Accessibility Statement

1. Our Commitment to Accessibility

Ubuntu Harmony Foundation is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for all people, including those with disabilities. We believe that everyone deserves equal access to information and functionality on our website, regardless of ability.

Our commitment to accessibility reflects the Ubuntu philosophy—"I am because we are"—and aligns with our mission to build an inclusive South Africa where no one is left behind.

We are continually improving the user experience for everyone and applying relevant accessibility standards to ensure we provide equal access to all users.

2. Legal Framework in South Africa

Our accessibility efforts are guided by the following South African legislation and international standards:

2.1 Constitution of the Republic of South Africa

Section 9 of the Constitution guarantees the right to equality and prohibits unfair discrimination on the grounds of disability. Section 29 ensures the right to education, and Section 32 guarantees the right of access to information.

2.2 Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 4 of 2000 (PEPUDA)

This Act prohibits unfair discrimination and requires reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities to ensure equal access to services and facilities.

2.3 White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2016)

This policy framework promotes the full inclusion, integration, and equality of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society, including access to information and communication technologies.

2.4 Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 (ECTA)

ECTA promotes universal access to electronic communications and transactions, supporting the principle that digital services should be accessible to all South Africans.

2.5 United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)

South Africa ratified the UNCRPD in 2007. Article 9 specifically addresses accessibility, including access to information and communications technologies.

3. Accessibility Standards We Follow

We strive to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 at Level AA. These guidelines are organized around four principles:

4. Accessibility Features on Our Website

We have implemented the following accessibility features on our website:

4.1 Navigation and Structure

• Clear and consistent navigation throughout the website
• Logical heading structure (H1, H2, H3) for easy content navigation
• Skip navigation links to bypass repetitive content
• Descriptive page titles that identify the current page
• Breadcrumb navigation where applicable

4.2 Visual Design

• Sufficient color contrast between text and background (minimum 4.5:1 ratio)
• Text can be resized up to 200% without loss of content or functionality
• No content relies solely on color to convey information
• Clear visual focus indicators for keyboard navigation
• Responsive design that adapts to different screen sizes and orientations

4.3 Images and Media

• Alternative text (alt text) for all meaningful images
• Decorative images are marked appropriately to be ignored by screen readers
• Captions and transcripts for video content where available
• No content that flashes more than three times per second

4.4 Forms and Interactive Elements

• All form fields have associated labels
• Clear error messages that identify the problem and suggest solutions
• Required fields are clearly indicated
• Form validation that does not rely solely on color
• Sufficient time to complete forms

4.5 Keyboard Accessibility

• All functionality is available using a keyboard
• No keyboard traps that prevent users from navigating away
• Visible focus indicators on all interactive elements
• Logical tab order that follows the visual layout

4.6 Assistive Technology Compatibility

• Compatible with popular screen readers (JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver)
• Proper use of ARIA landmarks and labels where appropriate
• Semantic HTML structure for better assistive technology interpretation

5. How to Use Accessibility Features

Here are some tips for using accessibility features on our website and your device:

5.1 Adjusting Text Size

• Windows: Press Ctrl and + to increase text size, Ctrl and - to decrease
• Mac: Press Command and + to increase text size, Command and - to decrease
• Mobile: Use your device's accessibility settings to adjust text size

5.2 Keyboard Navigation

• Tab: Move forward through interactive elements
• Shift + Tab: Move backward through interactive elements
• Enter: Activate links and buttons
• Space: Activate buttons and checkboxes
• Arrow keys: Navigate within menus and form controls

5.3 Screen Reader Users

Our website is designed to work with screen readers. We recommend using the latest version of your preferred screen reader for the best experience. Common screen readers include JAWS, NVDA (free), and VoiceOver (built into Apple devices).

6. Known Limitations

While we strive for full accessibility, we acknowledge that some areas of our website may have limitations:

• Third-party content: Some embedded content from third-party providers may not be fully accessible
• PDF documents: Some older PDF documents may not be fully accessible; we are working to remediate these
• Legacy content: Some historical content may not meet current accessibility standards
• Maps: Interactive maps may have limited accessibility; text alternatives are provided where possible

We are actively working to address these limitations and improve accessibility across all our content.

7. Alternative Formats

If you need information from our website in an alternative format, we are happy to assist. We can provide information in the following formats upon request:

• Large print documents
• Plain text versions
• Audio descriptions
• Easy-read versions
• South African Sign Language (SASL) interpretation for video content (where feasible)

Please contact us to request alternative formats, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs within a reasonable timeframe.

8. Feedback and Contact Information

We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of our website. If you encounter any accessibility barriers or have suggestions for improvement, please let us know:

When contacting us about accessibility issues, please include:

• The web address (URL) of the page where you encountered the issue
• A description of the problem you experienced
• The assistive technology you were using (if applicable)
• Your contact information so we can follow up

We aim to respond to accessibility feedback within 5 business days and will work to resolve issues as quickly as possible.

9. Complaints Procedure

If you are not satisfied with our response to your accessibility concern, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the following bodies:

South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC)

Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Rights Commission)

Equality Court

Under PEPUDA, you may also approach the Equality Court to address unfair discrimination. The Equality Court is located in every Magistrate's Court and High Court in South Africa.

10. Continuous Improvement

We are committed to continuously improving the accessibility of our website. Our ongoing efforts include:

• Regular accessibility audits and testing
• Training our team on accessibility best practices
• Incorporating accessibility into our design and development processes
• Engaging with disability organizations and users for feedback
• Staying updated on accessibility standards and technologies
• Remediating existing content to meet accessibility standards

We review this Accessibility Statement annually and update it to reflect our current accessibility status and efforts.

11. Accessibility Resources

For more information about web accessibility and disability rights in South Africa, please visit:

• Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI): www.w3.org/WAI
• Department of Social Development: www.dsd.gov.za
• Disability Rights South Africa: www.dpsa.org.za
• National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities: www.ncpd.org.za
• South African National Council for the Blind: www.sancb.org.za
• DeafSA: www.deafsa.co.za

12. Acknowledgment

Ubuntu Harmony Foundation acknowledges that accessibility is an ongoing journey. We are grateful to the disability community, accessibility advocates, and all users who help us improve our website. Together, we can create a more inclusive digital space that embodies the spirit of Ubuntu—because we are all connected, and everyone deserves equal access.