TL;DR (Plain‑Language Summary)
We want Divertical to work for everyone. If anything is hard to use, tell us and we’ll fix it. Email diverticalaccessibility@gmail.com
Our Commitment
Divertical is built by and for neurodivergent people and allies. We aim to provide an inclusive, low‑stress experience across our website, events, and communications. We follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2, AA level and continuously improve as standards evolve.
Contact & Feedback
If you have trouble using any part of Divertical or need an accessible alternative:
- Email: diverticalaccessibility@gmail.com
- Preferred response window: within 3 business days
- Please share: the page or feature, the issue you encountered, your browser/device and any assistive tech used. We will reply with a plan or a workaround.
What We Do (Website Standards)
We build and review the site with these practices:
- Structure & navigation: semantic HTML, headings in order, landmarks, skip links, keyboard‑accessible menus and dialogs.
- Keyboard access: logical tab order, visible focus, no keyboard traps, shortcuts that avoid conflicts with assistive tech.
- Color & contrast: minimum 4.5:1 for text, 3:1 for large text and UI; multiple themes (light, dark, high‑contrast); no color as the only cue.
- Motion & sensory preferences: respect
prefers-reduced-motion; avoid unexpected sounds, flashing, or auto‑playing media; provide alternatives for parallax/animations. - Images & media: meaningful alt text, decorative images marked as such; captions for videos; transcripts for audio; audio descriptions for essential visuals when needed.
- Forms: labels tied to inputs, clear instructions, error prevention and suggestions, descriptive button text, generous target sizes.
- Content: plain‑language summaries, consistent layout, readable line length, headings and lists for scannability.
- Links: descriptive link text that makes sense out of context; clear indication of new‑window behavior.
- Timing: no unexpected time limits; if timing exists, users can extend, adjust, or turn it off.
- Compatibility: tested with screen readers (VoiceOver, NVDA), keyboard only, zoom up to 400%, and common browsers on desktop and mobile.
Neuroinclusive Design Choices
Because many in our community are sensitive to sensory load, we:
- Offer animation toggles and reduced‑motion defaults in busy areas.
- Provide noise‑free pages: minimal pop‑ups, predictable navigation, gentle focus states.
- Use plain language and optional “More detail / Less detail” toggles.
- Keep forms short, with autosave and “save & finish later.”
- Provide theme options (light, dark, high‑contrast) and a font option optimized for dyslexia‑friendly reading.
- Avoid flashing (>3 flashes per second) and intense visual patterns.
Known Limitations (Actively Improving)
We are tracking and fixing the following:
- Historical event posts may have missing alt text.
- Some embedded third‑party widgets may not be fully keyboard accessible.
- Legacy PDFs are being converted to accessible HTML or tagged PDFs.
If you find something not listed here, please let us know.
Third‑Party Content
Our site may link to or embed third‑party services (maps, ticketing, video, forms). We select vendors with strong accessibility practices, but some components are outside our direct control. When issues arise, we provide an accessible alternative or assistance on request.
Browser & Assistive Tech Support Targets
- Desktop: Current and previous major versions of Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge
- Mobile: Current iOS and Android major versions
- Assistive Tech: VoiceOver (macOS/iOS), NVDA (Windows), TalkBack (Android), keyboard‑only navigation, browser zoom up to 400%
Ongoing Monitoring
- Automated checks during development (contrast, landmarks, ARIA)
- Manual audits each release for keyboard, screen reader, and zoom
- User feedback loop with our community, prioritizing fixes that unblock tasks
Legal & Standards
- Target conformance: WCAG 2.2 Level AA
- We also consider WAI‑ARIA Authoring Practices and evolving W3C guidance.
- Non‑discrimination: Divertical does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its programs or activities and will provide reasonable accommodations.
Alternatives & Assistance
If you need information in another format (large print, plain‑text, audio, or a phone read‑through), contact diverticalaccessibility@gmail.com and tell us your preference. We’ll work with you to deliver it in an accessible way.
