Using this site
Accessibility statement
Everyone in Vancouver should be able to pay a bill, find a permit, report a concern or check a council agenda online. If something on this site gets in your way, we want to hear about it and fix it.
Our standard
We build to WCAG 2.2 Level AA and keep checking
This site aims to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 at Level AA. That is the widely used standard for making websites work with screen readers, keyboards, magnification and other tools people rely on.
Pages change often, with new meeting agendas, news and service updates. We review content as it changes, not just once at launch, so new pages follow the same rules as the old ones.
- Works on phones, tablets and computers
- Usable with a keyboard, screen reader or zoom
- Written in plain language wherever we can
15.1%
of Vancouver residents identify as having a disability.
16.6%
speak a language other than English at home, including Spanish (7%), other Indo-European languages (4.4%) and Asian and Pacific Island languages (3.8%).
Built in
What works on every page
These features are part of the site’s templates, so staff updating a page don’t have to add them by hand.
Keyboard navigation and skip links
You can reach every link, button and form field with the Tab key. A “Skip to content” link at the top of every page lets you jump past the menu.
Visible focus outlines
A clear outline shows where you are on the page as you move through it, so you never lose your place.
Alt text for images
Photos and graphics that carry meaning have text descriptions that screen readers read aloud. Decorative images are skipped.
Clear heading structure
Each page has one main heading and sections in order, so screen reader users can scan a page by its headings.
Color contrast that meets AA
Text and buttons stand out from their backgrounds, and we never use color alone to show meaning.
Español, Русский and Tiếng Việt
Language links at the top of every page let you switch to Spanish, Russian or Vietnamese, the languages most spoken at home in Vancouver after English.
Tell us
Report a barrier or ask for another format
If a page, form or document doesn’t work for you, or you need information in large print, another language or another format, send us a note through the contact form.
- Tell us the page. Paste the web address or describe where you were, such as “the utility bill payment page.”
- Describe the problem. Say what you were trying to do and what got in the way, and mention any tool you use, like a screen reader or magnifier.
- Choose how you’d like a reply. Let us know if you prefer email or a phone call, and the format or language that works best for you.
- We follow up. A staff member reads every report, gets you the information you need, and passes the problem to the team that can fix it.
You don’t need to know any technical terms. A short description in your own words is enough for us to get started.
Found something that doesn’t work for you?
Use the contact form to report the barrier or request another format, and we’ll get back to you.