Everyone is Welcome
Ethiopian Evangelical Christian Church — Austin is committed to ensuring that our website and services are accessible to all people, including those with disabilities. We believe that everyone should be able to fully participate in our church community.
1. Our Commitment
At EECC Austin, we are committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of technology or ability. We are actively working to increase the accessibility and usability of our website and digital services.
We strive to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards. These guidelines explain how to make web content more accessible for people with disabilities and more user-friendly for everyone.
2. Accessibility Features
Our website includes the following accessibility features:
2.1 Navigation & Structure
- Semantic HTML: Proper heading structure and landmarks for screen readers
- Skip Links: Skip to main content for keyboard users
- Consistent Navigation: Navigation menus are consistent across all pages
- Breadcrumbs: Clear indication of current page location
- Focus Indicators: Visible focus states for keyboard navigation
2.2 Visual Design
- Color Contrast: Text meets WCAG AA contrast requirements
- Dark Mode: Option to switch between light and dark themes
- Responsive Design: Works on all screen sizes and devices
- Text Resizing: Content reflows when text is enlarged up to 200%
- No Color Dependence: Information is not conveyed by color alone
2.3 Content
- Alt Text: Images include descriptive alternative text
- Link Text: Links are descriptive and make sense out of context
- Plain Language: Content is written clearly and concisely
- Form Labels: All form inputs have associated labels
- Error Messages: Clear, descriptive error messages for forms
2.4 Multimedia
- Video Controls: All videos have play/pause and volume controls
- No Auto-Play: Videos do not play automatically with sound
- Captions: We are working to add captions to sermon videos
2.5 Mobile Accessibility
- Touch Targets: Buttons and links are large enough for touch interaction
- Mobile Screen Reader Support: Compatible with VoiceOver and TalkBack
- Orientation Support: Works in both portrait and landscape modes
3. Assistive Technology Compatibility
Our website is designed to be compatible with:
- Screen Readers: NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver, TalkBack
- Voice Control: Dragon NaturallySpeaking, Voice Control
- Screen Magnifiers: ZoomText, Windows Magnifier
- Keyboard-Only Navigation: Full functionality without a mouse
- Browser Extensions: High contrast modes and custom stylesheets
4. Known Limitations
While we strive for full accessibility, we acknowledge that some areas may need improvement:
- Older Sermon Videos: Some older videos may not have captions yet
- Third-Party Content: Embedded content (like YouTube) is subject to their accessibility
- PDF Documents: Some older PDFs may not be fully accessible
We are actively working to address these limitations and appreciate your patience.
5. Physical Accessibility
Our church building offers:
- Accessible Parking: Designated accessible parking spaces near the entrance
- Wheelchair Access: Ramp access to the main entrance
- Accessible Seating: Space for wheelchairs in the sanctuary
- Accessible Restrooms: ADA-compliant restrooms available
- Hearing Assistance: Please contact us about hearing loop or amplification options
6. Language Accessibility
We strive to serve our multilingual community:
- Amharic: Primary language for worship services
- English: Translation available during services
- Afan Oromo: Translation available upon request
- Tigrinya: Translation available upon request
7. Request Accommodations
If you need accommodations to participate in our services or events, please contact us in advance. We will do our best to meet your needs. Examples of accommodations we can provide:
- Large print bulletins or materials
- Reserved seating near the front
- Sign language interpretation (with advance notice)
- Assistance for those with mobility challenges
- Alternative formats for documents
8. Feedback & Contact
We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of our website and services. If you encounter any accessibility barriers or have suggestions for improvement, please contact us:
- Email: support@eeccaustin.org
- Phone: (512) 550-1273
- Online: Contact Form
When contacting us about accessibility, please include:
- The page URL where you encountered the issue
- A description of the accessibility problem
- The assistive technology you were using (if applicable)
- Your preferred method of contact
9. Continuous Improvement
Accessibility is an ongoing effort. We regularly:
- Review and test our website for accessibility issues
- Train our staff on accessibility best practices
- Update our website to meet current accessibility standards
- Respond to feedback from our community
10. Resources
For more information about web accessibility:
We're Here to Help: If you have difficulty accessing any content or features on our website, please let us know. We are committed to providing an inclusive experience for all members of our community.