Lower Hutt Local is committed to ensuring its online content is accessible to all individuals. This includes people with disabilities. Our objective is to provide a digital experience that accommodates a wide range of needs and preferences.
We actively work to meet and exceed Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 Level AA standards. This commitment shapes our editorial practices and technical development processes.
Our editorial team and developers implement several key measures to enhance accessibility across the lowerhuttlocal.co.nz domain. These steps are integrated into our routine content publishing and site maintenance.
We employ semantic HTML5 to structure our web pages. This approach clarifies the purpose of content elements, making them more interpretable by assistive technologies, such as screen readers.
Headings are arranged logically, and lists are properly marked. This helps users navigate content efficiently and understand the hierarchical organization of information.
Every non-decorative image published on Lower Hutt Local includes descriptive alternative text. This text conveys the image's content and function to users who cannot see it, ensuring they do not miss crucial information.
Our journalists are instructed to write concise and accurate alt text for all visual elements. This ensures contextual understanding regardless of visual capability.
All interactive elements and content on our website can be accessed and operated using only a keyboard. This is critical for users who do not rely on a mouse or other pointing device.
Focus indicators are clearly visible, allowing users to track their position on the page as they tab through content. This enhances usability for keyboard-only navigation.
We adhere to WCAG 2.2 standards for colour contrast. Text and background colour combinations are selected to ensure sufficient contrast for readability, particularly for individuals with low vision or colour blindness.
Our design guidelines specify contrast ratios for all typographic elements. This reduces visual strain and improves comprehension for a broader audience.
Our website is designed and periodically tested for compatibility with various screen readers. This ensures that users relying on these assistive technologies can effectively consume our journalistic content.
Content is typically presented in a logical reading order. Redundant or unclear elements are avoided to streamline the screen reader experience.
Any interactive forms present on our site are designed with accessibility in mind. Form fields include clear labels, and error messages are presented in an accessible format.
These measures ensure that all users can provide feedback or engage with interactive features, should they be implemented.
Despite our extensive efforts, some legacy content or third-party integrations may present minor accessibility challenges. Our team addresses these as part of ongoing maintenance and updates.
We are continuously working to audit and remediate any identified issues. Our goal is to maintain a consistently accessible experience across all areas of lowerhuttlocal.co.nz.
If you encounter any accessibility barriers while using lowerhuttlocal.co.nz, please inform us. Your feedback is valuable in our continuous efforts to improve accessibility.
Please send detailed reports, including the specific page or feature, the nature of the issue, and any assistive technologies you are using, to legal@lowerhuttlocal.co.nz.
Our editorial team and technical staff will review your communication promptly. We are committed to addressing reported issues efficiently.
Lower Hutt Local's content sometimes includes embeds or links to third-party platforms (e.g., video hosting services, social media feeds). While we select partners with accessibility awareness, we cannot guarantee the accessibility of external content not directly controlled by our newsroom.
When significant third-party content is used, we endeavour to provide accessible alternatives or supplementary information where feasible. This ensures core information remains available.
This Accessibility Statement is subject to periodic review. We reassess our accessibility practices and policies at least annually, or as technological advancements and guideline updates dictate.
The next scheduled review for this statement is set for October 2024. Our commitment to accessibility is an ongoing process of evaluation and refinement.
This publication is owned and operated by Scholastica Media, an independent digital media company.