Accessibility
Built to work for every neighbor
This site targets WCAG 2.1 Level AA, the standard required of local governments under the Americans with Disabilities Act. City information belongs to everyone, so the site has to work for everyone: screen reader users, keyboard users, and anyone on an old phone.
How this site is built for accessibility
Every chart is also a table
Each chart has a Chart | Table switch, and screen readers always get the full table. Filtered chart, filtered table. Same numbers, always.
Works without a mouse
A skip link opens every page. Arrow keys walk each chart bar by bar, Enter and Space filter, Escape closes anything. Even the neighborhood map is keyboard-friendly.
Numbers you can see
Values sit on the page, not behind a hover. Bars show their numbers, lines label their endpoints, budgets print their dollars.
Color never works alone
Chart lines pair color with dashes and marker shapes. Over-budget flags come with words. Every color combination meets contrast standards.
Motion is optional
Turn on reduced motion, in your device settings or our tools button, and every animation stops. Nothing flashes or auto-plays.
Plain language
We write the way we would explain it across a counter at City Hall. Terms like adopted budget get a plain explanation right next to the chart.
Changes are announced
When you filter a chart or download a file, screen readers hear what happened. No silent updates.
Data leaves with you
CSV, Excel, and JSON downloads are built in your browser and match exactly what you filtered on screen.
How we test
- Automated: every page runs automated accessibility checks with zero serious or critical problems allowed before anything is published.
- Keyboard walkthroughs: scripted tests tab through navigation, filters, charts, tables, and downloads on every update.
- Real assistive technology: manual checks with VoiceOver and NVDA, 200% zoom, Windows High Contrast, and reduced motion.
- Honest limits: a machine cannot judge whether a description is truly clear. People review that, and your reports below tell us what we missed.
Reading preferences
The floating tools button in the bottom corner of every page offers larger text, high contrast, reduced motion, and link highlighting. Your choices stay on this device only.
Something not working for you?
Tell us. We aim to respond within two business days and to fix confirmed barriers within ten. You can also call us at (555) 011-1798 or email access@sterlingfallsva.gov.