, we have implemented the following features on our website:
- Semantic HTML: We use semantic HTML5 elements to structure our content, making it easier for assistive technologies to understand and navigate.
- Alternative Text for Images: All images have descriptive alternative text, providing context for users who cannot see them. For example, our podcast cover images have alt text describing the podcast title and general subject matter. See the podcast card images on the home page for examples.
- Keyboard Navigation: Our website can be navigated using a keyboard alone, ensuring that users who cannot use a mouse can still access all content and functionality. Try pressing the 'Tab' key to navigate through the links.
- Sufficient Color Contrast: We have ensured that there is sufficient contrast between text and background colors to make our content readable for users with low vision. Our color palette was specifically chosen to meet WCAG guidelines for contrast ratios.
- Resizable Text: Users can easily increase or decrease the text size of our website using their browser settings, allowing them to customize the viewing experience to their needs.
- Clear and Consistent Navigation: We have designed our navigation to be clear and consistent throughout the website, making it easy for users to find the information they are looking for. The main navigation is always available at the top of the page.
- ARIA Attributes: We use ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes to enhance the accessibility of complex user interface components, providing additional information to assistive technologies.
- Form Labels and Instructions: All form fields are properly labeled, and clear instructions are provided to assist users in completing forms accurately.
- Video and Audio Captions and Transcripts: All video and audio content includes captions and transcripts, making it accessible to users who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Ongoing Accessibility Efforts
We are committed to continuously improving the accessibility of our website. Our ongoing efforts include:
- Regularly auditing our website for accessibility issues using automated tools and manual testing.
- Training our staff on accessibility best practices.
- Incorporating accessibility considerations into our design and development processes.
- Seeking feedback from users with disabilities to identify areas for improvement.
Known Limitations
Despite our best efforts, there may be some limitations in the accessibility of our website. For example, some older content may not fully conform to WCAG 2.1 AA standards. We are working to address these limitations and improve the overall accessibility of our website.
Accessibility Conformance Report
This website conforms to WCAG 2.1 level AA, with the following exceptions:
| Issue | WCAG Guideline | Description | Remediation Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Some older PDF documents | 1.1.1 Non-text Content | Some older PDF documents may not have alternative text for images or may not be properly tagged. | We are working to remediate these documents as time allows. All new documents will be created to be fully accessible. |
| Dynamic Content Updates | 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value | In rare instances, dynamic content updates might not always immediately announce to screen reader users. | We are monitoring this closely and implementing ARIA live regions to improve the experience. |
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: (504) 555-0124 (Accessibility Support Line)
- Address: Accessibility Team, EchoSphere Podcasts, 123 Bourbon Street, New Orleans, LA 70112
We will do our best to respond to your feedback in a timely manner and take appropriate action to address any issues.
Technical Specifications
Accessibility of EchoSphere Podcasts relies on the following technologies to work with the particular combination of web browser and any assistive technologies or plugins installed on your computer:
- HTML
- CSS
- JavaScript
- ARIA
Formal Complaints
If you have a formal complaint about the accessibility of this website, please submit it in writing to the address provided above. We will acknowledge your complaint within five business days and provide a proposed resolution within thirty business days.