Accessibility Statement for Mzansi Flavours
At Mzansi Flavours, we are committed to ensuring that our website is accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities. We strive to provide a website that is user-friendly and inclusive, regardless of technology or ability.
Our Commitment to Accessibility
We are continuously working to improve the accessibility of our website and have implemented various measures to achieve this goal. Our efforts are guided by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA, an internationally recognized standard for web accessibility.
Accessibility Features
- Semantic HTML: We use semantic HTML elements to structure our content, making it easier for screen readers and other assistive technologies to understand the layout and organization of our pages.
- Alternative Text for Images: All images on our website include descriptive alternative text (alt attributes). This allows users who are unable to see the images to understand their content and purpose. For example, an image of boerewors on a braai will have the alt text: "Boerewors sizzling on a traditional South African braai." A photo of bobotie will include the alt text: "Golden-brown bobotie, a classic South African dish, served in a baking dish."
- Keyboard Navigation: Our website is fully navigable using a keyboard. Users can easily access all interactive elements, such as links, buttons, and forms, without relying on a mouse.
- Color Contrast: We have carefully selected color combinations to ensure sufficient contrast between text and background. This helps users with low vision or color blindness to read our content more easily. We adhere to a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text, as specified by WCAG 2.1.
- Resizable Text: Users can easily resize the text on our website using their browser settings. This allows individuals with low vision to increase the text size to a comfortable reading level.
- Clear and Consistent Navigation: Our website features a clear and consistent navigation structure. This helps users to easily find the information they are looking for.
- Forms Accessibility: All forms on our website are designed to be accessible, with clear labels and instructions. We also provide error messages that are easy to understand and provide guidance on how to correct any mistakes.
- Video Captions and Transcripts: All videos on our website include captions and transcripts. This ensures that users who are deaf or hard of hearing can access the audio content.
- ARIA Attributes: We use ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes to provide additional information to assistive technologies. This helps to improve the accessibility of complex web elements.
- Responsive Design: Our website is designed to be responsive, meaning it adapts to different screen sizes and devices. This ensures that users can access our content on desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.
- Dark Mode: We offer a dark mode option for users who prefer a darker color scheme. This can improve readability and reduce eye strain, especially in low-light conditions. The dark mode is accessible through a toggle button located in the top right corner of the screen.
WCAG Compliance
We are committed to complying with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA. These guidelines provide a comprehensive set of recommendations for making web content more accessible. Our website is regularly reviewed and tested to ensure that it meets these standards. We use a combination of automated testing tools and manual reviews to identify and address any accessibility issues.
Our development team, led by Thando Dlamini, has been trained on accessibility best practices and is dedicated to implementing accessibility features in all of our website updates and new content. We also work with accessibility consultants, such as those at Accessible Solutions ZA, to conduct audits and provide recommendations for improvement.
Reporting Accessibility Issues
We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of our website. If you encounter any accessibility issues, please let us know. You can contact our accessibility team by email at accessibility@mzansiflavours.co.za or by phone at 021 813 9427. Our team is available Monday to Friday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (South African Standard Time).
When reporting an accessibility issue, please provide as much detail as possible, including:
- The URL of the page where you encountered the issue
- A description of the issue
- The assistive technology you were using (e.g., screen reader, browser)
- Your contact information (optional)
We will make every effort to address any accessibility issues promptly and effectively. We are committed to providing a positive user experience for all visitors to our website.
Ongoing Efforts
Accessibility is an ongoing effort, and we are committed to continuously improving the accessibility of our website. We regularly review our website and make updates as needed to ensure that it remains accessible to everyone. We also stay up-to-date on the latest accessibility guidelines and best practices.
We are currently working on several initiatives to further enhance the accessibility of our website, including:
- Improving the accessibility of our video player
- Adding more detailed descriptions to our recipe images
- Implementing a more robust keyboard navigation system
Thank you for your support in helping us make Mzansi Flavours accessible to everyone.