Accessibility Statement for The Gilded Spoon

Our Commitment to Accessibility

At The Gilded Spoon, Seattle's premier fine dining establishment, we are committed to ensuring that our website is accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities. We believe that all visitors should have equal access to our online content and services. This accessibility statement outlines our ongoing efforts to improve the usability and accessibility of our website, thegildedspoon.com.

We are continually working to enhance our website and increase accessibility, ensuring that it conforms to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA. These guidelines explain how to make web content more accessible for people with disabilities. Conformance with these guidelines helps make the web more user-friendly for everyone.

Measures to Support Accessibility

The Gilded Spoon takes the following measures to ensure the accessibility of our website:

• Semantic HTML: We use semantic HTML elements to structure our content, providing meaning and context to assistive technologies. This includes using appropriate headings (<h1> to <h6>), paragraphs (<p>), lists (<ul>, <ol>), and other semantic elements.
• Alternative Text for Images: All images on our website include descriptive alternative text (alt attributes) that convey the content and function of the image to users who cannot see them. For example, an image of our "Seared Scallops" menu item would have the alt text "Seared Scallops with Lemon Butter Sauce, asparagus spears, and a parmesan crisp.".
• Keyboard Navigation: Our website is designed to be fully navigable using a keyboard, allowing users who cannot use a mouse to access all content and functionality. We ensure that all interactive elements, such as links, buttons, and form fields, are accessible via keyboard.
• Sufficient Color Contrast: We maintain sufficient color contrast between text and background colors to ensure readability for users with low vision or color blindness. We regularly test our color combinations to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA contrast requirements.
• Resizable Text: Users can easily adjust the text size on our website without losing content or functionality. Our design is responsive and adapts to different screen sizes and text sizes.
• Form Accessibility: All forms on our website are designed with accessibility in mind, including proper labeling of form fields, clear instructions, and error messages. We use ARIA attributes to enhance the accessibility of complex form elements.
• Consistent Navigation: We maintain a consistent navigation structure throughout our website to help users easily find the information they need. Our main navigation menu is located at the top of each page, and we provide breadcrumb navigation to help users understand their location within the site.
• ARIA Attributes: We use Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) attributes to provide additional information to assistive technologies about the role, state, and properties of interactive elements. This helps improve the accessibility of dynamic content and complex user interface components.
• Regular Monitoring and Testing: We regularly monitor and test our website to identify and address accessibility issues. We use automated accessibility testing tools and manual testing techniques to ensure that our website conforms to WCAG 2.1 Level AA.
• Clear and Simple Language: We strive to use clear and simple language throughout our website to make our content easy to understand for all users, including those with cognitive disabilities.

Conformance Status

The Gilded Spoon strives to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA. While we are committed to providing an accessible website, we acknowledge that there may be some areas that are not yet fully compliant. We are continually working to improve the accessibility of our website and address any identified issues.

Browser Compatibility

Our website is designed to be compatible with the latest versions of major web browsers, including:

• Google Chrome
• Mozilla Firefox
• Apple Safari
• Microsoft Edge

We recommend using the latest version of your preferred browser for the best experience.

Assistive Technologies

We have tested our website with a variety of assistive technologies, including:

• Screen readers (e.g., NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver)
• Keyboard navigation
• Speech recognition software (e.g., Dragon NaturallySpeaking)

We are committed to ensuring that our website is compatible with a wide range of assistive technologies.

Exceptions

Despite our best efforts to ensure accessibility of The Gilded Spoon website, there may be some limitations. Below are descriptions of known potential exceptions. Please contact us if you observe an issue not listed below.

• Older archived documents may not fully conform to current accessibility standards. We are working to update these documents or provide accessible alternatives.
• Embedded content from third-party sources (e.g., social media feeds, videos) may not be fully accessible. We are working with our vendors to improve the accessibility of their content.

Feedback and Contact Information

We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of The Gilded Spoon website. If you encounter any accessibility barriers or have suggestions for improvement, please contact us:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (206) 555-GOLD (4653) and ask to speak with our Accessibility Coordinator.
• Mailing Address: The Gilded Spoon, Accessibility Department, 1420 Fourth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101

We will make every effort to respond to your feedback in a timely manner and address any accessibility issues as quickly as possible. Our Accessibility Coordinator, Ms. Seraphina Bellweather, will review your feedback and work with our team to implement necessary changes.

Formal Complaints

If, after contacting us, you feel that your accessibility concerns have not been adequately addressed, you have the right to file a formal complaint. Complaints should be submitted in writing and include a detailed description of the accessibility issue, the specific web page or content affected, and any steps you have taken to resolve the issue. Please send your formal complaint to:

Ms. Seraphina Bellweather
Accessibility Coordinator
The Gilded Spoon
1420 Fourth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101

We are committed to investigating all formal complaints and taking appropriate action to ensure that our website is accessible to everyone.

Ongoing Efforts

The Gilded Spoon is dedicated to maintaining and improving the accessibility of our website on an ongoing basis. We will continue to:

• Regularly test our website for accessibility issues using automated tools and manual testing techniques.
• Train our staff on accessibility best practices.
• Incorporate accessibility considerations into our website design and development processes.
• Seek feedback from users with disabilities and incorporate their suggestions into our accessibility efforts.

Legal Framework

The Gilded Spoon strives to comply with the following legal frameworks related to accessibility:

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)