Accessibility Statement

Our Commitment to Accessibility

We strive to ensure that our website follows the principles of:

• Perceivable

  Information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive

• Operable

  User interface components and navigation must be operable and accessible by keyboard

• Understandable

  Information and the operation of the user interface must be understandable to all users

• Robust

  Content must be robust enough to be interpreted reliably by a wide variety of user agents and assistive technologies

Our website aims to conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards, making it accessible to a wider range of people with disabilities.

1. Visual Accessibility Features

Our website includes the following features to support users with visual impairments:

• Text resizing: All text can be resized using your browser's zoom or text resizing features without loss of content or functionality

• Color contrast: We've designed our website with sufficient color contrast between text and background colors to ensure readability

• Dark mode: Our website offers a dark mode option that can reduce eye strain and be beneficial for some users with light sensitivity

• Alt text for images: We provide alternative text descriptions for images to convey their content and function to screen reader users

• Focus indicators: Visible focus indicators help keyboard users know which element is currently in focus

To further enhance your visual experience, you can adjust your browser's settings to zoom in on the page, change fonts, or modify colors according to your preferences.

2. Accessibility Widget

We have implemented a comprehensive accessibility widget (the ♿ button in the bottom-left corner of every page) that provides instant access to a wide range of accessibility features. This widget is compliant with WCAG 2.1 Level AA, ADA, and HIPAA standards.

Accessibility Profiles:

• Visually Impaired Profile: Enlarged text, high contrast, highlighted links, and large cursor for users with vision difficulties

• Cognitive Disability Profile: Increased text size, expanded line spacing, dyslexia-friendly font, and stopped animations for easier reading and comprehension

• Seizure Safe Profile: Stops all animations and reduces color saturation to minimize seizure triggers

• ADHD Friendly Profile: Reading guide, stopped animations, and highlighted headings to improve focus

Content Adjustments (WCAG 1.4.4, 1.4.12):

• Text Size: Adjustable from 50% to 200% in 25% increments

• Line Spacing: Five levels from Normal to Maximum for improved readability

• Text Alignment: Choose between auto, left, center, or right alignment

• Dyslexia Friendly Font: OpenDyslexic font with increased letter and word spacing

Color & Contrast Options (WCAG 1.4.3):

• High Contrast: Increases contrast for better visibility

• Invert Colors: Swaps light and dark colors

• Dark/Light Contrast: Forces dark or light backgrounds

• Grayscale: Removes all colors from the page

• Low Saturation: Reduces color intensity for seizure safety

Navigation & Reading Tools (WCAG 2.1.1, 2.4.4, 2.4.7):

• Highlight Links: Makes all clickable links highly visible with yellow highlighting

• Highlight Headings: Makes section titles stand out for easier navigation

• Large Cursor: Enlarged mouse pointer for easier tracking

• Reading Guide: A horizontal line that follows your cursor to help track reading

• Hide Images: Removes all images for distraction-free reading

• Stop Animations (WCAG 2.2.2): Pauses all moving content including carousels and sliders

All accessibility preferences are automatically saved and will persist across visits to our website. You can reset all settings to default at any time using the "Reset All Settings" button in the widget.

2. Keyboard Navigation Support

Our website is designed to be fully navigable using a keyboard for users who cannot use a mouse. Key keyboard features include:

• Tab navigation: All interactive elements can be accessed sequentially using the Tab key

• Skip navigation links: Hidden links that become visible when focused allow keyboard users to bypass repetitive navigation menus

• Logical tab order: Interactive elements follow a logical order that matches the visual flow of the page

• Accessible dropdown menus: Menu items can be navigated using arrow keys

Common keyboard shortcuts that work on our website:

4. Alternative Input Methods

For users who prefer or require alternatives to keyboard and mouse input, our website is compatible with various assistive technologies and alternative input methods:

• Voice recognition software: Our site works with voice recognition software such as Dragon Naturally Speaking, allowing you to navigate and interact using voice commands

• Screen readers: Compatible with JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and other screen reading software

• Switch devices: Our site supports some navigation with switch devices when used in conjunction with browser-based switch controls

• Touch-screen devices: Our site is designed to be responsive and accessible on touch-screen devices with appropriately sized tap targets

Voice recognition tips for navigating our website:

5. Accessibility for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Users

We've implemented the following features to make our website more accessible for users who are deaf or hard of hearing:

• Visual indicators: Important information is conveyed visually as well as audibly to ensure it's accessible to all users

• Volume controls: Audio and video content includes easily accessible volume controls

If you have any difficulty accessing any audio or video content on our site, please contact us, and we will provide an alternative format.

6. In-Person Accommodations

At Citywide Eye Care, our commitment to accessibility extends beyond our website to our physical office location. We provide:

• Wheelchair accessible entrances and examination rooms

• Large-print materials for forms and educational content

• Assistance for patients with special needs

• Specialized eye exams for children with special needs including developmental, behavioral, physical, and sensory conditions

To request specific accommodations for your appointment, please contact our office at (516) 266-9398 at least 48 hours in advance so we can best prepare for your visit.

7. Standards and Compliance

Our website and practice are designed to conform with the following accessibility standards and regulations:

• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA - International standards for web accessibility

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - Federal civil rights law prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities

We regularly test our website using a combination of automated testing tools and manual testing with assistive technologies. While we strive for WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance across our entire website, some content may not yet fully conform to these standards. We are actively working to identify and address these issues.

8. Feedback and Assistance

We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of the Citywide Eye Care website. If you encounter any barriers or have suggestions for improvement, please contact us at:

We value your input and are committed to addressing accessibility issues promptly. If you need assistance accessing any content on our website, please don't hesitate to reach out and we will do our best to assist you.