Our Commitment to Accessibility

At Aurora Studios, located in the vibrant heart of Seattle, Washington, we are deeply committed to ensuring digital accessibility for everyone. We believe that everyone, regardless of their abilities, should have equal access to information and services provided through our website. This commitment is woven into the fabric of our design and development processes, ensuring that our online presence is as inclusive as possible.

We strive to adhere to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA, a set of international standards developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). These guidelines outline how to make web content more accessible to individuals with disabilities. Our efforts are ongoing as we continuously work to improve the accessibility of our website.

Measures to Support Accessibility

Aurora Studios takes the following measures to ensure accessibility of our website:

• Regular Accessibility Audits: We conduct regular audits of our website using both automated tools and manual testing methods, identifying and addressing accessibility issues promptly. These audits are performed by accessibility specialists like Anya Petrova, our lead accessibility consultant.
• WCAG Compliance: We are committed to adhering to WCAG 2.1 Level AA guidelines, ensuring that our content is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.
• Alternative Text for Images: All images on our website include descriptive alternative text, allowing users who are visually impaired to understand the content and purpose of the images. For example, a gallery image of a wedding will have the alt text "Candid shot of a bride and groom exchanging vows during their wedding ceremony".
• Keyboard Navigation: Our website is designed to be fully navigable using a keyboard, allowing users who cannot use a mouse to access all content and functionality.
• Clear and Consistent Navigation: We strive to maintain a clear and consistent navigation structure, making it easy for users to find the information they need.
• Sufficient Color Contrast: We ensure that there is sufficient contrast between text and background colors, making it easier for users with low vision to read the content.
• Form Labels and Instructions: All form fields on our website are properly labeled, and clear instructions are provided to guide users through the process of completing the forms.
• Responsive Design: Our website is designed to be responsive, adapting to different screen sizes and devices, making it accessible to users on desktops, tablets, and mobile phones.
• Semantic HTML: We use semantic HTML elements to structure our content, making it easier for assistive technologies to understand and interpret the information.
• Video Captions and Transcripts: All videos on our website include captions and transcripts, making them accessible to users who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Specific Accessibility Features Implemented

To further enhance the accessibility of our website, we have implemented the following specific features:

• ARIA Attributes: We use ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes to provide additional information to assistive technologies, improving the accessibility of dynamic content and interactive elements.
• Skip Navigation Link: We provide a "skip navigation" link at the beginning of each page, allowing users to bypass the navigation menu and jump directly to the main content.
• Resizable Text: Users can easily increase or decrease the text size on our website using their browser settings.
• Consistent Heading Structure: We use a consistent heading structure throughout our website, making it easier for users to navigate and understand the content.

Ongoing Efforts

Aurora Studios views accessibility as an ongoing effort. We are constantly learning and adapting to new technologies and best practices. Our team, including Elias Thorne (founder) and Isabella Rossi (lead web developer), actively participates in accessibility training and workshops to stay up-to-date with the latest developments.

Exceptions

Despite our best efforts, there may be some areas of our website that are not yet fully accessible. We are actively working to address these issues and appreciate your patience and understanding.

Known Issues

Currently, we are aware of the following accessibility issues on our website:

• Some older PDF documents may not be fully accessible. We are working to replace these documents with accessible versions.
• In rare cases, third-party plugins may not fully comply with WCAG guidelines. We are in communication with the plugin developers to address these issues.