Accessibility Statement for Verdant Vista

Verdant Vista is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for everyone. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone and applying the relevant accessibility standards.

Our Commitment to Accessibility

We believe that everyone deserves equal access to information and digital content. Verdant Vista is dedicated to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of technology or ability.

To uphold this commitment, we strive to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA. These guidelines outline best practices for making web content more accessible to people with disabilities. By adhering to these standards, we aim to provide a user-friendly and inclusive online environment.

Accessibility Features

Verdant Vista incorporates the following accessibility features to enhance the user experience:

• Semantic HTML: We use semantic HTML elements to structure our content, making it easier for assistive technologies to interpret and navigate.
• Alternative Text: All images on our website include descriptive alternative text (alt text) to convey their meaning to users who cannot see them. For example, an image showing a vibrant quinoa salad is described as "A vibrant quinoa salad with roasted vegetables and a lemon-herb dressing, showcasing fresh ingredients."
• Keyboard Navigation: Our website is fully navigable using a keyboard, allowing users who cannot use a mouse to access all content and functionality.
• Color Contrast: We have carefully selected color combinations to ensure sufficient contrast between text and background, making it easier for users with low vision to read the content.
• Resizable Text: Users can easily adjust the text size on our website using their browser settings, without losing content or functionality.
• Clear and Consistent Navigation: Our website features a clear and consistent navigation structure, making it easy for users to find the information they need.
• Form Labels and Instructions: All forms on our website include clear labels and instructions to help users understand how to complete them.
• ARIA Attributes: We use ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes to provide additional information to assistive technologies, further enhancing the accessibility of interactive elements.
• Skip to Content Link: A "Skip to Content" link is provided at the top of each page, allowing users to bypass the navigation menu and jump directly to the main content.

Specific Accessibility Measures Taken

We have implemented several specific measures to ensure the accessibility of Verdant Vista:

• Regular accessibility audits and testing using both automated tools and manual testing techniques.
• Training our content creators and developers on accessibility best practices.
• Ensuring that all new content and features are designed with accessibility in mind.
• Providing ongoing maintenance and updates to address any accessibility issues that may arise.
• Using descriptive link text. Links clearly indicate their destination, avoiding vague phrases like "click here." For example, a link to our recipes page reads "Explore Recipes" instead of "Click here."
• Structuring content with headings. Headings (H1, H2, H3, etc.) are used to organize content logically, making it easier for users to scan and understand the structure of the page.

Supported Browsers and Assistive Technologies

Verdant Vista is designed to be compatible with a wide range of browsers and assistive technologies, including:

• Latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.
• Screen readers such as JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver.
• Speech recognition software such as Dragon NaturallySpeaking.
• Keyboard navigation tools.

Known Limitations

Despite our best efforts, some limitations may exist on Verdant Vista. We are continuously working to improve the accessibility of our website and address any known issues. Currently, we are aware of the following potential limitations:

• Some older PDF documents may not be fully accessible. We are working to replace these with accessible versions.
• Embedded videos may not always have accurate captions. We are actively reviewing and improving captioning on our video content.

Third-Party Content

Verdant Vista may include content from third-party sources, such as social media feeds or embedded videos. While we strive to ensure that all content is accessible, we cannot guarantee the accessibility of third-party content. We encourage third-party providers to adhere to accessibility best practices.

Conformance Status

This website partially conforms to WCAG 2.1 level AA. "Partially conforms" means that some parts of the content do not fully conform to the accessibility standard.

Technical Specifications

Accessibility of Verdant Vista 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

These technologies are relied upon for conformance to the accessibility standards used.

Exceptions

While we strive to adhere to the accepted guidelines and standards for accessibility and usability, it is not always possible to do so in all areas of the website. We are continually seeking out solutions that will bring all areas of the site up to the same level of overall web accessibility. In the meantime should you experience any difficulty in accessing the Verdant Vista website, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Table of Accessibility Features

This table outlines the specific accessibility features implemented on Verdant Vista and their purpose.