If you visit our website regularly, you may notice some recent construction. Advocates across the country are raising awareness about the importance of “accessible” websites, and we’re in the process of making these critical updates.
In Oregon, more than 600,000 people are living with disabilities, or just over 15% of our population, according to the 2015 Disability Status Report by Cornell University Yang Tan Institute on Employment and Disability. When technology is not designed properly, community members experiencing disabilities such as sensory impairments and mobility impairments may have trouble accessing important information.
We increased the contrast on our website to help those experiencing visual impairments. We added alternative descriptions to non-text elements for those using text-to-speech tools. Moving ahead, we will improve site navigation so users can move through the site easily without a mouse. We are also scanning content across the site to ensure its accessibility, and training those who create site content.
As an organization, we believe we are living up to our vision when we create an inclusive, barrier-free environment in which everyone participates and fully benefits. We commit to continuously learning and improving how we deliver accessible resources on our website. If you have any concerns, please reach out to Kelsey Cardwell, the strategic communications officer, or visit the accessibility page on our website.
