Accessibility Statement for Waste Collection Waterloo

Waste Collection Waterloo is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible experience for all residents, businesses, and visitors who use our waste and recycling services in the Waterloo area. We aim to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, can access information about collections, request services, and communicate with our team easily and independently.

Our commitment to accessibility

We are working to align our digital information and online tools with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1, Level AA. These guidelines explain how to make web content more accessible for people with a wide range of disabilities, including visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, language, learning, and neurological disabilities. Our goal is for our online waste collection information for Waterloo to be clear, consistent, and usable for as many people as possible.

Supported technologies and assistive tools

The information we provide about waste collection in Waterloo is designed to support a range of modern browsers, operating systems, and assistive technologies. This includes screen readers, screen magnifiers, speech recognition software, and alternative input devices. We work to ensure that text, headings, and labels are properly structured so assistive technologies can interpret and present the information in a meaningful and logical order.

Screen-reader accessibility

We understand that many residents rely on screen readers to access important service information, including waste and recycling schedules, special collection arrangements, and service updates. We strive to use clear headings, descriptive text, and meaningful labels so that screen reader users can navigate waste collection content for the Waterloo area efficiently. Where possible, we avoid using images to convey essential information and provide text alternatives where images are necessary.

Keyboard navigation

Our aim is for people to be able to move through our online content using only a keyboard. This is particularly important for users who cannot operate a mouse or touch screen. We work to maintain a logical tab order, visible focus indicators, and keyboard-operable controls so that key tasks such as finding collection days, reading service alerts, or contacting our Waste Collection Waterloo team can be completed without a pointing device.

Readable, understandable content

We seek to use clear language, short sentences, and consistent layouts to help users quickly find the waste collection information they need for Waterloo and nearby streets. We avoid unnecessary jargon and explain waste service terms wherever it is helpful. We also aim to ensure that text has sufficient colour contrast with background elements to support users with low vision or colour vision deficiencies.

Ongoing improvements

Accessibility is an ongoing process. As our waste services and digital tools evolve, we will continue reviewing and improving the accessibility of content related to Waste Collection Waterloo. This includes checking new pages and updates against WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines, listening to user feedback, and addressing identified barriers as soon as reasonably possible.

Accessibility limitations

While we are working hard to achieve and maintain WCAG 2.1 AA standards, some parts of our content may not yet be fully accessible. There may be legacy documents or third-party systems related to waste collection services that are more difficult to adapt. When we cannot immediately fix an issue, we will do our best to offer the information in an alternative format on request.

Requesting assistance and alternative formats

If you experience any difficulty accessing information about Waste Collection Waterloo, or if you need information in a different format such as large print, plain text, or audio, you can contact our team. Please describe the information you need, the format you prefer, and the best way to reach you so that we can respond as effectively as possible.

Contact for accessibility feedback

We welcome feedback that can help make our waste collection information and services in Waterloo more accessible. If you encounter any accessibility barriers, notice content that is hard to use, or have suggestions for improvement, please contact our accessibility team. Include details about the specific page or service, the type of problem you experienced, and any assistive technology you were using. We will review your comments and aim to respond within a reasonable timeframe, explaining any actions we have taken or plan to take.

Continuous review

We review this Accessibility Statement for Waste Collection Waterloo regularly to reflect changes in standards, technology, and user needs. Our objective is to ensure that everyone in the Waterloo area can access essential waste and recycling information independently, safely, and with confidence.