Accessibility Statement

Stellaris Academy is committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of technology or ability. We are actively working to increase the accessibility and usability of our website and in doing so adhere to many of the available standards and guidelines.

Our Commitment to Accessibility

We strive to ensure our online content and resources are accessible to individuals with disabilities. This commitment aligns with our core values of inclusivity and equitable access to education. We are continuously improving the user experience for everyone and applying the relevant accessibility standards. To ensure this, Stellaris Academy has taken the following measures:

• Consistently reviewing our website against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA.
• Employing accessible design principles throughout our development process.
• Providing ongoing training for our staff on accessibility best practices.
• Soliciting feedback from users with disabilities to identify areas for improvement.

Accessibility Features

We have implemented several features to enhance the accessibility of our website:

• Alternative Text: All images and non-text content have descriptive alternative text, ensuring screen readers can convey the content's meaning.
• Keyboard Navigation: Our website is fully navigable using a keyboard, enabling users who cannot use a mouse to access all content.
• Semantic HTML: We use semantic HTML elements to structure our content logically, improving readability and navigation for assistive technologies.
• Color Contrast: We have ensured sufficient color contrast between text and background colors to meet WCAG guidelines, making it easier for users with low vision to read our content.
• Resizable Text: Users can increase or decrease the text size without losing content or functionality, accommodating different visual preferences.
• Clear and Consistent Navigation: Our website has a clear and consistent navigation structure, making it easy for users to find the information they need.
• Form Accessibility: All forms are designed with clear labels and instructions, making them accessible to users with disabilities. Error messages are also clear and helpful.
• Video Captions and Transcripts: All video content includes accurate captions and transcripts, enabling users who are deaf or hard of hearing to access the audio information.
• ARIA Attributes: We use ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes to provide additional information to assistive technologies, enhancing the accessibility of interactive elements.

Specific Accessibility Initiatives

Here are some specific initiatives we've undertaken to enhance accessibility:

1. Font Selection: We utilize the Inter font, known for its legibility and clarity across various devices and screen resolutions. The font is implemented using the @font-face rule, ensuring it's rendered correctly even when users have custom font settings.
2. Color Palette: Our dark theme is designed with carefully chosen colors that provide sufficient contrast while minimizing eye strain. The color scheme is based on WCAG guidelines, ensuring text remains readable for users with visual impairments.
3. Keyboard Focus Indicators: We've implemented custom focus indicators that are highly visible and clearly delineate the currently focused element. This helps keyboard users navigate the site more efficiently.
4. Skip Navigation Link: A "Skip to Content" link is provided at the top of each page, allowing keyboard users to bypass the navigation menu and go directly to the main content.
5. Form Validation: Our forms include client-side validation to provide immediate feedback to users, helping them correct errors before submitting the form. This ensures forms are easy to complete for everyone, including users with disabilities.
6. Image Optimization: We optimize images for the web to reduce file sizes and improve page load times. This benefits users with slow internet connections and those using mobile devices.

Accessibility Standards Compliance

Stellaris Academy adheres to the following accessibility standards:

• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG): We strive to conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.
• Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act: We aim to comply with the requirements of Section 508, ensuring federal agencies and their contractors provide accessible information technology.

Feedback and Contact Information

We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of our website. If you encounter any accessibility barriers or have suggestions for improvement, please contact us. Your input helps us make our site more accessible for everyone.

You can reach us at:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (212) 555-8000
• Address: Accessibility Department, Stellaris Academy, 123 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10016

Accessibility Audit

Stellaris Academy conducts regular accessibility audits to identify and address potential accessibility issues. Our most recent audit was completed on October 26, 2024, by

Access Insights Inc.

, a leading accessibility consulting firm based in Manhattan. The audit included automated testing, manual testing, and user testing with individuals with disabilities.

The audit findings were used to develop a remediation plan, which we are actively implementing to address any identified accessibility issues. We are committed to continuously monitoring our website and making ongoing improvements to ensure it remains accessible to everyone.

Exceptions

While we strive to make all content on our website accessible, there may be some exceptions. For example, legacy content or third-party plugins may not fully conform to our accessibility standards. We are working to address these exceptions as quickly as possible.

Accessibility Support Team

Our dedicated accessibility support team is available to assist users with disabilities. The team is composed of:

• Maria Hernandez: Accessibility Coordinator
• David Chen: Web Developer specializing in accessibility
• Anya Petrova: UX/UI Designer with expertise in accessible design

The team works collaboratively to ensure our website meets the needs of all users.

Alternative Formats

If you require content from our website in an alternative format, such as large print or Braille, please contact us. We will do our best to provide the information in a format that meets your needs.

Training and Resources

We provide ongoing training and resources to our staff on accessibility best practices. This ensures our content creators and developers are knowledgeable about accessibility requirements and can create accessible content from the outset. Resources include:

• Internal accessibility guidelines
• Regular workshops and seminars
• Access to assistive technology for testing and evaluation

Browser Compatibility

Our website is designed to be compatible with a wide range of browsers and assistive technologies, including:

• Chrome
• Firefox
• Safari
• Microsoft Edge
• Screen readers such as JAWS and NVDA

We regularly test our website with these browsers and assistive technologies to ensure compatibility.

Third-Party Content

Our website may include content provided by third parties, such as videos, social media feeds, and embedded documents. We are not responsible for the accessibility of this third-party content. However, we encourage third-party providers to make their content accessible and will choose providers who are committed to accessibility whenever possible.

Legal Compliance

Stellaris Academy is committed to complying with all applicable accessibility laws and regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We will continue to monitor and update our accessibility efforts to ensure we meet or exceed legal requirements.

Accessibility Conformance Report

This accessibility statement follows the format defined in the WCAG Conformance Claim standard.