Accessibility Statement

1. Our Commitment

Coastcare Mobile Vet ("we", "us", "our") is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people with disabilities. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone and applying the relevant accessibility standards to achieve these goals.

We believe that everyone should be able to access and use our website, regardless of their abilities or the technology they use. This commitment aligns with our values of inclusivity and equal access to veterinary services.

2. Accessibility Standards

We aim to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 at Level AA standards. These guidelines explain how to make web content more accessible for people with disabilities and user-friendly for everyone.

The WCAG guidelines are organized around four principles:

• Perceivable: Information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive
• Operable: User interface components and navigation must be operable
• Understandable: Information and the operation of the user interface must be understandable
• Robust: Content must be robust enough that it can be interpreted reliably by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies

3. Accessibility Features

We have implemented the following accessibility features on our website:

3.1 Keyboard Navigation

• All interactive elements can be accessed using only a keyboard
• Clear focus indicators are provided for keyboard users
• Logical tab order throughout the website
• Skip links to bypass repetitive navigation

3.2 Screen Reader Compatibility

• Semantic HTML structure with proper heading hierarchy
• Alternative text (alt text) for images and graphics
• Descriptive link text that makes sense out of context
• ARIA labels where appropriate for enhanced screen reader support
• Form labels and error messages that are clearly associated with form fields

3.3 Visual Accessibility

• Sufficient color contrast ratios between text and background (minimum 4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text)
• Text is not solely dependent on color to convey information
• Resizable text up to 200% without loss of functionality
• Responsive design that works on various screen sizes and devices

3.4 Content Structure

• Clear and consistent navigation structure
• Descriptive page titles
• Proper heading hierarchy (H1, H2, H3, etc.)
• Lists are properly formatted
• Content is organized in a logical, sequential manner

3.5 Forms and Interactive Elements

• All form fields have associated labels
• Error messages are clearly identified and described
• Required fields are clearly marked
• Form validation messages are accessible to screen readers
• Buttons and links have descriptive text

4. Known Limitations

Despite our best efforts to ensure accessibility, there may be some limitations. We are aware of the following areas that may need improvement:

• Some third-party content or embedded services may not be fully accessible
• Older PDF documents may not be fully accessible (we are working to update these)
• Some complex interactive features may require additional testing and refinement

We are actively working to address these limitations and improve the accessibility of our website. If you encounter any accessibility barriers, please contact us using the information provided in section 8.

5. Assistive Technologies

Our website is designed to work with various assistive technologies, including:

• Screen readers (e.g., JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, TalkBack)
• Screen magnification software
• Voice recognition software
• Keyboard-only navigation
• Switch devices
• Browser zoom and text size adjustments

6. Browser Compatibility

Our website is designed to work with modern browsers and assistive technologies. We recommend using the latest versions of:

• Google Chrome
• Mozilla Firefox
• Microsoft Edge
• Safari

For the best accessibility experience, we recommend keeping your browser and assistive technology software up to date.

7. Accessibility Adjustments You Can Make

You can customize your browsing experience to better suit your needs:

7.1 Browser Settings

• Text Size: Most browsers allow you to zoom in or increase text size (usually Ctrl/Cmd + Plus key, or through browser settings)
• High Contrast Mode: Enable high contrast mode in your operating system settings
• Font Customization: Some browsers allow you to change fonts and font sizes

7.2 Operating System Settings

• Windows: Use Ease of Access settings to adjust display, sound, and input options
• macOS: Use Accessibility preferences to customize your experience
• Mobile Devices: Use built-in accessibility features like VoiceOver (iOS) or TalkBack (Android)

7.3 Third-Party Tools

There are various browser extensions and tools available that can enhance accessibility, such as:

• Screen readers
• Text-to-speech tools
• Color contrast analyzers
• Reading assistants

8. Feedback and Reporting Issues

We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of our website. If you encounter any accessibility barriers or have suggestions for improvement, please contact us:

• Phone: 0412 886 953
• Email: [email protected]
• Business Hours: Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm and Saturdays 10am to 2pm

When reporting accessibility issues, please include:

• The URL or page where you encountered the issue
• A description of the problem
• The technology you were using (browser, assistive technology, device)
• Any suggestions for improvement

We aim to respond to accessibility feedback within 5 business days and will work to address reported issues in a timely manner.

9. Ongoing Improvements

Accessibility is an ongoing effort. We are committed to:

• Regularly reviewing and testing our website for accessibility
• Training our team on accessibility best practices
• Staying informed about accessibility standards and guidelines
• Implementing improvements based on user feedback
• Conducting periodic accessibility audits

We will continue to update this accessibility statement as we make improvements to our website.

10. Alternative Access Methods

If you experience difficulties accessing our website, we offer alternative ways to access our services:

• Phone: Call us at 0412 886 953 to book appointments or get information
• Email: Contact us at [email protected]
• In-Person: We provide mobile veterinary services, so we can discuss your needs during a home visit

We are happy to provide information in alternative formats upon request, such as:

• Large print documents
• Plain language versions
• Audio descriptions
• Other formats as needed

11. Legal Compliance

In Australia, accessibility requirements are governed by:

• Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth): Prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability
• Australian Human Rights Commission: Provides guidance on digital accessibility
• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG): International standards for web accessibility

We are committed to complying with these requirements and continuously improving our accessibility practices.

12. Third-Party Content

Our website may include content from third parties, such as:

• Embedded videos or media
• Social media widgets
• Third-party booking systems
• External links to other websites

While we strive to ensure all content on our website is accessible, we may not have full control over third-party content. If you encounter accessibility issues with third-party content, please let us know, and we will work with the third party to address the issue or provide an alternative.

13. Updates to This Statement

We may update this Accessibility Statement from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, improvements to our website, or updates to accessibility standards. We will indicate the date of the last update at the bottom of this page.

We encourage you to review this statement periodically to stay informed about our accessibility efforts.

14. Additional Resources

For more information about web accessibility, you may find the following resources helpful:

• Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) - Information about web accessibility standards
• Australian Human Rights Commission - Disability Rights - Information about disability rights in Australia
• WCAG 2.1 Quick Reference - Quick reference guide to WCAG guidelines
• WebAIM - Web accessibility resources and tools