Accessibility Statement
Our commitment to making our website and services accessible to everyone.
Last Updated: January 2025
Our Commitment to Accessibility
Peridot Home Care is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people of all abilities, including seniors and individuals with disabilities. We continually work to improve the user experience for everyone and apply relevant accessibility standards to ensure our website is accessible to the widest possible audience.
Accessibility Standards
This website strives to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA, an internationally recognized standard for web accessibility developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). These guidelines explain how to make web content more accessible for people with disabilities and more usable for everyone.
Our commitment to accessibility is also guided by:
- Accessible Canada Act (ACA)
- Canadian Human Rights Act
- Accessible British Columbia Act
- Understanding the needs of our primary demographic: seniors and their families
Accessibility Features
Large, Readable Text
Minimum 18px font size throughout the site, with clear, easy-to-read fonts designed for readability by seniors and those with visual impairments.
Touch-Friendly Targets
All interactive elements (buttons, links) meet or exceed the minimum 44×44 pixel touch target size for easy tapping on mobile devices.
High Contrast Colors
Color combinations meet WCAG AA contrast ratios (4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text) to ensure readability for users with low vision or color blindness.
Keyboard Navigation
Full keyboard navigation support allows users to navigate and interact with all website features using only a keyboard (no mouse required).
Specific Accessibility Measures
Semantic HTML Structure
We use proper HTML5 semantic elements (header, nav, main, section, article, footer) to create a logical document structure that screen readers can interpret correctly.
ARIA Labels and Landmarks
Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) attributes provide additional context for screen reader users, including:
- ARIA labels for icons and visual elements
- ARIA landmarks to identify page regions
- ARIA live regions for dynamic content updates
- ARIA hidden attributes to hide decorative elements from assistive technology
Alternative Text for Images
All meaningful images include descriptive alternative text. Decorative images are marked as such so screen readers can skip them.
Clear Focus Indicators
Visible focus indicators (outlines/rings) appear when navigating with a keyboard, making it easy to see which element currently has focus.
Descriptive Links and Buttons
Links and buttons have clear, descriptive text that makes sense out of context. We avoid vague phrases like "click here" or "read more."
Consistent Navigation
Navigation menus and page layouts are consistent throughout the site, making it easier for users to learn and predict where to find information.
Form Accessibility
All form fields have clear labels, instructions, and error messages. Required fields are clearly marked, and validation errors are communicated in an accessible manner.
Responsive Design
The website is fully responsive and works on devices of all sizes, from smartphones to large desktop monitors. Content reflows and adjusts to different screen sizes and zoom levels (up to 200% zoom).
No Automatic Time Limits
We do not impose time limits on reading or interacting with content, allowing users to work at their own pace.
Senior-Friendly Design
Understanding that many of our website visitors are seniors or family members of seniors, we have implemented additional design considerations:
Assistive Technology Compatibility
This website has been tested for compatibility with common assistive technologies, including:
- Screen Readers: JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, TalkBack
- Screen Magnification: ZoomText, built-in browser zoom, OS magnification tools
- Speech Recognition: Dragon NaturallySpeaking, Windows Speech Recognition
- Browser Accessibility Features: High contrast modes, text sizing, reader views
We test on multiple browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) and devices (desktop, tablet, mobile) to ensure broad compatibility.
Known Limitations
Areas for Improvement
While we strive for full accessibility, we acknowledge the following areas where we continue to work on improvements:
- Some third-party embedded content (videos, maps) may have limited accessibility features
- Downloadable PDF documents are being reviewed and updated for accessibility compliance
- We are continuously testing and refining our website based on user feedback
Third-Party Content
Our website may include content from third-party providers (e.g., embedded videos, social media feeds, maps). While we select vendors who prioritize accessibility, we cannot guarantee the accessibility of all third-party content. If you encounter accessibility barriers in third-party content, please let us know so we can work with the provider or find an alternative.
Ongoing Commitment
Accessibility is an ongoing effort, not a one-time achievement. We are committed to:
- Regular Audits: Conducting periodic accessibility audits of our website
- Continuous Testing: Testing with real assistive technologies and user feedback
- Staff Training: Training our team on accessibility best practices
- User Feedback: Listening to and acting on accessibility feedback from our community
- Staying Current: Keeping up with evolving accessibility standards and technologies
Feedback and Support
We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of our website. If you encounter any accessibility barriers, have suggestions for improvement, or need assistance accessing any content, please contact us:
Peridot Home Care - Accessibility Coordinator
123 Care Street, Suite 100
Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 1A1
Phone: +1 (604) 924-8672
We aim to respond to accessibility feedback within 5 business days. For urgent accessibility issues, please call us directly.
Alternative Formats
If you require information from this website in an alternative format, we are happy to provide it. Available formats include:
- Large print
- Audio recording
- Plain language summaries
- Different language translations (where available)
Please contact us with your request, and we will work to provide the information in your preferred format within a reasonable timeframe.
Thank You
Thank you for taking the time to review our Accessibility Statement. We are committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability or age, can access the information and services we provide. Your feedback helps us improve and ensures we continue to serve our community inclusively.