Creating an Accessible Experience for Everyone

We firmly believe that the internet should be available and accessible to anyone and are committed to providing a website that is accessible to the broadest possible audience, regardless of ability. To fulfill this, we aim to adhere as strictly as possible to the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG 2.1) at the AA level. These guidelines explain how to make web content accessible to people with a wide array of disabilities. Complying with those guidelines helps us ensure that the website is accessible to blind people, people with motor impairments, visual impairment, cognitive disabilities, and more. This website utilizes various technologies that are meant to make it as accessible as possible at all times. We utilize an accessibility interface that allows persons with specific disabilities to adjust the website’s UI (user interface) and design it to their personal needs. Additionally, the website utilizes an AI-based application that runs in the background and optimizes its accessibility level constantly. This application remediates the website’s HTML, adapts its functionality and behavior for screen-readers used by blind users, and for keyboard functions used by individuals with motor impairments. If you wish to contact the website’s owner please use the following email akreimerman@handlery.com.

Screen-reader and keyboard navigation

Our website implements the ARIA attributes (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) technique, alongside various behavioral changes, to ensure blind users visiting with screen-readers can read, comprehend, and enjoy the website’s functions. As soon as a user with a screen-reader enters your site, they immediately receive a prompt to enter the Screen-Reader Profile so they can browse and operate your site effectively. Here’s how our website covers some of the most important screen-reader requirements:

  1. Screen-reader optimization: we run a process that learns the website’s components from top to bottom, to ensure ongoing compliance even when updating the website. In this process, we provide screen-readers with meaningful data using the ARIA set of attributes. For example, we provide accurate form labels; descriptions for actionable icons (social media icons, search icons, cart icons, etc.); validation guidance for form inputs; element roles such as buttons, menus, modal dialogues (popups), and others. Additionally, the background process scans all of the website’s images. It provides an accurate and meaningful image-object-recognition-based description as an ALT (alternate text) tag for images that are not described. It will also extract texts embedded within the image using an OCR (optical character recognition) technology. To turn on screen-reader adjustments at any time, users need only to press the Alt+1 keyboard combination. Screen-reader users also get automatic announcements to turn the Screen-reader mode on as soon as they enter the website. These adjustments are compatible with popular screen readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack.
  2. Keyboard navigation optimization: The background process also adjusts the website’s HTML and adds various behaviors using JavaScript code to make the website operable by the keyboard. This includes the ability to navigate the website using the Tab and Shift+Tab keys, operate dropdowns with the arrow keys, close them with Esc, trigger buttons and links using the Enter key, navigate between radio and checkbox elements using the arrow keys, and fill them in with the Spacebar or Enter key. Additionally, keyboard users will find content-skip menus available at any time by clicking Alt+2, or as the first element of the site while navigating with the keyboard. The background process also handles triggered popups by moving the keyboard focus towards them as soon as they appear, not allowing the focus to drift outside. Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.

Disability profiles supported on our website

  1. Epilepsy Safe Profile: this profile enables people with epilepsy to safely use the website by eliminating the risk of seizures resulting from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
  2. Vision Impaired Profile: this profile adjusts the website so that it is accessible to the majority of visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
  3. Cognitive Disability Profile: this profile provides various assistive features to help users with cognitive disabilities such as Autism, Dyslexia, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements more easily.
  4. ADHD Friendly Profile: this profile significantly reduces distractions and noise to help people with ADHD, and Neurodevelopmental disorders browse, read, and focus on the essential elements more easily.
  5. Blind Users Profile (Screen-readers): this profile adjusts the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is installed on the blind user’s computer, and this site is compatible with it.
  6. Keyboard Navigation Profile (Motor-Impaired): this profile enables motor-impaired persons to operate the website using the keyboard Tab, Shift+Tab, and the Enter keys. Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
 

Additional UI, design, and readability adjustments

  1. Font adjustments users can increase and decrease its size, change its family (type), adjust the spacing, alignment, line height, and more.
  2. Color adjustments users can select various color contrast profiles such as light, dark, inverted, and monochrome. Additionally, users can swap color schemes of titles, texts, and backgrounds with over seven different coloring options.
  3. Animations epileptic users can stop all running animations with the click of a button. Animations controlled by the interface include videos, GIFs, and CSS flashing transitions.
  4. Content highlighting users can choose to emphasize essential elements such as links and titles. They can also choose to highlight focused or hovered elements only.
  5. Audio muting users with hearing devices may experience headaches or other issues due to automatic audio playing. This option lets users mute the entire website instantly.
  6. Cognitive disorders we utilize a search engine linked to Wikipedia and Wiktionary, allowing people with cognitive disorders to decipher meanings of phrases, initials, slang, and others.
  7. Additional functions we allow users to change cursor color and size, use a printing mode, enable a virtual keyboard, and many other functions.

Assistive technology and browser compatibility

We aim to support as many browsers and assistive technologies as possible, so our users can choose the best fitting tools for them, with as few limitations as possible. Therefore, we have worked very hard to be able to support all major systems that comprise over 95% of the user market share, including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera and Microsoft Edge, JAWS, and NVDA (screen readers), both for Windows and MAC users.

Notes, comments, and feedback

Despite our very best efforts to allow anybody to adjust the website to their needs, there may still be pages or sections that are not fully accessible, are in the process of becoming accessible, or are lacking an adequate technological solution to make them accessible. Still, we are continually improving our accessibility, adding, updating, improving its options and features, and developing and adopting new technologies. All this is meant to reach the optimal level of accessibility following technological advancements. If you wish to contact the website’s administrator, please use the following email akreimerman@handlery.com.

Common Areas Accessibility

Guest Room Accessibility

  • Accessibility equipment for the deaf
  • Accessible Guest Rooms with 32 Inch Wide Openings.
  • Accessible Registration Check-in Counters/Other Counters Serving Guests Have A Lowered Portion No More Than 36″ High.
  • ADA Accessible Guest Rooms.
  • All areas of the hotel are accessible by wheelchair – including a wheelchair accessible route from the accessible parking spaces to the facility’s front entrance and to the key areas of the facility.
  • All doorways to and within Accessible Guest Rooms are wheelchair accessible.
  • All hallways and corridors free of any steps or abrupt vertical level changes.
  • All sidewalks and walkways free of any objects that pose a hazard to persons with low vision.
  • Signs on the property include braille and are easy to read and free from reflective material.
  • Door hardware (lever, pull, panic bar, etc.) usable with one hand, without tight grasping, pinching or twisting of the wrist.
  • Fire alarms in the hotel have a visual alarm strobe light.
  • Hotel corridors a minimum of 36” wide
  • Hotel provides proper number of accessible guest rooms stipulated by ADA.
  • Hotel provides valet parking and is able to accommodate special ADA requests.
  • Key card reader positioned so persons who use wheelchairs may approach and operate the opener.
  • No steps or abrupt level changes that will impede access for persons who use wheelchairs, walkers and other mobility aids between accessible guest rooms and common areas.
  • No steps or abrupt level changes that will impede access for persons who use wheelchairs, walkers and other mobility aids between accessible parking and entrance.
  • No steps or abrupt level changes that will impede access for persons who use wheelchairs, walkers and other mobility aids between accessible parking and guest room entry.
  • On-site valet parking.
  • People in need of accessible features can book accessible rooms during the same time and terms that others can reserve rooms.
  • Service animals are allowed at no additional charge.
  • Staff is trained to offer assistance to ensure accessibility.
  • Van accessible valet parking (9ft height cut off).
  • Wheelchair accessible guestroom door entrance, bathroom door entrance, interior doors per ADA standards that allow at least 32” clear passage width so persons using mobility aids can visit or stay. In addition, door hardware (levers, pulls, panic bars) on all entry doors to accessible guestrooms and other passage doors within the rooms are usable with one hand without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist.
  • Lowered bathroom counter height
  • Hearing Impaired Light Alerts with Kit
  • Light/Lamp Controls are Push Button
  • Lower Level Individual Thermostat
  • Lowered Closet Bars and Shelving
  • Fire Alarmed Strobe Lights
  • Visual Alarm Equipped
  • Closed Captioning Television
  • 36″ or More Accessible Path of Travel Around and Between Beds Per ADA Standards
  • Low Level Iron
  • Multi-Level Door Viewers
  • Drapery Control with a 36” Clear Path Within Reach & Lowered Wands
  • Table/Desk Height Accessible with Knee Space 27” (width) and 34″ (height)
  • At Least (1) Power Outlet with a Clear Space in Front, 15” from Ground
  • Power Outlets within 4” of Telephone
  • Communication Kits Available with TTY Machine, Strobe Light, & Visual Door Knocker
  • Visual Alarm – Free Portable Equipment Provided by Hotel
  • Telephone with Visual Call Alert – Free Portable Equipment Provided by Hotel
  • Telephone with Volume Control
  • Door hardware on all entry doors to accessible guestrooms and other passage doors within the room usable with one hand

Bathroom Accessibility Features

  • Grab Bars at Tub With a Tub Seat With Tub Faucet Controls Positioned Between The Center of The End Wall and The Open Side of The Tub So Persons With Disabilities May Approach and Adjust The Controls Before They Transfer Onto The Tub Seat To Bathe, Faucet Controls and Shower Diverter Can Be Turned On and Off Easily and Are Operable and Usable With One Hand, Without Tight Grasping, Pinching or Twisting of The Wrist
  • Grab Bars in Shower with a Shower Seat
  • Additional Portable Shower Seats Upon Request
  • Hand-Held Shower Wand with Shutoff Valve and Temperature Regulator With At Least A 60″ Long Hose Provided So Persons Who Bathe From A Seated Position May Wash And Rinse With The Directional Spray
  • Low-Level Towel Hooks, Racks, or Bars Placed Within 54″ Of The Floor For Side Approach Or 48″ Of The Floor For Forward Approach So Persons Who Use Wheelchairs Can Approach And Use The Towel Racks
  • Lower Mirrors
  • Roll-In Shower That Is Free Of Curbs Or Lips At The Shower Floor Thus Allowing Wheelchair Approach And Transfer Onto The Folding Shower Seat; in addition, Free Of Doors That Would Impede Wheelchair Transfer Onto The Seat, Horizontal Grab Bar On The Wall Opposite The Seat For Stabilization And Aid In Maneuvering While In A Shower Wheelchair, Faucet Controls And Shower Wand Positioned On The Wall Along The Side Of The Shower Seat So They Are Operable From The Folding Shower Seat or From The Shower Wheelchair, Roll-in Shower Has A Securely Fastened Folding Seat At 17″-19″ Above The Floor Onto Which Persons Who Use Wheelchairs May Transfer To Shower
  • Lowered Towel Hooks, Racks, or Bars Placed Within 54″ Of The Floor For Side Approach Or 48″ Of The Floor For Forward Approach So Persons Who Use Wheelchairs Can Approach And Use The Towel Racks
  • Toilet Grab Bars Per ADA Standards
  • Drain and Water Pipes Under Sink are Insulated
  • Wheelchair Accessible Bathroom Facilities
  • Wheelchair Accessible Raised Toilet Per ADA Standards Including Toilet Seat Between 17″-19″ Above The Floor; In Addition, Toilet Is Centered 18″ From The Adjacent Side Wall, Which Is The Distance That Will Permit A Person With A Mobility Impairment To Use The Grab Bars. Accessible Toilet Have A Horizontal Grab Bar On The Adjacent Side wall That Is At Least 40″ Long and Between 33″-36″ Above The Floor For Stabilization and Assistance During Transfer From A Wheelchair; in addition, A Horizontal Grab Bar On The Wall Behind The Toilet That Is At Least 36″ Long and Between 33″-36″ Above The Floor For Stabilization and Assistance During Transfer From A Wheelchair

 Accessible rooms are located within the hotel. In addition, our Alert Plus Kit is available upon request to all guests needing accessible rooms. This kit includes a loud audio fire buzzer and strobe light, vibrating bed alarm clock, a telephone with amplified headset, and a door knock light.

IN-ROOM ACCESSIBLE FEATURES

  • Electric switches and outlets are at a height for total wheelchair accessibility
  • Doors have lever hardware
  • Peepholes are at two different levels
  • Lowered closet rods
  • Push-button nightstand lamps
  • Toilets with seats are at a height for total wheelchair accessibility
  • Bathroom door opening to accommodate a wheelchair
  • Safety bar surrounding shower and toilet
  • Lowered towel bars
  • Accessible sink 
  • Roll-in showers with folding seats (some rooms)
  • Shower spray extension (some rooms)