Accessibility Statement

Our Commitment to Accessibility

Hive Disability Services is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people with disabilities. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone and applying the relevant accessibility standards to ensure we provide equal access to information and functionality for all users.

We believe that everyone should have access to information and services, regardless of their abilities. This commitment extends beyond our NDIS services to include our digital presence and online resources.

Accessibility Standards

This website aims to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 at the AA level. These guidelines explain how to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities and user-friendly for everyone.

We also align our efforts with:

• Australian Government Digital Service Standard
• Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth)
• Australian Human Rights Commission guidelines
• Section 508 of the US Rehabilitation Act

Accessibility Features

Our website includes the following accessibility features:

Navigation and Structure

• Skip navigation links for keyboard users
• Logical heading structure (H1, H2, H3, etc.)
• Consistent navigation throughout the site
• Breadcrumb navigation where applicable
• Clear and descriptive page titles
• Landmark roles for screen readers

Visual Design

• High contrast color combinations (minimum 4.5:1 ratio)
• Text that can be resized up to 200% without loss of functionality
• No reliance on color alone to convey information
• Clear focus indicators for interactive elements
• Readable fonts and adequate spacing
• Responsive design that works on various devices and screen sizes

Images and Media

• Alternative text for all informative images
• Empty alt attributes for decorative images
• Descriptive captions for videos where available
• Audio descriptions for video content where applicable
• Properly structured data tables with headers

Keyboard Navigation

• Full keyboard accessibility for all interactive elements
• Logical tab order throughout the site
• Visible focus indicators
• Access keys for important navigation links
• No keyboard traps that prevent navigation

Forms and Interactive Elements

• Clear and descriptive labels for all form inputs
• Error messages that are clearly identified and explained
• Required fields are clearly marked
• Instructions provided for complex form interactions
• Confirmation pages for important submissions

Screen Reader Support

• ARIA labels and descriptions where appropriate
• Proper use of headings and landmarks
• Live regions for dynamic content updates
• Semantic HTML markup throughout
• Compatible with popular screen readers (NVDA, VoiceOver, JAWS)

Known Limitations

While we strive for full accessibility, we acknowledge that some areas may still present challenges:

• Some third-party embedded content may not meet accessibility standards
• PDF documents are being updated to improve accessibility
• Some older video content may lack captions or audio descriptions
• Maps and interactive elements are being enhanced for better accessibility

We are actively working to address these limitations and improve the accessibility of all content.

Testing and Monitoring

We regularly test our website accessibility using:

• Automated accessibility scanning tools
• Manual testing with keyboard navigation
• Screen reader testing with NVDA, VoiceOver, and JAWS
• Color contrast verification tools
• User testing with people who have disabilities
• Regular accessibility audits by external consultants

Alternative Access Options

If you encounter barriers while using our website, we provide alternative ways to access information:

• Phone support for all online services and information
• Email support with detailed responses
• In-person assistance at our office locations
• Large print versions of documents upon request
• Audio recordings of written content when available
• Sign language interpreters for meetings and consultations

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 contact us:

When reporting an accessibility issue, please include:

• The specific page or section where you encountered the issue
• A description of the problem and how it affects your use of the site
• The browser and assistive technology you are using
• Your contact information for follow-up

Ongoing Improvements

Accessibility is an ongoing effort. We are committed to:

• Regular accessibility training for our development and content teams
• Incorporating accessibility considerations into our design and development processes
• Conducting periodic accessibility audits and user testing
• Staying current with accessibility best practices and standards
• Prioritizing accessibility fixes and improvements
• Collaborating with the disability community for feedback and guidance

Third-Party Content

Some content on our website may be provided by third-party services (such as social media plugins, maps, or embedded videos). While we work with vendors to ensure accessibility, we may not have direct control over the accessibility of all third-party content. We are committed to working with our vendors to improve accessibility across all platform components.

Legal Framework

This accessibility statement is prepared in accordance with:

• Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Commonwealth of Australia)
• Australian Human Rights Commission guidelines
• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1
• Australian Government Digital Service Standard

If you are not satisfied with our response to your accessibility concern, you may contact the Australian Human Rights Commission or relevant state-based disability rights organizations.

Updates to This Statement

This accessibility statement will be reviewed and updated regularly to reflect our ongoing efforts to improve accessibility. Major updates will be communicated through our website and other appropriate channels.

We are committed to making our digital services accessible to all users and will continue to work toward full compliance with accessibility standards.