Accessibility Statement

Last updated: August 5, 2026

Our Commitment

BC Emergency Directory is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people with disabilities. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone and applying relevant accessibility standards.

Standards Compliance

We aim to conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA guidelines. Our target is full compliance with the Accessible Canada Act and provincial accessibility requirements.

Accessibility Features

  • Semantic HTML: Proper heading hierarchy, landmarks, and ARIA labels
  • Keyboard Navigation: All interactive elements accessible via keyboard
  • Focus Indicators: Visible focus styles on all interactive elements
  • Color Contrast: Minimum 4.5:1 ratio for text, 3:1 for UI components
  • Text Scaling: Supports 200% zoom without loss of functionality
  • Alt Text: Descriptive alt text for all informative images
  • Form Labels: All form inputs have associated labels
  • Error Handling: Clear error messages with suggestions
  • Skip Links: Skip to main content link for keyboard users
  • Reduced Motion: Respects prefers-reduced-motion

Emergency-Specific Accessibility

Given our emergency focus, we prioritize:

  • Large Touch Targets: Minimum 48x48px for call buttons
  • High Contrast Mode: Emergency buttons exceed contrast requirements
  • Clear Visual Hierarchy: Critical actions (call buttons) are unmistakable
  • Minimal Cognitive Load: Simple, direct language in emergency contexts

Known Limitations

  • Third-party embedded content (maps, reviews) may not fully meet our standards
  • Some business-provided images may lack alt text
  • Real-time data updates may cause brief screen reader announcements

Testing & Validation

We test with:

  • Automated tools (axe-core, Lighthouse)
  • Manual keyboard navigation testing
  • Screen readers (NVDA, VoiceOver, JAWS)
  • Color contrast analyzers
  • Zoom/magnification testing up to 400%

Feedback & Support

If you encounter accessibility barriers or have suggestions:

  • Email: [email protected]
  • We aim to respond within 2 business days
  • We prioritize fixes that affect emergency access

Ongoing Efforts

Accessibility is an ongoing process. We regularly audit, fix issues, and improve based on user feedback and evolving standards.