Website Accessibility Statement from PAVE

Partnerships for Action, Voices for Empowerment (PAVE) is making a conscious effort to make this website accessible to everyone.

Currently, PAVE is in the process of launching a new website and is in transition.

If you have problems accessing something on the current website, or have a suggestion for improving the website’s accessibility, please email pave@wapave.org.

Standards Compliance

We are revising and making sure this website follows WCAG 2.0 Level AA accessibility guidelines, so the site should be accessible to individuals who use various technology supports such as screen readers and screen magnification. Additional information about WCAG 2.0 Level AA accessibility guidelines may be found at (external website): http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20/.

Making the Text Smaller or Larger

The PAVE website was designed to meet the needs of visitors with text of different sizes. We are changing our format to make it easier for you to use the browser’s controls or assistive technology to change the font size (the exact method will depend on your browser or assistive technology). Headings will always be larger than paragraph text. This helps to make the visual display easier to identify.

We are working to make sure our site uses a “fluid” design. The new website will make it possible for you to click on links, read text, see information, and other illustrations on any size device or at all font sizes.

Images

The PAVE website includes images both to improve the appeal of the site and to share information. The site includes information about the image and also has it included in the alt-text or long description. This helps visitors who cannot access the images still receive the full benefit of our website.

All menus on the PAVE site can be navigated using the mouse, keyboard, or touch screen. The site includes drop-down menus that are not always “screen touch” accessible. To help with this problem, PAVE gives the visitor the option of using the menu itself, to take you to a page that provides links to each of the other sites available through our current drop-down.

Headings and Semantics

The PAVE site supports assistive technology that allows you to navigate using headings. Major sections are described by top level headings or titles, with subsections marked by subheadings in logical progression.

Links

Links have been written out to provide our visitor with the information about that site. Links that take you to an external website have been indicated. Links are represented by a different hex color.

Color Schemes and Contrast

The colors of the text have been selected to have a high contrast from the background to make text stand out clearly and be easy to read. On our revised website, soon to be published, the color contrast will be more apparent. New colors will follow a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 between any text and its background. Static text (i.e., text that you cannot interact with) is in a black font.

PDF (.pdf) Documents

Portable Document Format (PDF) is sometimes used to preserve the content and formatting of publications and other items that were intended for distribution by hard copy (e.g., paper-based). If you cannot access or read a pdf created by PAVE Staff, please email us: pave@wapave.org

If you are using a screen reader to access the website, you may need Adobe Reader or some similar program to open and read the PDF files. If you have a screen reader, you may also need Access Adobe. You can download Adobe Reader and Access Adobe for free from Adobe’s website at (external website) http://www.adobe.com/

If you have any problems navigating the website, please report them to us by emailing pave@wapave.org. We appreciate your feedback.

Reporting Website Accessibility Concerns

PAVE will make every effort to resolve concerns and complaints alleging disability discrimination in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. We thank you for bringing your issues to our attention.

Informal Resolution

If you are experiencing a website accessibility concern related to your disability, please call or email us so that we can help resolve it as quickly as possible. Please email us at pave@wapave.org and outline what page or pages and what you experienced. Dates are also helpful of when you experienced the issue.

If you are not satisfied with the resolution proposed by PAVE Staff, please discuss the matter with PAVE’s Executive Director at 253-565-2266 or pave@wapave.org. Please outline your original website accessibility issue and your dissatisfaction with the proposed resolution along with your contact information.

Formal Grievance

Filing a formal grievance with the appropriate ADA/Section 504 Coordinator is an individual’s right. We hope that you will make every effort to contact the PAVE staff and Executive Director to resolve the matter you are experiencing. The formal grievance should be filed as soon as practicable.

The grievance must be in writing and include the following:

The complainant’s name, address and, if possible (although not required), a telephone number where the complainant may be reached during business hours;

Information about the person(s) or class of persons injured by the alleged discriminatory act(s) (names of the injured person(s) are not required);

The name and location (city and state) of the institution that committed the alleged discriminatory act(s); and

A description of the alleged discriminatory act(s) in sufficient detail to enable us to understand what occurred, when it occurred, and the basis for the alleged discrimination.

Upon receipt of the grievance, the PAVE Webmaster will provide the individual with a written notice acknowledging receipt of their formal website grievance and promptly initiate an investigation. Upon completion of the investigation, a written reply will be sent to the individual and the parties against whom the grievance is directed.

Last updated: Jan 2025