Accessibility
Health information only helps if everyone can use it
This site targets WCAG 2.1 Level AA, the standard required of local governments under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. During an emergency, this site may be how you learn what to do, so it has to work for every neighbor: screen reader users, keyboard users, and anyone on an old phone with one bar of signal.
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 point by point, Enter and Space filter, Escape closes anything. Even the district 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, and every week of an epi curve reads out loud.
Color never works alone
Chart lines pair color with dashes and marker shapes. Up and down arrows 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 for an 8th-grade reading level, because clear beats clever when your health is involved. Technical terms get a plain explanation right next to them.
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) 011-1911 or email access@caldwellcountyhealth.gov.