Accessibility Center
Our Commitment to Accessibility
Creative West is dedicated to providing inclusive and accessible spaces in the arts. We recognize accessibility is an ongoing commitment, and we rely on our team and partners to learn and implement practices that enhance the experience for all we serve in the Creative West region and beyond.
Our accessibility initiatives align with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.1, level AA criteria. We aim to make our content accessible to those with sensory, cognitive, and mobility disabilities.
Recent & Completed Improvements
We’re always working to improve accessibility. Here’s what we’ve recently updated:
| Date | Improvement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 2025 | Add Required Labels to Form Fields | Labeled all required form fields throughout the side with “(required).” | Released |
| April 2025 | Updates to the Admin/Juror Login Page | Labeled the “Show Password” button to be keyboard-accessible and to announce its state.
Enabled autofill for login fields. Adjusted tables for better screen reader compatibility. Added an H1 heading to the page. Defined the page language. Updated form labels to be visible. Added a “Skip to Content” link. Updated focus visibility for navigation elements. |
Released |
| April 2025 | Updates to the Artist/Vendor Site | Added a visible focus state to the menu toggle button for logged-in and logged-out users.
Changed the “close menu” link to a button for better consistency. Properly linked the descriptions of the media upload page to their respective input fields. |
Released |
| April 2025 | Updates to the Homepage | Updated contrast of various elements to meet required contrast ratios.
Updated the “Contact Support” link to make its focus state visible for better navigation. |
Released |
| April 2025 | Updates to the Events List | Updated the Events List page to announce when links open in a new tab and when search results are announced.
Added accessible names for slider filters. Updated keyboard navigation. Added a proper heading structure. |
Released |
| March 2025 | Updates to the Homepage | Updated hidden navigation elements to be no longer focusable.
Added proper heading markups to key sections, such as Events List, Blog, and Getting Started. Updated focused items in the Events List to scroll into view. |
Released |
| March 2025 | Updates to the Event Details Page | Updated hidden navigation elements to be no longer focusable.
Added an accessible name to the “Favorite event” control, changed it to a button, and included an attribute to indicate its current state. |
Released |
| March 2025 | Updates to the Registration | Added an accessible name to the “Remove Social Media Link” button, changed it to a button, and improved the error color contrast.
Ensured proper focus order when adding social media links and associated error messages. Removed the placeholder text to prevent repetition for screen reader users. Clearly labeled required fields. Ensured proper labels for Terms and Conditions, Password, and Confirmed Password fields, and fixed the “What is your age?” label association. Connected instructions to relevant input fields. Corrected radio and checkbox group markup to include fieldset and legend. Updated the “Other” input labels to prevent confusion. |
Released |
| March 2025 | General Accessible Updates | Added “Skip to Content” link for better navigation.
Added a focus state to the menu icon. Updated the login/signup button focus to meet contrast guidelines. |
Released |
| Jan 2025 | Labeled Required Fields in Event Editor | Updated the fields in the Event editor with the “(required)” label to help users identify the information necessary to publish their event. | Released |
| Jan 2025 | Artist Login Label Updates | Properly labeled the “Log In” heading and the “Show Password” field. | Released |
Upcoming Accessibility Improvements
Here’s what we’re actively working on to improve accessibility:
| Feature/Fix | Expected Release | Impact | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upload Media Form Labels | Q3 2025 | Ensuring that the form labels, instructions and error messages are associated correctly on the upload form. | In Progress |
| Adding Alt Text | Q3 2025 | Allows users to add in their own alternative text for images and ensures that is used throughout the site. | In Progress |
| Improving Color Contrast Throughout Site | Q3 2025 | Improves the colors that are used throughout the site to meet WCAG AA standards. | In Progress |
| Calendar Accessible Names & Colors | Q3 2025 | Improves links to include accessible names, improve color contrast, and include legend. | Planned |
| Improve Jury Profile | Q3 2025 | Improves the field labels, instructions, and announcing of the MFA selection. | In Progress |
| Add Labels, Headings, and Improve Jury Table | Q3 2025 | Add/ensure all field labels are associated, improving heading structure, and improve keyboard functionality on the jury table. | In Progress |
| Add Alternative Text on Jury Scorecard | Q3 2025 | Add the alternative text to the juror scorecard. | In Progress |
| Improve Labels & Keyboard Functionality on Scorecard | Q3 2025 | Improves the scorecard to be fully keyboard accessible. Adds labels to be read by screen readers. | In Progress |
| Administrator Accessibility Updates | 2026 | Improves the accessibility on the administrator side of ZAPP. | Planned |
| ZAPP Onsite Accessibility Updates | 2026/2027 | Improves the accessibility within ZAPP Onsite. | Planned |
How to Get Support or Provide Feedback
Creative West is committed to continuously improving our technical platforms, and we invite all users to reach out with questions, concerns, or feedback on the accessibility of our sites. We want to hear from you!
If you experience any accessibility issues or have suggestions, please reach out. Thank you for helping us create a more inclusive experience!
Email: accessibility@WeAreCreativeWest.org
Submit the form below.