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FROM STAFF REPORTS

CALERA – The city of Calera announced a series of new improvements to its website designed to increase accessibility for all citizens, particularly those with disabilities.

The new enhancements to the website  include the introduction of an innovative accessibility widget, which allows users to personalize their online experience for greater ease of use.

“The city of Calera remains committed to ensuring that all residents have equal access to essential information and services,” said James Fuller, director of technology for Calera. ”These new accessibility features are part of an ongoing effort to improve inclusivity and ensure that all citizens are empowered to fully engage with the city’s online resources.”

The new accessibility widget, which can be accessed by clicking the accessibility icon located at the bottom left of the website, offers several options to physically adjust the site’s appearance.

For example, those with dyslexia can now access a special font designed to make reading easier, helping to improve their navigation and comprehension. In addition to font adjustments, the website allows users to modify the font size, line spacing and color schemes to ensure a more comfortable browsing experience.

A key improvement involves the optimization of Alt Text, a feature that provides written descriptions of images for individuals using screen readers. Alt Text is useful for users who cannot see the images on a website, as it allows them to understand the context and content of those images through spoken descriptions. For example, an image of a city landmark would be described in Alt Text as “a photo of the Calera City Hall building,” enabling screen reader users to fully comprehend the image’s relevance.

Another key addition is the “Guide Bar,” a tool that assists users in reading large blocks of text by helping them stay on the correct line, promoting a smoother reading experience. Additionally, citizens with epilepsy can now turn off all animations across the website, providing a safer and more accessible browsing environment.

For individuals who find it difficult to locate hyperlinks, a new feature has been implemented to highlight all clickable links on the page, making it easier to navigate and explore additional resources. Furthermore, once users set their preferred accessibility settings, the website will remember their preferences each time they visit, ensuring a seamless, personalized experience upon return.