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Accessibility

Inclusion is an important principle in our work. We want everyone who visits our site to find it welcoming and straightforward to use. In particular we are mindful of:
 

  • Our use of language: we have tried to keep our language straightforward and as jargon-free as possible (bearing in mind that we deal in new technologies and there is a lot of jargon about!)
     

  • The look and feel of the site: we have chosen clean, bright colours with good contrast, with an easy-to-read font against a white background.
     

  • Clear information pathways: we endeavour to keep navigation routes simple and intuitive.
     

Much of our work is in the field of digital mapping where the multi-layered, dynamic character of online maps presents particular challenges.
 

Our digital maps incorporate:

 

  • Easy alternative route-finding: digital maps offer powerful scope for inclusive wayfinding – indeed this was an early motivation in their adoption. Wheelchair users and mobility-restricted walkers should find that they are able to navigate easily across our maps, via the shortest available step-free routes, via indoor and outdoor spaces.
     

  • Meaningful colour and contrast: our maps generally adopt the client's own brand or we can advise, but always with an emphasis on clean, bright colours. We are reviewing our colour choices going forwards to ensure that our map colour schemes achieve sufficient contrast to enable meaningful use.
     

  • Scalable text size: text is zoomable on our maps to a maximum of 10-16 pixels (depending on location size).
     

  • Highlighted accessibility features: e.g. the location of accessible parking spaces, accessible toilets and Changing Places facilities, and also the existence of steps and staircases wherever these exist (as an immediate visual aid in addition the availability of dynamic routing to avoid such access obstacles).  

  • PDF print-outs of route directions: a navigational feature of our maps is the ability to print screen sections supported by text-based directions, which may particularly benefit users with cognitive disabilities and – in future – users with sight impairments. 
     

  • User feedback: our maps have a user interface with built-in feedback features, enabling users to communicate map-based experiences directly.


Recommended Screen Readers 

 
Wix sites are optimized for the following (most commonly used) screen readers: 
 

Windows + Firefox or Chrome: NVDA (Free reader) 

Mac + Safari: Voiceover (Built-in reader) 

Android + Chrome: Talkback (Built-in reader) 

iOS + Safari: Voiceover (Built-in reader) 

 

Review and improvement 


In relation both our website and our maps, we expect to be regularly engaged in efforts to improve the user experience and accessibility of our website and products over time, both in response to published guidance and your feedback. In working to ensure this, we are guided by the World Wide Web Consortium’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0. 
 

Let us know what you think


We welcome your feedback. If you have any comments on how we might improve the accessibility of our SmartNE website or maps we are keen to hear from you. Please email us at info@smartne.com
 

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