The Christchurch Chronicle is committed to ensuring its digital content is accessible to all users. This commitment extends to individuals with disabilities, in accordance with global accessibility standards.
Our objective is to provide an inclusive user experience across all sections of our platform. We continually work to improve accessibility for everyone, understanding that digital access is fundamental.
This statement outlines the measures implemented to achieve and maintain our accessibility goals. It also provides information on how users can report accessibility barriers encountered while using our platform.
We aim to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 at Level AA. These guidelines are developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and cover a wide range of recommendations for making web content more accessible.
Meeting WCAG 2.2 Level AA involves addressing various criteria, focusing on perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust content. Our editorial and technical teams integrate these principles into our content creation and platform development processes.
This commitment is regularly reviewed to ensure ongoing compliance. We monitor advancements in accessibility technology and adopt best practices as they evolve.
The Christchurch Chronicle has implemented multiple features and practices to enhance accessibility for its users. These measures are integrated into the design and functionality of our website.
Our editorial team utilizes semantic HTML to structure content logically. This practice helps assistive technologies, such as screen readers, interpret and present information effectively.
Alternative text descriptions are provided for all meaningful images and graphics. This ensures that users who cannot see visual content still receive relevant information.
Keyboard navigation is fully supported across the website. All interactive elements can be accessed and operated using only a keyboard, providing an alternative to mouse interaction.
Color contrast ratios meet WCAG 2.2 AA standards. This ensures that text and visual elements are sufficiently distinct from their backgrounds, aiding readability for users with various visual impairments.
The platform is designed to be fully responsive, adapting its layout and content presentation across different devices and screen sizes. This flexibility supports diverse user needs and preferences.
Ongoing testing with screen reader software, including common applications used in New Zealand, is conducted. This helps identify and resolve potential barriers that screen reader users might encounter.
Forms on our website are clearly labeled and structured for ease of use. Error messages are explicit and provide guidance on how to correct input, improving the experience for all users.
Font sizes are adjustable within browser settings, allowing users to customize their reading experience. Line spacing and paragraph breaks are also optimized for readability.
Our video content, when available, includes captions and transcripts. This provides access to audio information for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Focus indicators are consistently visible when navigating with a keyboard. This helps users understand their current position on the page.
All links are clearly descriptive, indicating their purpose or destination. This helps users decide whether to activate a link, particularly those relying on screen readers.
Headings are used hierarchically and logically to organize content. This structure assists users in understanding the information architecture of each page.
Content is written in clear, concise language. This approach aims to make information understandable for a broad audience, including those with cognitive disabilities.
The website avoids automatic content carousels or sliders that cannot be paused or stopped by the user. Such elements can pose challenges for some users.
We ensure that time-based media controls are always present and accessible. Users can pause, stop, or adjust the volume of any audio or video content.
While we strive for comprehensive accessibility, some limitations may exist. These are typically related to third-party content or complex interactive elements.
Occasionally, some older archived articles or embedded content from external providers may not fully meet current accessibility standards. Our technical team is working to address these legacy issues systematically.
We acknowledge that certain complex data visualizations or interactive maps present unique accessibility challenges. We are exploring alternative formats and descriptive content for these elements.
Third-party integrated advertising or social media feeds, which are beyond our direct control, might not always adhere to our strict accessibility guidelines. We encourage these providers to improve their accessibility.
The Christchurch Chronicle encourages users to report any accessibility barriers they encounter. Your feedback is crucial for our continuous improvement process.
If you experience any difficulty accessing content on our website, or have suggestions for improvement, please contact us directly.
Please send detailed information regarding the issue to legal@christchurchchronicle.co.nz. Include the page URL, a description of the problem, and any assistive technologies you are using.
Our legal and technical teams will review your report promptly. We will work to resolve identified issues and respond to your inquiry in a timely manner.
We aim to address all reported accessibility concerns systematically and transparently. Your input helps us maintain a high standard of digital inclusion.
Our platform may include content from third-party sources, such as video hosting platforms or advertising networks. While we strive to select accessible third-party providers, we cannot guarantee the accessibility of all external content.
When embedding external content, we attempt to use the most accessible integration methods available. We encourage third-party providers to develop and maintain accessible products and services.
If you experience accessibility issues with third-party content embedded on our site, please report them to us. We will evaluate if alternative solutions or direct engagement with the third party is possible.
This Accessibility Statement and the overall accessibility of the Christchurch Chronicle website are reviewed regularly. A formal audit is conducted at least annually to assess compliance with WCAG 2.2 AA standards.
Our technical team performs ongoing internal checks and user tests to identify and rectify accessibility issues. New features and content are assessed for accessibility prior to deployment.
The date of the last update to this statement is provided at the bottom of the page. This reflects our commitment to transparency regarding our accessibility efforts.
This statement was last updated on 12 June 2024.
This publication is owned and operated by APG, an independent digital media company.