Accessibility Statement

1. Our Commitment

Au Pair Now strives to ensure that our platform is accessible to all users, including people with disabilities. We believe that everyone deserves equal access to the services and opportunities our platform provides, whether you are a family searching for childcare or an au pair seeking a placement.

Our commitment to accessibility is rooted in Section 9 of the South African Constitution, which enshrines the right to equality and prohibits unfair discrimination. We embrace the spirit of universal design, aiming to create a platform that is usable by the widest possible range of people without the need for adaptation or specialised modification.

2. Accessibility Standards

We are working towards conformance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA, an internationally recognised set of recommendations for improving web accessibility. These guidelines address accessibility across a wide range of disabilities, including visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, language, learning, and neurological disabilities.

Our ongoing efforts include regular audits, user testing, and iterative improvements to ensure we meet and maintain these standards across all areas of our platform.

3. Accessibility Features

Au Pair Now incorporates the following accessibility features:

• Keyboard Navigation: All interactive elements can be accessed and operated using a keyboard alone, without requiring a mouse
• Screen Reader Support: Pages are structured with semantic HTML and ARIA attributes to provide a meaningful experience for screen reader users
• High Contrast Support: Our colour palette has been chosen to meet minimum contrast ratios, and the platform respects system-level high contrast preferences
• Resizable Text: Content can be resized up to 200% without loss of functionality or readability
• Alt Text on Images: All meaningful images include descriptive alternative text for users who cannot see them
• Visible Focus Indicators: Interactive elements display clear focus outlines to help keyboard and switch device users track their position on the page
• Touch Targets: Buttons and interactive elements meet a minimum size of 44 by 44 pixels, ensuring usability on touchscreen devices and for users with limited dexterity
• Consistent Navigation: Navigation menus and page layouts follow a consistent structure throughout the platform
• Form Labels and Error Handling: All form fields include descriptive labels, and validation errors are clearly communicated with guidance on how to correct them

4. Known Limitations

While we work to ensure a fully accessible experience, we are aware of certain areas that are still being improved:

• Older PDF Documents: Some previously uploaded PDF documents, such as older reference letters or certificates, may not be fully accessible to screen readers. We are working to provide accessible alternatives where possible.
• User-Uploaded Content: Profile photos and documents uploaded by users may not always include adequate alternative text or meet accessibility standards. We encourage users to provide descriptive text where prompted.
• Third-Party Integrations: Certain third-party components, such as payment processing forms, may have accessibility limitations outside our direct control. We work with our providers to advocate for improvements.
• Live Chat: Our real-time messaging feature is undergoing enhancements to improve the experience for screen reader users.

We are actively working to address these limitations and improve accessibility across the entire platform.

5. Supported Assistive Technologies

Au Pair Now has been designed to work with a range of assistive technologies, including:

• Screen Readers: JAWS (Windows), NVDA (Windows), VoiceOver (macOS and iOS), TalkBack (Android)
• Screen Magnifiers: ZoomText, built-in operating system magnification tools
• Speech Recognition: Dragon NaturallySpeaking, built-in voice control on macOS and Windows
• Keyboard-Only Navigation: Full functionality is available without a mouse or touchscreen
• Switch Devices: The platform supports common switch access methods for users with motor impairments

6. Feedback

We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of Au Pair Now. If you encounter any barriers or have suggestions for how we can improve, please let us know. Your input is invaluable in helping us create a more inclusive experience for all users.

When reporting an accessibility issue, it is helpful to include:

• A description of the issue and where on the platform it occurred
• The device, operating system, and browser you were using
• Any assistive technology you were using at the time
• The outcome you expected versus what happened

We aim to respond to accessibility feedback within five business days and to resolve reported issues as promptly as possible.

7. Contact Us

If you have questions about our accessibility efforts or need assistance using our platform, please reach out to us:

• Email: accessibility@aupairnow.co.za
• Or through our Contact Page