Accessibility Statement

1. Our Commitment to Accessibility

Herald is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people with disabilities. We believe that everyone should have equal access to information and communication tools, regardless of ability. Our goal is to provide an inclusive experience for all users, including those who rely on assistive technologies.

We are continually improving the user experience for everyone and working toward conformance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards. Accessibility is an ongoing effort, and we are committed to maintaining and enhancing the accessibility of our newsletter creation platform.

Herald is particularly focused on accessibility because many of our users create newsletters for communities, HOAs, and organizations that include people with diverse abilities and needs.

2. Accessibility Features

Herald includes numerous accessibility features to ensure our Service is usable by everyone:

2.1 Visual Accessibility

• Adjustable Font Sizes: Readers can choose between small, medium, and large text sizes on published newsletters using our accessibility panel
• High Contrast Mode: A high contrast display option enhances readability for users with visual impairments
• Color Contrast: We design our interface with sufficient color contrast ratios to meet WCAG AA standards
• Scalable Interface: The interface responds properly to browser zoom settings up to 200%
• No Color-Only Information: We use icons and text labels in addition to color to convey information

2.2 Navigation and Interaction

• Keyboard Navigation: All functionality is accessible via keyboard without requiring a mouse
• Focus Indicators: Visible focus states help keyboard users track their position
• Skip Links: Skip navigation links allow screen reader users to bypass repetitive content
• Consistent Layout: Predictable page structure and navigation patterns across the Service
• Table of Contents: Published newsletters include an interactive table of contents for easy navigation
• Logical Tab Order: Interactive elements follow a logical reading order

2.3 Content Accessibility

• Alt Text Support: Newsletter creators can add descriptive alternative text for all images
• Semantic HTML: Proper use of headings, lists, landmarks, and ARIA roles
• ARIA Labels: Accessible names and descriptions for interactive components
• Form Labels: All form fields have associated labels for screen reader compatibility
• Error Identification: Form errors are clearly identified and described
• Link Purpose: Links have descriptive text indicating their destination

2.4 Multimedia Accessibility

• Image Descriptions: Support for alt text on all uploaded images
• Video Accessibility: Embedded videos can include captions when provided by creators
• PDF Downloads: Newsletters can be downloaded as PDFs for offline access
• No Auto-Play: Media does not auto-play without user interaction

2.5 Language and Translation

• Google Translate Integration: Published newsletters can be translated into 24+ languages
• Language Selection: Easy-to-use dropdown for selecting translation language
• Reset to English: One-click return to original language

3. Accessibility in Herald Features

3.1 Newsletter Editor

Our newsletter editor is designed to be keyboard accessible with clear focus indicators. Section types (updates, events, polls, contacts, discounts) use semantic HTML and ARIA attributes for screen reader compatibility.

3.2 Published Newsletters

Published newsletter pages feature:

• Accessibility panel with font size and contrast controls
• Interactive table of contents with anchor links
• Proper heading hierarchy for screen reader navigation
• Responsive design that works on all devices
• Print-friendly layout for PDF generation

3.3 Interactive Features

• Polls: Radio buttons with associated labels, keyboard accessible voting
• Games: Keyboard navigation for Sudoku, Word Scramble, and quizzes
• Events: RSVP buttons with clear labels and confirmation messages
• Contact Directory: Searchable with keyboard, clear visual formatting

3.4 AI Features

Our AI-powered features (content enhancement, PDF-to-newsletter conversion, summarization) are designed to help creators produce more accessible content by improving readability and structure.

4. Standards We Follow

Herald is designed to meet or exceed the following accessibility standards:

4.1 WCAG 2.1 Level AA

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA is our primary target. These guidelines cover four principles:

• Perceivable: Information must be presentable in ways users can perceive
• Operable: Interface components must be operable by all users
• Understandable: Information and operation must be understandable
• Robust: Content must be robust enough for various assistive technologies

4.2 Section 508

We work toward compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, which requires federal agencies and their contractors to make electronic information accessible.

4.3 ADA

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires businesses to provide accessible goods and services. We design Herald to help our users meet their ADA obligations.

4.4 Fair Housing Act (FHA)

For users creating housing-related communications (HOA newsletters, property management updates), Herald provides tools to help meet FHA accessibility requirements.

5. Fair Housing Act Compliance

Many Herald users create newsletters for HOAs, property management companies, and housing communities. If you use Herald for housing-related communications, please be aware of Fair Housing Act requirements:

5.1 Accessible Communications

• Provide communications in accessible formats upon request
• Use Herald's accessibility features (font size, contrast, translation)
• Include alt text for all images in your newsletters
• Ensure PDFs are accessible when distributing print versions

5.2 Non-Discriminatory Content

• Avoid discriminatory language based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or disability
• Ensure event invitations and community communications are inclusive
• Provide reasonable accommodations for residents with disabilities
• Maintain records of accommodation requests and responses

5.3 Herald's Role

Herald provides tools to help you create accessible communications, but you are responsible for ensuring your content complies with FHA and other applicable laws. We recommend consulting with legal counsel for specific compliance questions.

6. Compatibility

Herald is designed to be compatible with a wide range of technologies:

6.1 Browsers

• Google Chrome (latest 2 versions)
• Mozilla Firefox (latest 2 versions)
• Apple Safari (latest 2 versions)
• Microsoft Edge (latest 2 versions)

6.2 Assistive Technologies

• Screen Readers: NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver, TalkBack
• Voice Recognition: Dragon NaturallySpeaking, Windows Speech Recognition
• Screen Magnification: ZoomText, Windows Magnifier, macOS Zoom
• Alternative Input: Switch devices, head pointers, eye tracking

6.3 Devices

• Desktop computers (Windows, macOS, Linux)
• Tablets (iPad, Android tablets)
• Mobile phones (iOS, Android)

7. Known Limitations

Despite our efforts to ensure accessibility, some limitations may exist:

7.1 Third-Party Content

• Embedded videos from external sources may lack captions
• External links may lead to inaccessible content
• Google Translate output may not always be accurate

7.2 User-Generated Content

• Newsletter creators may not always provide alt text for images
• Content structure depends on creator choices
• PDF documents created by users may have limited accessibility

7.3 Complex Features

• Some advanced editor features may present challenges for certain assistive technologies
• Interactive games may have varying levels of accessibility
• Drag-and-drop functionality has keyboard alternatives but may be less intuitive

7.4 Ongoing Improvements

We are actively working to address these limitations and improve accessibility across all features. If you encounter any barriers, please report them so we can prioritize fixes.

8. Current Status and Roadmap

8.1 Current Status

8.2 Areas of Focus

• Improving screen reader compatibility in the newsletter editor
• Enhancing keyboard navigation for drag-and-drop features
• Adding more ARIA attributes to dynamic content
• Ensuring color contrast meets WCAG AA standards throughout
• Improving error messages and form validation feedback
• Enhancing mobile accessibility

8.3 Testing Methods

• Automated testing with axe-core and Lighthouse
• Manual testing with screen readers (NVDA, VoiceOver)
• Keyboard-only navigation testing
• User feedback and accessibility issue reports

9. Reporting Accessibility Issues

We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of Herald. If you encounter any accessibility barriers or have suggestions for improvement, please contact us.

9.1 How to Report

You can report accessibility issues through:

• Contact Us: herald.xyz/help/contact
• Help Center: herald.xyz/help

9.2 Information to Include

When reporting an accessibility issue, please include:

• The URL of the page where you encountered the issue
• A description of the problem and what you were trying to do
• The assistive technology you were using (if applicable)
• Your browser and operating system
• Screenshots or recordings if possible

9.3 Response Time

We aim to respond to accessibility feedback within 5 business days. We will acknowledge your report, provide an estimated timeline for resolution, and notify you when the issue has been addressed.

10. Contact Information

For questions about accessibility or to report issues, please contact us:

We are committed to providing accessible services and appreciate your feedback in helping us improve.