Last updated: May 2026
Everyone deserves access to information about the environment where they live. We're committed to making CheckYourZone usable by as many people as possible.
Our Commitment
We aim to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards. This means:
- Perceivable - Content can be perceived through different senses
- Operable - Interface works with various input methods
- Understandable - Information and operation are clear
- Robust - Content works with current and future technologies
What We're Doing
Currently Implemented
- Semantic HTML - Proper heading structure, landmarks, and labels
- Keyboard navigation - All interactive elements accessible via keyboard
- Color contrast - Text meets minimum contrast ratios
- Alt text - Images include descriptive text
- Focus indicators - Visible focus states for keyboard users
- Responsive design - Works on various screen sizes
- Plain language - Content written to be understandable
In Progress
- Screen reader testing across multiple platforms
- Comprehensive keyboard navigation audit
- Color-blind friendly hazard visualizations
- Skip navigation links
- ARIA labels where semantic HTML isn't sufficient
Known Limitations
We're a small project and still improving. Current known issues:
Maps
Interactive maps present accessibility challenges. We're working on:
- Text alternatives for map content
- Keyboard-navigable map controls
- Non-map alternatives for all geographic information
If you can't use the map features, the same facility and hazard data is available in list/table format.
Data Visualizations
Charts and graphs showing chemical dispersion may not be fully accessible. We provide:
- Data tables as alternatives
- Text descriptions of key findings
- The underlying numbers, not just visuals
PDF Documents
If we link to external PDFs (like EPA reports), those documents' accessibility varies and is outside our control.
Assistive Technology
We test with:
- Screen readers: VoiceOver (macOS), NVDA (Windows)
- Keyboard-only navigation
- Browser zoom up to 200%
- High contrast modes
If you use assistive technology and encounter issues, please tell us - your feedback directly improves the site.
Feedback and Contact
Found a barrier? We want to know.
Please tell us:
- What page you were on
- What you were trying to do
- What happened (or didn't)
- What assistive technology you use (if any)
Contact:
- Email: amarx@xram.net
- GitHub: https://github.com/atmarx/checkyourzone (issues welcome)
We aim to respond to accessibility feedback within one week and fix critical issues as quickly as possible.
Continuous Improvement
Accessibility isn't a checkbox - it's ongoing work. We regularly:
- Review new content for accessibility
- Test with actual users when possible
- Update this statement as we improve
- Learn from feedback
Formal Complaints
If you've contacted us about an accessibility issue and aren't satisfied with the response, you can file a complaint with:
- U.S. Department of Justice - ADA complaints for websites
- Your state's civil rights office
We'd rather fix problems directly, but you have rights and options.
This statement describes our accessibility goals and current status. It's a living document that we update as the site evolves.