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Website Accessibility Statement

Our Commitment to Accessibility
The Town of Shaftsbury is committed to ensuring that our official municipal website, shaftsburyvt.gov, is accessible and usable by all residents, businesses, visitors, and members of the public, including individuals with disabilities.

We believe everyone should have equal access to municipal information, public notices, meeting schedules, government documents, online services, and opportunities for civic participation.

Website accessibility is an ongoing responsibility. The Town continually strives to improve the accessibility and usability of its website to ensure that all individuals can obtain the information and services they need.

Accessibility Standards and ADA Compliance
The Town of Shaftsbury is committed to making its website accessible to all individuals, including people with disabilities.

We strive to follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA, established by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), consistent with the technical accessibility standards adopted by the U.S. Department of Justice under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

These guidelines are designed to improve accessibility for individuals with a wide range of disabilities, including visual, auditory, physical, cognitive, and neurological disabilities.

The Town recognizes that accessibility is an ongoing process. Although we work toward meeting these standards, some website content or functionality may not yet fully satisfy every accessibility requirement.

We remain committed to identifying accessibility barriers, implementing improvements, and providing reasonable assistance to individuals who encounter difficulties accessing our online information or services.

Accessibility Tools - Powered by UserWay
To further support website accessibility, the Town of Shaftsbury utilizes the UserWay Accessibility Widget, which provides additional tools to help visitors customize their browsing experience according to their individual needs.

The accessibility widget can be accessed by selecting the accessibility icon displayed on our website. in the lower left hand corner of the screen. This tool allows visitors to adjust visual settings, text display, and other features to enhance accessibility.

Visitors will be able to:

• Adjust Text Size: Enlarge text to improve readability.
• Modify Contrast and Colors: Adjust visual settings to make website content easier to distinguish.
• Improve Text Readability: Adjust spacing and use alternative text-display options.
• Highlight Links: Make website links easier to identify and navigate.
• Enlarge the Cursor: Increase cursor visibility for easier navigation.
• Pause Animations: Reduce motion and visual distractions where supported.
• Use Reading Assistance: Access available tools designed to support reading and comprehension.
• Customize Display Preferences: Personalize the website's appearance to accommodate individual accessibility needs.

These tools are intended to enhance the user experience and supplement the Town's ongoing accessibility efforts.

For more information, visit UserWay Accessibility Services.

Accessible Website Design and Development
The Town of Shaftsbury considers accessibility an important part of its website development, content management, and ongoing maintenance.

Our accessibility efforts include:

• Organizing website content using meaningful headings and logical page structures.
• Providing descriptive alternative text for informational images.
• Supporting keyboard navigation and compatibility with assistive technologies.
• Maintaining readable typography and appropriate color contrast.
• Using descriptive links that clearly identify their purpose or destination.
• Developing responsive pages that accommodate desktop computers, tablets, and mobile devices.
• Providing accessible form labels, instructions, and navigation elements.
• Using recognized web development standards and accessibility best practices.
• Reviewing website content and functionality as updates and improvements are made.

We recognize that accessibility extends beyond visual presentation and includes the underlying structure, navigation, functionality, and usability of the website.

Documents, Forms, and Public Records

The Town's website provides access to municipal documents, public notices, meeting agendas, minutes, reports, forms, policies, and other materials.

Some documents, particularly older records, scanned materials, and files provided by outside organizations, may not be fully accessible to individuals using screen readers or other assistive technologies.

The Town is committed to improving the accessibility of electronic documents and making municipal information available to all members of the public.

If you encounter a document or form that is difficult to access, please contact the Town. We will work with you to provide the requested information in an accessible alternative format whenever possible.

Third-Party Websites and Services
Our website may contain links to external websites, applications, and online services operated by third parties.

These resources may include government agencies, public information services, document portals, and other organizations that provide information relevant to Shaftsbury residents.

Although we encourage accessibility across all online services, the Town does not directly control the design, content, or accessibility features of external websites.

If you experience difficulty accessing a third-party service linked from our website, please contact us. We will make reasonable efforts to assist you in obtaining the information or municipal service you need.

Reporting Accessibility Issues and Requesting Assistance
The Town of Shaftsbury welcomes feedback regarding the accessibility and usability of our website. If you encounter an accessibility barrier, experience difficulty navigating a webpage, cannot access a document, or need assistance using an online municipal service, we encourage you to contact us. When reporting an accessibility concern, please provide as much of the following information as possible:

• The webpage address (URL) where the issue occurred.
• A brief description of the difficulty you experienced.
• The document, information, or service you were attempting to access.
• Your preferred method of contact, if you would like a response.

Providing this information is helpful but is not required to request accessibility assistance.

Town of Shaftsbury
Municipal Offices
Jennifer Holley, Operations Coordinator
677 VT Route 7A
Shaftsbury, VT 05262
Telephone: (802) 442-4038
Website: shaftsburyvt.gov

We will make reasonable efforts to respond to accessibility concerns in a timely manner, provide appropriate assistance, and address identified barriers.

Continuous Accessibility Improvements
The Town of Shaftsbury recognizes that website accessibility is an ongoing process rather than a one-time achievement.

As technology, accessibility standards, and municipal services evolve, we will continue working to improve the accessibility of our website and the digital experience we provide to the public.

Our efforts may include reviewing website functionality, improving electronic documents, addressing reported accessibility issues, and incorporating accessibility considerations into future website development.

We appreciate the feedback and assistance of our residents and visitors as we work toward making our municipal website more accessible to everyone.

Website Privacy
The Town of Shaftsbury respects the privacy of individuals who visit and use our website.

For information regarding website data collection, privacy practices, and related policies, please review our Website Privacy Policy.