SurvivingBreastCancer.org (SBC) is excited to unveil new accessibility features on our website!
As mentioned in our 2024 Impact Report, SBC is committed to making our website and mobile app as accessible as possible. Through our accessibility efforts, SBC aims “to break down barriers so that every person diagnosed with breast cancer can easily access the resources, support, and community they need, no matter their circumstances.”
What exactly do we mean by making our website accessible, and why is this important? Let’s take a closer look.
What is website accessibility?
When a website is described as “accessible,” this means the site can be used by people with various disabilities, which can include visual, auditory, and motor impairments. Accessible websites use specific designs and features to facilitate access for these site users.
As explained by the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, “People who are blind may use screen readers, which are devices that speak the text that appears on a screen. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may use captioning. And people whose disabilities affect their ability to grasp and use a mouse may use voice recognition software to control their computers and other devices with verbal commands.”
Why is web accessibility important?
When a website isn’t designed and planned with accessibility in mind, it’s very likely that site visitors with various disabilities will be unable to use some or all of the site’s content and features.
The Civil Rights Division goes on to describe just how detrimental this can be for potential site users: “Inaccessible web content means that people with disabilities are denied equal access to information. An inaccessible website can exclude people just as much as steps at an entrance to a physical location.”
Through our accessibility efforts, SBC aims to make all of our resources more accessible for everyone – from those diagnosed with breast cancer and their loved ones to individuals wanting to know more about breast cancer risk factors, signs and symptoms, and treatment options.
What’s new on SBC’s website?
The SBC website now includes an accessibility toolbar from Recite Me. This toolbar allows our website users to customize their website experience based on their accessibility needs. By clicking the “Accessibility Tools” button at the top of our website, users can choose from a variety of accessibility options. These include text-to-speech, text size customization, automated translation, magnifier, and more.
Give it a try and find the settings that work best for you! We aim to make our website accessible to everyone. If you have any questions or feedback regarding our website accessibility, please reach out to us at info@survivingbreastcancer.org.
