Accessibility Statement

Our Commitment

Whitestone Trust Credit Union is committed to providing a website and digital banking experience that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of technology or ability. We are actively working to increase the accessibility and usability of our website and, in doing so, adhere to recognised accessibility standards and guidelines.

We believe that every person has the right to live with dignity, equality, comfort, and independence. Accessibility is an ongoing effort, and we view it as a continuous process of improvement rather than a one-time achievement.

Standards and Guidelines

We strive to conform with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 at Level AA. These guidelines, developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), provide a shared standard for web accessibility that meets the needs of individuals, organisations, and governments internationally.

The WCAG 2.1 Level AA guidelines are organised around four core principles, which state that websites should be:

• Perceivable: Information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive, including through text alternatives for non-text content, captions for multimedia, and content that can be presented in different ways without losing meaning.
• Operable: User interface components and navigation must be operable, meaning all functionality must be available from a keyboard, users must have enough time to read and use content, and content must not cause seizures or physical reactions.
• Understandable: Information and the operation of the user interface must be understandable, with readable text, predictable web page behaviour, and input assistance to help users avoid and correct mistakes.
• Robust: Content must be robust enough to be reliably interpreted by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies such as screen readers.

Accessibility Features of Our Website

We have incorporated the following accessibility features into our website to support users with different needs:

Keyboard Navigation

All interactive elements on our website, including navigation menus, buttons, form fields, and links, are fully operable using only a keyboard. Users can navigate using the Tab key to move forward and Shift + Tab to move backward through interactive elements. The current focus is clearly indicated with a visible outline.

Semantic HTML Structure

Our pages are built with semantic HTML5 elements, including proper heading hierarchies, ARIA landmarks (banner, navigation, main, contentinfo), and descriptive labels. This structure enables screen readers and other assistive technologies to interpret and navigate the content accurately and efficiently.

Text Alternatives

All images on our website include descriptive alt text. Decorative images are marked appropriately so that screen readers can skip them. Icons are accompanied by text labels or have accessible names that describe their purpose.

Colour and Contrast

Our colour palette has been chosen to provide sufficient contrast between text and background colours, meeting WCAG 2.1 Level AA contrast ratio requirements. Colour is never used as the sole means of conveying information — additional indicators such as text labels, icons, or patterns are always present.

Responsive and Scalable Design

Our website is fully responsive and adapts to different screen sizes and orientations. Content remains readable and functional when zoomed up to 200% without loss of information or functionality. Text can be resized using browser controls without breaking the page layout.

Form Labels and Error Handling

All form fields have clear, descriptive labels. Error messages are clearly identified and provide specific guidance on how to correct mistakes. Required fields are explicitly marked, and successful form submissions are confirmed with clear feedback messages.

Skip Navigation

A "skip to main content" link is available at the top of each page, allowing keyboard and screen reader users to bypass repetitive navigation elements and go directly to the page's primary content.

Accessible Forms and Controls

All form inputs, buttons, and interactive controls have accessible names and roles. Custom components, such as accordions and tabs, follow WAI-ARIA best practices to ensure they work correctly with assistive technologies.

Ongoing Efforts

We recognise that digital accessibility is a journey, not a destination. Our accessibility efforts include:

• Regular automated and manual accessibility audits of our website
• Testing with assistive technologies including screen readers, screen magnifiers, and voice recognition software
• Incorporating accessibility requirements into our design and development processes
• Training our development and content teams on accessibility best practices
• Monitoring and responding to accessibility feedback from users

Known Limitations

Despite our best efforts, there may be areas of our website that do not yet meet our accessibility targets. We are actively working to address known issues and welcome feedback on areas where we can improve. Current areas of focus include:

• Improving the accessibility of some interactive charts and data visualisations on our dashboard
• Enhancing keyboard navigation within complex form components
• Continuing to refine colour contrast in certain interface states

Third-Party Content

Our website may include links to third-party websites, plugins, or content that we do not control. While we strive to work with partners who share our commitment to accessibility, we cannot guarantee the accessibility of third-party content. We encourage you to review the accessibility statements of any third-party services you access through our website.

Feedback and Contact

We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of our website. If you encounter any accessibility barriers, have suggestions for improvement, or require information in an alternative format, please let us know. We take all feedback seriously and will make every reasonable effort to address your concerns.

You can reach our accessibility team through the following channels:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: +1 (800) 555-0199
• Mail: Accessibility Team, Whitestone Trust Credit Union, 1201 North Market Street, Wilmington, DE 19801, United States

We aim to acknowledge accessibility feedback within 2 business days and provide a substantive response within 10 business days. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact your local equality or human rights authority.

Accessibility Support

If you need assistance using our website or online banking services due to a disability, our customer support team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our representatives can assist with account inquiries, transactions, and navigating the website over the phone. Call +1 (800) 555-0199 for immediate assistance.