Accessibility statement: “SelfStorageUnitsNearby.com” is designed to be accessible to and usable by people with and without disabilities.
To understand what expectations & federal regulations on accessibility for websites are, please visit Guidance on Web Accessibility and the ADA.
If you have an accessibility or usability issue while navigating this site, please reach out to us.
Why an Accessibility Statement is Important
Ensuring equal access to information for people with disabilities is crucial, and website accessibility plays a pivotal role in achieving this goal. Just like physical barriers can exclude individuals, inaccessible web content can have the same effect. The Department of Justice recognizes the significance of web accessibility and has made it a priority. In today’s digital age, where numerous services have transitioned online, websites have become indispensable for various aspects of daily life. Accessing voting information, finding up-to-date health and safety resources, and checking mass transit schedules and fares now heavily rely on website accessibility.
People with disabilities adopt diverse methods to navigate the web. Individuals who are blind use screen readers, devices that audibly convey the text displayed on a screen. Deaf or hard of hearing individuals depend on captioning, while those with motor disabilities affecting their ability to use a mouse may utilize voice recognition software to control their devices through verbal commands.
The design and structure of websites can create unnecessary barriers that hinder people with disabilities from effectively using them, much like physical barriers prevent entry into buildings. These web-based obstacles restrict individuals from accessing information and programs offered by businesses and state or local governments. However, these barriers can be mitigated or eliminated to ensure website accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
Examples of Barriers to Website Accessibility
Insufficient color contrast:
Insufficient contrast between text and background poses challenges for individuals with limited vision or color blindness to read the content. For instance, using light gray text on a light-colored background would be difficult to discern.
Reliance on color for information:
Conveying information solely through color cues excludes individuals with color blindness who cannot distinguish certain colors. Moreover, screen readers do not convey color information, preventing individuals who are blind from understanding color-dependent content. For example, using red text alone to indicate mandatory form fields would be inaccessible to a blind user.
Lack of text alternatives (alt text) for images:
Without text alternatives, individuals who are blind cannot comprehend the content and purpose of images, such as pictures, illustrations, and charts. Text alternatives serve to convey the meaning of an image.
Absence of captions in videos:
Videos lacking captions make it challenging for individuals with hearing disabilities to understand the conveyed information.
Inaccessible online forms:
Forms that lack accessibility features, such as screen reader-friendly labels (e.g., “credit card number”), clear instructions, and error indicators (e.g., alerts for missing or incorrect fields), hinder individuals with disabilities from accurately completing and submitting forms.
Lack of keyboard navigation:
Websites that solely support mouse or trackpad navigation prevent individuals with disabilities who rely on alternative input devices from accessing web content.