Accessibility Policy
Design
This site has been designed to separate the semantics from the layout. This means that style sheets can be safely disabled without rendering the content of the site unbrowseable. We have employed many style sheets (and plan to include a few more) to help with the browsing of this site.
Style Sheets
Many style sheets have been employed to render the content in manageable ways for users of this site. This includes a table-less design for visually impaired users with screen reading technologies.
We have created stylesheets for people with visual disabilities which require "High Contrast" versions of the site (brightly colored text and links). We have created both a "High Contrast" version as well a "High Contrast with No Images" for people with visual impairments using screen-reader technologies. People with visual impairments sometimes prefer content without photographs which impede their abilities to receive the content directly.
High Contrast Stylesheets
We have specifically chosen to use a black background with yellow text to provide representation to those with visual impairments. This stylesheet also incorporates bright (green, red and purple) colors to highlight links and visited pages.
We have been unable to implement high contrast stylesheets within the Calendar of our site. We are working to employ this feature allowing those with visual disabilities to browse the events calendar as well Groups calendars. We are working to have this feature implemented very soon.
Font Sizes
Many people need to increase or decrease the font used on this site which can be done in the browser's options. This site will expand and contract to fit the desired font size of its content. This is done to ensure those with visual impairments are able to receive the content of this site as any other would.
Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer does not have any quick access keys for changing the font size of the site being viewed. Increasing or decreasing font size options of this site can be viewed under the Edit menu under Text Size.
Firefox
Holding CTRL and Shift while pressing the + key will increase the font size of this site. Holding CTRL while pressing the - (same key as the + sign) will decrease the font size of this site.
Access Keys
This site conscientiously does not employ access keys because they are essential to many people. There have been attempts to standardize the feature but too many variables exist. Many clients browsing the web have customized access keys and employing them on this site could override users' custom keys and making for a bad experience on this site.
Having noted the above, we will look into offering access keys in the future on the condition they can be turned on and off at will or even customized by the user browsing the site. As of now this is not a feasible feature.
Links and Redirects
All links on this site are both colored and contain a solid underline format to aide users in finding them. There can be text which is underlined that is not a link, be aware that if the mouse is waved over the text in question, it will turn to a "pointer" cursor and not a "text-selection" cursor.
Redirects on this site are created using proper HTTP redirect codes and do not use "meta refresh" which create many problems for certain users. HTTP redirect codes are cleaner for the web browser as it properly changes the information in web browsers to not reflect a redirect (thus creating an infinite loop).
While we are far from perfect, we try to get as close as possible. That being said, if a link opens in a new window, the following key strokes work on most systems to close the new window:
- Safari (Mac OS X): Hold down the Command Key, press W, then release both keys.
- Windows Users: Hold down the Alt key, press F4, then release both keys.
Headings
We try our hardest to use proper headings within articles as to aide screen reading and other assistive technologies for a better browsing experience. Please let us know if you have trouble with the headings contained in this site.
Does this site work for you?
If you have trouble browsing this site for whatever reason, feel free to contact us and we will work diligently with you to get it corrected.