Yakima Union Gospel Mission’s Accessibility Statement

Our commitment and approach to maintaining an accessible website.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) generally requires that companies who provide products and services to the public and who use a website to communicate the substance of those products and services, provide individuals with disabilities equal access to those products and services by means of their company website, unless doing so would fundamentally alter the nature of their programs, services, or activities or would impose an undue burden.

Who does this affect?

Many people with disabilities use “assistive technology” to enable them to use computers and access the Internet. Blind people who cannot see computer monitors may use screen readers – devices that speak the text that would normally appear on a monitor. People who have difficulty using a computer mouse can use voice recognition software to control their computers with verbal commands. People with other types of disabilities may use still other kinds of assistive technology. New and innovative assistive technologies are being introduced every day.

Yakima Union Gospel Mission is committed to:

• Web pages are written using a language called HTML (or “hypertext markup language”). HTML is a “markup language” that tells a computer program (called a “browser”) how information will appear or will be arranged on a computer screen. HTML tags are specific instructions understood by a web browser or screen reader. Check the HTML of all new web pages. Make sure that accessible elements are used, including alt tags, long descriptions, and captions, as needed.

• All images and graphics need to have an alt tag or long description.

• Use alt tags for image maps and for graphics associated with the image map so that a person using a screen reader will have access to the links and information.

• Some photos and images contain content that cannot be described with the limited text of an alt tag. Using a long description tag provides a way to have as much text as necessary to explain the image so it is accessible to a person using a screen reader but not visible on the web page.

• Text links do not require any additional information or description if the text clearly indicates what the link is supposed to do. Links such as “click here” may confuse a user.

• When tables with header and row identifiers are used to display information or data, the header and row information should be associated with each data cell by using HTML so a person using a screen reader can understand the information.

• A link with contact information provides a way for users to request accessible services or to make suggestions.

• If you use online forms and tables, make those elements accessible.

• Use tools specifically designed to assess and suggest updates for accessibility upgrades on the website.

This website’s conformance with official accessibility guidelines.

The website currently has [the conformance rating given in the last web accessibility audit] conformance to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0. Our most recent web accessibility audit for this website was on September 1, 2021.

Contact us if you require help or have questions.

We aim to provide the best assistance we can when it comes to those that require the aid of assistant readers. However, if you notice areas that need improvement on our website, please contact us directly and let us know. We value your feedback!

Phone: 509.248.4510

Email: info@yugm.org