We firmly believe that the internet should be available and accessible to all users, and we are committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of circumstance and ability.
To fulfill this, we aim to adhere as strictly as possible to the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG 2.1) at the AA level.
This website utilizes an accessibility interface that allows users with specific disabilities to adjust the website’s UI (user interface) and design it to their personal needs. This interface replaces the controversial approach to accessibility in which all users are presented with the same diminished interface or design.
Additionally, the website utilizes an AI-based application that remediates the website’s HTML, adapts the functionality and behavior of the website for screen-readers, and offers enhanced keyboard functions for individuals with motor impairments.
Screen-reader and keyboard navigation on our website
Our website implements the ARIA attributes (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) technique, alongside various different behavioral changes, to ensure blind users visiting with screen-readers are able to read, comprehend, and enjoy the website’s functions. Here is how our website covers some of the most important screen-reader requirements:
Screen-reader optimization
We run a background process that learns about the website’s components and functionality. During this process, we provide screen-readers with meaningful data using the ARIA set of attributes. For example, we provide accurate form labels; descriptions for actionable icons (social media icons, search icons, etc.); validation guidance for form inputs; element roles such as buttons, menus, modal dialogues (popups), and others.
Additionally, the background process scans all of the website’s images and provides an accurate and meaningful image-object-recognition-based description as an ALT (alternate text) tag for images that are not described. The system also extracts texts that are embedded within images, using OCR (optical character recognition) technology. To turn on screen-reader adjustments at any time, users need only press the Alt+1 keyboard combination. Screen-reader users also receive an automated alert to turn on Screen-reader mode on as soon as they enter the website.
The above adjustments are compatible with all popular screen readers, including JAWS and NVDA.
Keyboard navigation optimization
The background process also adjusts the website’s HTML, and adds various behaviors using JavaScript code to make the website operable via keyboard. This includes the ability to navigate the website using the Tab and Shift+Tab keys, operate dropdowns with the arrow keys, close them with Esc, trigger buttons and links using the Enter key, navigate between radio and checkbox elements using the arrow keys, and fill in details with the Spacebar or Enter keys.
Additionally, keyboard users will find quick-navigation and content-skip menus available at any time by clicking Alt+1, or as the first elements of the site while navigating with the keyboard. The background process also handles triggered popups by moving the keyboard focus towards them as soon as they appear.
Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements of a web page.
Disability profiles supported in our website
- Epilepsy Safe Profile: This profile enables persons with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
- Visually Impaired Profile: This profile adjusts the website so that it is accessible for the majority of visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
- Cognitive Disability Profile: This profile provides various assistive features to help users with cognitive disabilities such as Autism, Dyslexia, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of a web page more easily.
- ADHD Friendly Profile: This profile significantly reduces distractions and noise, to help people with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders browse, read, and focus on the essential elements of a web page more easily.
- Blind Users Profile (Screen-readers): This profile adjusts the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack.
- Keyboard Navigation Profile (Motor-Impaired): This profile enables motor-impaired persons to operate the website using the keyboard Tab, Shift+Tab, and the Enter keys. Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements of a web page.
Additional UI, design, and readability adjustments available on our website
- Font adjustments: Users can increase and decrease font size, change font family (type), adjust the spacing, alignment, line height, and more.
- Color adjustments: Users can select various color contrast profiles such as light, dark, inverted, and monochrome. Additionally, users can swap color schemes of titles, texts, and backgrounds, with over 7 different coloring options.
- Animations: Epileptic users can stop all running animations with the click of a button. Animations controlled by the interface include videos, GIFs, and CSS flashing transitions.
- Content highlighting: Users can choose to emphasize important elements such as links and titles. They can also choose to highlight focused or hovered elements only.
- Audio muting: Users with hearing devices may experience headaches or other issues due to automatic audio playing. This option lets users mute the entire website instantly.
- Cognitive disorders: We utilize a search engine that is linked to Wikipedia and Wiktionary, allowing people with cognitive disorders to decipher meanings of phrases, initials, slang, and others.
- Additional functions: We provide users the option to change cursor color and size, use a printing mode, enable a virtual keyboard, and many other functions.
Notes, comments, and feedback
Despite our very best efforts to allow users to adjust the website to their needs, there may still be pages or sections that are not fully accessible, are in the process of becoming accessible, or are lacking an adequate technological solution to make them fully accessible. We are continually improving the accessibility of our website by adding, updating and improving accessibility-related features.