Accessibility Statement

Empowering Futures, Building Communities Society (EFBCS) is committed to ensuring equal access and meaningful participation for all individuals, including persons with disabilities. We strive to identify and remove barriers to participation in our programs, services, events, communications, and digital platforms.

Our accessibility commitment is guided by the Alberta Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on physical or mental disability in the provision of goods, services, and accommodation. We also draw on the principles of the Accessible Canada Act (S.C. 2019, c. 10) and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 as benchmarks for continuous improvement.

This statement applies to:

• EFBCS's website and digital communications
• In-person programs, events, and community activities
• Printed materials, forms, and public documents
• Volunteer and employment recruitment processes
• Physical spaces used to deliver EFBCS programs and services

EFBCS is working toward meeting the WCAG 2.1 Level AA standard for our website. Our ongoing efforts include:

• Using semantic HTML to support screen readers and assistive technologies
• Providing alternative text for meaningful images
• Ensuring sufficient colour contrast between text and background
• Supporting keyboard navigation throughout the website
• Using clear, plain-language content where possible
• Avoiding content that flashes or causes seizure risk

We acknowledge that some pages or features may not yet fully meet these standards. We are committed to continuous improvement and welcome feedback on any accessibility barriers encountered on our website.

EFBCS works to ensure that our programs and services are accessible to all community members. We make reasonable efforts to:

• Hold events and programs in accessible venues where possible
• Provide materials in alternative formats upon request (e.g., large print, translated documents)
• Offer interpretation and language support where available and requested
• Accommodate individual accessibility needs with reasonable notice
• Train staff and volunteers on inclusive and accessible service delivery

Individuals who require accessibility accommodations to participate in EFBCS programs, services, or events are encouraged to contact us in advance. We will work with you to identify reasonable and appropriate accommodations based on your needs.

Please contact us as early as possible to allow sufficient time to make necessary arrangements. All accommodation requests will be handled respectfully and confidentially.

EFBCS values feedback on accessibility barriers. If you experience or identify an accessibility barrier — on our website, in our programs, or through any of our communications — we encourage you to let us know.

We are committed to acknowledging accessibility concerns promptly and to identifying practical solutions in a timely manner. Feedback may be submitted through our Feedback & Concerns page or by contacting us directly.

For accessibility-related inquiries, accommodation requests, or to report a barrier:

This Accessibility Statement will be reviewed and updated periodically to reflect improvements made and to maintain alignment with evolving legal requirements and accessibility standards. We are committed to ongoing learning and to removing barriers that limit the full participation of all community members.