Our Commitment to Accessibility
Coastalya is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people of all abilities. We believe that everyone should have equal access to information and functionality on our website, regardless of their individual capabilities or the technologies they use.
Our Core Principles
Universal Design
We design for the widest range of users from the start
Inclusive Experience
Everyone deserves equal access to our services
Continuous Improvement
We regularly update and enhance accessibility features
Standards & Compliance
WCAG 2.1 Level AA Compliance
Our website is designed to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards. These guidelines are organized around four main principles:
Perceivable
Information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive.
- Alternative text for images
- Sufficient color contrast ratios
- Resizable text up to 200%
- Captions for video content
Operable
User interface components and navigation must be operable by all users.
- Full keyboard navigation support
- No seizure-inducing content
- Sufficient time for reading content
- Skip navigation options
Understandable
Information and operation of user interface must be understandable.
- Clear, simple language
- Consistent navigation patterns
- Form error identification
- Predictable functionality
Robust
Content must be robust enough for interpretation by assistive technologies.
- Valid HTML markup
- Compatible with screen readers
- Semantic HTML structure
- Proper ARIA labels
Additional Standards
We also consider guidelines from:
- AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act): Ontario's accessibility legislation
- Section 508: US federal accessibility standards
- EN 301 549: European accessibility standard
Accessibility Features
Navigation & Structure
- Skip Links: Jump directly to main content
- Consistent Layout: Predictable page structure throughout
- Logical Heading Order: Proper H1-H6 hierarchy
- Breadcrumb Navigation: Clear location indicators
- Focus Indicators: Visible keyboard focus outlines
Visual Design
- High Contrast: 4.5:1 minimum contrast ratio
- Scalable Text: Zoom up to 200% without horizontal scrolling
- Color Independence: Information not conveyed by color alone
- Clear Typography: Readable fonts and appropriate sizing
- Reduced Motion: Respects user preferences for animation
Interactive Elements
- Keyboard Navigation: All functionality accessible via keyboard
- Form Labels: Clear, descriptive form field labels
- Error Messages: Clear identification and correction guidance
- Link Context: Descriptive link text and purposes
- Button Descriptions: Clear action descriptions
Media & Content
- Alternative Text: Descriptive alt text for all images
- Video Captions: Closed captions for video content
- Audio Descriptions: Available for complex visual content
- Document Formats: Accessible PDFs and documents
- Plain Language: Clear, concise content writing
Assistive Technology Support
Our website is designed to work with a wide range of assistive technologies:
Screen Readers
- NVDA (Windows)
- JAWS (Windows)
- VoiceOver (macOS/iOS)
- TalkBack (Android)
- Orca (Linux)
Input Devices
- Keyboard-only navigation
- Switch navigation
- Voice control software
- Eye-tracking devices
- Alternative keyboards
Visual Aids
- Screen magnification software
- High contrast displays
- Custom CSS stylesheets
- Browser zoom functionality
- Color adjustment tools
Testing & Validation
Our Testing Process
We employ multiple testing methods to ensure accessibility:
- Automated Testing: Regular scans using axe-core and WAVE tools
- Manual Testing: Keyboard navigation and screen reader testing
- User Testing: Feedback from users with disabilities
- Code Review: Accessibility-focused development reviews
- Third-party Audits: Professional accessibility assessments
Validation Tools
We regularly test our website using:
Current Limitations
While we strive for full accessibility, we acknowledge some current limitations:
Third-party Content
Some embedded content from external providers may not meet our accessibility standards. We work with vendors to improve these integrations.
Legacy Media
Older video content may lack captions or audio descriptions. We are gradually updating our media library.
Complex Interactions
Some interactive features like the route visualizer may require additional navigation options for screen reader users.
Our Commitment: We are actively working to address these limitations and will continue to improve accessibility across all aspects of our website.
Accessibility Feedback & Support
We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of our website. If you encounter any barriers or have suggestions for improvement, please contact us:
Phone
+1 519-725-8076
Ask for accessibility support
Accessibility Coordinator
Coastalya
235 Queens Quay W
Toronto, ON, Canada
What to Include in Your Feedback
- The web page or content where you encountered the issue
- A description of the accessibility barrier
- Your contact information (if you'd like a response)
- The assistive technology you were using (if applicable)
- Your browser and operating system
Response Time: We aim to respond to accessibility feedback within 3 business days and will work to resolve issues as quickly as possible.
Alternative Formats
If you need information from our website in an alternative format, we can provide:
- Large print documents
- Audio recordings of written content
- Braille materials (with advance notice)
- Plain text versions of web pages
- Simplified summaries of complex information
Contact our accessibility team to request alternative formats at no additional cost.
Updates & Maintenance
This accessibility statement is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect our current practices and any changes to our website.
Last Updated: July 24, 2025
Next Review: July 15, 2025
Website Launch: July 10, 2025
Ongoing Improvements
We continuously work to improve accessibility through:
- Regular accessibility audits and testing
- Staff training on accessibility best practices
- User feedback integration
- Technology updates and improvements
- Collaboration with accessibility experts