The Arch Hill Advocate is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for all readers, including those with disabilities. We are continuously working to improve the user experience for everyone and apply relevant accessibility standards.
Our objective is to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 Level AA. These guidelines outline principles for making web content more accessible to a wider range of people with disabilities. Adhering to these standards helps to make content perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for all users.
The editorial team views accessibility as a continuous endeavor. We regularly review our website and content production workflows to identify and address potential barriers.
Several measures have been integrated into the development and maintenance of archhill.co.nz to enhance its accessibility. These initiatives are part of our ongoing effort to provide equitable access to local news and information.
Semantic HTML: Our website structure utilizes semantic HTML5 elements to provide meaningful context to assistive technologies. This includes proper use of headings, lists, and structural elements to outline content hierarchy.
Alternative Text for Images: All non-decorative images published on archhill.co.nz include descriptive alternative text (alt text). This ensures that readers using screen readers receive information about visual content.
Keyboard Navigation: The website is designed to be fully navigable using only a keyboard. Users can access all interactive elements and content sections without requiring a mouse.
Color Contrast: Color combinations used for text and background elements are selected to meet or exceed WCAG 2.2 contrast ratio requirements. This helps ensure readability for individuals with low vision or color blindness.
Resizable Text: Readers can adjust text size through their browser settings without loss of content or functionality. Our design accommodates various zoom levels.
Screen Reader Compatibility: We regularly conduct internal testing with common screen readers to identify and resolve issues that might impede access to our content. This includes verifying logical reading order and clear labeling of interactive components.
Consistent Navigation: The site's navigation menus and structural elements are consistent across pages. This predictability assists users in understanding and operating the website.
Despite our best efforts to ensure accessibility, some limitations may exist. These are often related to dynamic content or integrations provided by third parties, which may be beyond our direct control.
For example, embedded videos from external platforms may have their own accessibility features. While we encourage accessible practices from our partners, their full compliance cannot always be guaranteed by The Arch Hill Advocate.
We are actively working to address any identified limitations and incorporate accessible alternatives where possible. Our development team monitors new accessibility technologies and best practices.
We are dedicated to improving the accessibility of The Arch Hill Advocate. If you encounter any barriers while accessing our content or have suggestions for improvement, we encourage you to contact us.
Please send detailed feedback to legal@archhill.co.nz. When reporting an issue, please include the specific web address (URL) of the page in question and describe the difficulty you experienced. This information will help our technical team investigate and resolve the problem efficiently.
Your feedback is valuable in assisting us to maintain and enhance our accessibility standards.
Our website may include content from third-party providers, such as embedded social media feeds, advertising platforms, or external video players. While we strive to select partners who also value accessibility, we cannot guarantee the accessibility of all third-party content.
The Arch Hill Advocate is not responsible for the accessibility compliance of external websites or content linked from our pages. Readers who encounter accessibility issues with third-party content should contact the originating service provider directly.
This accessibility statement will be reviewed and updated annually, or sooner if significant changes are made to archhill.co.nz. Our team conducts regular internal audits to assess compliance with WCAG 2.2 Level AA standards.
The last review of this statement and website accessibility was conducted in January 2024. We remain committed to continuous improvement in our digital accessibility efforts.
This publication is owned and operated by APG, an independent digital media company.