Accessibility
What we are aiming for
This site is built to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA.
Ontario’s AODA requires public websites to meet WCAG 2.0 AA for organizations with 50 or more employees. The parade is run by a volunteer committee and is below that threshold, so the rule does not apply to us.
We meet the newer AA standard anyway, because the parade is for everyone and the website should be too.
The one accessibility duty that does apply to us regardless of size is the requirement to have a feedback process people can actually use, and to provide information in accessible formats on request. Both are on the contact page.
What we have done
- Every focusable element has a visible focus indicator, and the focus ring is treated as part of the design rather than an afterthought.
- Text is never placed directly on a photograph. Every headline over an image sits on a scrim that guarantees a contrast floor.
- The route is published as text first and a map second. Previously it existed only as an untagged screenshot of a PDF, which meant a screen reader user could not find out where the parade goes.
- Every colour pairing on the site is computed rather than eyeballed, and checked automatically before anything ships.
- Motion is restrained, nothing autoplays, and everything respects the reduced-motion setting in your operating system.
- Forms use persistent labels, mark required fields in words, and describe errors as instructions rather than diagnostics.
- Photographs cannot be published without alt text in both English and French.
- The site works at 200% zoom without horizontal scrolling, and body text never drops below 16px on a phone.
Known limitations
Here is what we know is not right yet.
- The route map has not been redrawn. The route is complete and accurate in text, but the clean SVG map that should accompany it does not exist yet. Until it does, the map area is empty.
- Historic photographs are missing alt text. Frames added to the archive before this rebuild are being described as we work through them. Anything without a description in both languages stays unpublished.
- Some archive documents are untagged PDFs. Older press releases and award agendas were scanned rather than exported. Ask us and we will send you the content in a readable format.
- The large-print route PDF is not published yet. Request it and we will send the current version by email.
Third-party content
Two parts of this site are not ours and we cannot guarantee their accessibility, though we have checked both:
- Stripe Checkout handles float registration payment. Card details never touch the parade’s systems.
- Embedded maps, where used, come from a third-party provider. The text route description is always available as an alternative and is the authoritative version.
Accessible formats
Any information on this site is available in an accessible format or with communication supports, on request, at no extra cost. That includes large print, plain text, or someone reading it to you over the phone. We aim to send it within five business days.
Tell us when we get it wrong
If something here does not work for you, we want to know — and we would rather hear about it than have you give up on the page. Feedback goes to a named person on the committee, not an unattended inbox.
- Email info@sudburysantaclausparade.com
- The contact form, choosing “Accessibility”
- Facebook or Instagram message
The parade has no office, no phone line and no mailing address — it is a committee of volunteers, supported by the City of Greater Sudbury and Downtown Sudbury BIA. That means every way of reaching us is a written one. If writing is not workable for you, say so through any channel above and a committee member will phone you back.
We aim to reply within two business days, and we will tell you what we are doing about it rather than simply thanking you for the feedback.
Attending the parade
This page is about the website. For accessible viewing areas, parking, washrooms, quiet stretches of route and how to request an accommodation on the night, see accessible viewing.