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Accessibility Statement

We are committed to ensuring that the information available on the City of Oakland website is accessible to everyone.

Posted: December 13th, 2021 4:53 PM

Last Updated: January 10th, 2024 5:50 PM

Our goal is to deliver a web experience that achieves “Level AA” conformance according to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines v2.1 (WCAG 2.1).

To ensure a seamless user experience for all our users, our current efforts are focused on delivering digital experiences that will work for people with auditory, cognitive, neurological, physical, speech, and visual disabilities. This is a journey we will forever be committed to and continuously improve on, as we value each person that takes the time to visit our website.

How we support accessibility

Through design and testing, we use strive to meet an evolving standard. Currently our accessibility checklist includes:

  • Users should be able to navigate using only the keyboard.
  • Images should have alternative text.
  • Text should meet the WCAG 2.0 AA minimum color contrast ratio.
  • Headings should have a logical reading order.
  • Form elements should be associated with instructions and errors.

Parts of this website are not fully accessible

For example:

  • Some heading elements are not consistent.
  • Some PDF documents are not accessible.
  • Some videos do not have sufficient closed captions.
  • Some third party software and embeds are not accessible.
  • Some form elements are not associated with labels and instructions.

How we test for accessibility

We use the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 level AA to test how accessible the website is.

We used the WebAIM Browser Plugin along with keyboard navigation testing to conduct a browser based audit of the main website templates and most trafficked pages. We have begun to adopt this process for all ongoing website development.

What we are doing to improve

We are currently recruiting accessibility partners to conduct a deeper audit of the website and review of major third party tools and plugins.

In the near future, we will be conducting ongoing user testing with people with disabilities to ensure the website is accessible to people with visual, hearing and cognitive disabilities.

Feedback

Should you have any issues with oaklandca.gov, please let us know. It would be helpful if you can be as specific as possible when describing the information, you seek or the problem you encountered.

Please let us know if you encounter accessibility barriers.

Americans with Disabilities Act Policies

Find out more about the application of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and related disability access requirements to all city programs, activities, and services, including specific departmental or program responsibilities.

Read about the Americans with Disabilities Act in the City of Oakland