Accessibility Statement

OCSNC's commitment to digital accessibility and inclusive design for all users.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025

Our Commitment to Accessibility

The Oldham County Special Needs Community (OCSNC) is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for all individuals, including those with disabilities. We strive to provide an inclusive online experience that empowers every member of our community to access information, resources, and services with dignity and independence.

Accessibility Standards

Our website aims to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 at Level AA. These guidelines explain how to make web content more accessible for people with disabilities and provide a better user experience for everyone.

WCAG 2.1 AA Compliance

We work to ensure our website meets these key principles:

Perceivable: Information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive

  • Alternative text for images
  • Captions and transcripts for multimedia
  • High contrast color schemes
  • Resizable text up to 200% without loss of functionality

Operable: User interface components and navigation must be operable

  • Keyboard accessibility for all functionality
  • No content that causes seizures or physical reactions
  • Users have enough time to read and use content
  • Clear navigation and orientation

Understandable: Information and the operation of user interface must be understandable

  • Text is readable and understandable
  • Content appears and operates in predictable ways
  • Users are helped to avoid and correct mistakes

Robust: Content must be robust enough to be interpreted reliably by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies

  • Compatible with current and future assistive technologies
  • Valid, semantic HTML markup
  • Progressive enhancement approach

Accessibility Features

  • Skip Links: Quick navigation to main content areas
  • Keyboard Navigation: Full site functionality available via keyboard
  • Logical Tab Order: Consistent and intuitive navigation flow
  • Clear Headings: Hierarchical structure for easy navigation
  • Breadcrumbs: Clear page location indicators

Visual Design

  • High Contrast Mode: Toggle for enhanced visual contrast
  • Resizable Text: Text can be enlarged up to 200% without horizontal scrolling
  • Color Independence: Information not conveyed by color alone
  • Focus Indicators: Clear visual indicators for keyboard focus
  • Consistent Layout: Predictable page structure and navigation

Content and Media

  • Alternative Text: Descriptive alt text for all informative images
  • Descriptive Links: Clear, meaningful link text
  • Plain Language: Content written in clear, understandable language
  • Document Accessibility: Accessible PDFs and documents when available

Interactive Elements

  • Form Labels: Clear, descriptive labels for all form fields
  • Error Messages: Clear, helpful error identification and correction guidance
  • Button Descriptions: Descriptive button text and ARIA labels
  • Status Messages: Screen reader announcements for dynamic content changes

Assistive Technology Support

  • Screen Reader Compatibility: Tested with popular screen readers
  • Voice Control Software: Compatible with voice navigation tools
  • Switch Navigation: Support for switch-based navigation devices
  • Magnification Software: Compatible with screen magnification tools

Accessibility Tools

Built-in Accessibility Features

Our website includes several tools to help customize your experience:

  • High Contrast Toggle: Increases contrast for better visibility
  • Font Size Toggle: Enlarges text for easier reading
  • Skip Navigation: Jump directly to main content
  • Keyboard Shortcuts: Quick access to important features

Browser Accessibility Features

Most modern browsers include accessibility features:

  • Text zoom and font size adjustment
  • High contrast and dark mode options
  • Voice control and dictation
  • Screen reader compatibility

Third-Party Tools

We recommend these accessibility tools:

  • Screen Readers: NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver, TalkBack
  • Browser Extensions: High contrast, ad blockers, reading aids
  • Voice Control: Dragon NaturallySpeaking, Windows Speech Recognition
  • Magnification: ZoomText, built-in OS magnifiers

Testing and Monitoring

Regular Accessibility Audits

  • Automated testing with accessibility scanning tools
  • Manual testing with keyboard navigation
  • Screen reader testing with popular assistive technologies
  • User testing with individuals who use assistive technologies

Ongoing Monitoring

  • Regular review of new content for accessibility compliance
  • Updates to maintain compatibility with new assistive technologies
  • Community feedback integration for continuous improvement
  • Staff training on accessibility best practices

Known Issues and Limitations

We continuously work to improve accessibility, but some limitations may exist:

Current Known Issues

As of the last update, no significant accessibility barriers have been identified. We will update this section if issues are discovered.

Third-Party Content

Some embedded content from third-party providers may not fully meet our accessibility standards. We work with vendors to improve accessibility and provide alternative access methods when possible.

Legacy Content

Older content is being systematically reviewed and updated to meet current accessibility standards.

Feedback and Support

Report Accessibility Issues

If you encounter accessibility barriers on our website, accessibility feedback will be addressed as the organization develops.

When Reporting Issues, Please Include:

  • Page URL where the issue occurred
  • Description of the accessibility barrier
  • Assistive technology you’re using (if applicable)
  • Browser and operating system information
  • Suggested improvements (if any)

Continuous Improvement

Our Accessibility Journey

Accessibility is an ongoing commitment, not a one-time achievement. We continuously work to:

  • Stay current with accessibility standards and best practices
  • Incorporate user feedback and testing results
  • Update content and features to improve accessibility
  • Train staff on accessibility principles and implementation
  • Collaborate with the disability community for guidance and input

Future Enhancements

We are working on:

  • Enhanced mobile accessibility features
  • Improved multimedia accessibility
  • Additional language support and translation options
  • More comprehensive user customization options
  • Integration with emerging assistive technologies

Community Involvement

We believe the best accessibility solutions come from involving people with disabilities in the design and testing process. We welcome:

  • Feedback from users with disabilities
  • Suggestions for improvement
  • Participation in user testing
  • Collaboration on accessibility initiatives

Accessibility Resources

Learn More About Accessibility

Assistive Technology Resources

Training and Education

Contact About Accessibility

Accessibility contact information will be added when the organization is established.

This accessibility statement reflects our ongoing commitment to serving all members of the Oldham County special needs community with dignity, respect, and equal access to information and services.