Accessibility Statement

Papatoetoe & Otara Digital is committed to ensuring its online content is accessible to all individuals, irrespective of ability. Our editorial team understands the importance of providing equitable access to news and information for residents and interested parties in the Papatoetoe and Otara areas. This commitment extends to all aspects of our digital presence.

We continuously work to improve the usability of our website and adhere to relevant accessibility standards. Our goal is to meet or exceed the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 Level AA requirements, as published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). These guidelines define how to make web content more accessible for people with disabilities.

Specific Accessibility Measures

Our development practices incorporate several measures designed to enhance digital accessibility. These are implemented during content creation and platform maintenance.

• Semantic HTML: We use appropriate HTML elements to structure our content logically. Headings, lists, and paragraphs are marked up correctly, which aids navigation and understanding for assistive technologies.
• Alternative Text for Images: All relevant images and non-text elements on our site include descriptive alternative text. This ensures that screen reader users can comprehend the visual information presented.
• Keyboard Navigation: Our website is designed to be fully navigable using only a keyboard. Users can access all interactive elements, such as links and menu items, without needing a mouse.
• Color Contrast: We maintain sufficient color contrast ratios between text and background elements. This helps users with visual impairments read our content more easily.
• Resizable Text: Users can adjust text size through their browser settings without loss of functionality or content degradation. This accommodates various visual needs.
• Screen Reader Compatibility: We regularly test our website with popular screen readers to identify and address potential barriers. This includes ensuring proper announcement of dynamic content and forms.
• Clear Link Text: All hyperlinks are descriptive and indicate their destination to users. This avoids ambiguous phrases like "click here."
• Consistent Navigation: The navigation structure across our website remains consistent, providing a predictable user experience. This reduces cognitive load for all users.

Third-Party Content Considerations

Papatoetoe & Otara Digital may include content from third-party sources or link to external websites. While we strive to select accessible third-party partners, we cannot guarantee the accessibility of content hosted on external platforms not under our direct control.

We encourage users to report any accessibility issues encountered with third-party embedded content or linked sites to us directly. We will investigate and attempt to find accessible alternatives or contact the third party as appropriate.

Reporting Accessibility Issues

We are continuously working to improve the accessibility of our platform. If you encounter any accessibility barriers while using the Papatoetoe & Otara Digital website, please inform us. Your feedback is valuable in helping us resolve issues.

Please send a detailed description of the difficulty you experienced, including the specific web page or content, to legal@podigital.co.nz. Our team will review your report promptly and take appropriate action.

When reporting an issue, providing details such as the type of assistive technology you are using (e.g., screen reader name, browser version) can greatly assist our investigation.

Known Limitations

Despite our efforts, some areas of accessibility may still require improvement. For instance, some older archived multimedia content may not fully meet current WCAG 2.2 AA standards for captions or audio descriptions. We are working on a plan to address these legacy items.

Our development team actively monitors new accessibility technologies and best practices to incorporate them into our platform. We aim for continuous improvement rather than a static compliance state.

Review Schedule

This accessibility statement will undergo a formal review periodically, at least once every twelve months, or as development resources allow. Our last review was conducted in May 2024.

We will update the statement to reflect any changes in our accessibility features or internal policies. Our dedication to digital accessibility is an ongoing process, evolving with technology and user needs.

The accessibility policy and its implementation are overseen by the editorial and technical teams at Papatoetoe & Otara Digital. This ensures that reported issues are addressed with appropriate urgency and expertise.

About This Publication

This publication is owned and operated by APG, an independent digital media company.