Our Commitment

Shameka Sawyer is committed to ensuring that shamekasawyer.com is accessible to all visitors, including people with disabilities. We believe that everyone deserves equal access to information and the ability to engage with our content, services, and community programs.

We are actively working to increase the accessibility and usability of this website in conformance with applicable standards. Our goal is to meet or exceed the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1.

Accessibility Standards

WCAG 2.1 Level AA

This website aims to conform to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA — the internationally recognized standard for web accessibility and the benchmark referenced by the ADA for digital compliance.

Perceivable

  • All non-text content includes descriptive alternative text
  • Color is not used as the only means of conveying information
  • Text maintains a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 against backgrounds
  • Text can be resized up to 200% without loss of content or functionality

Operable

  • All functionality is accessible via keyboard navigation
  • A "Skip to main content" link is provided at the top of every page
  • No content flashes more than three times per second
  • Pages include descriptive titles that identify the topic or purpose
  • Focus indicators are visible for keyboard navigation

Understandable

  • The language of the page is programmatically identified
  • Navigation is consistent across pages
  • Form fields include clear labels and error messages
  • Content is written in clear, plain language

Robust

  • Pages use valid, well-structured HTML5 with proper semantic markup
  • ARIA landmark roles are used where appropriate
  • The site is compatible with current screen readers including NVDA, JAWS, and VoiceOver

Accessibility Features on This Site

  • Semantic HTML structure — headings, landmarks, and lists are used correctly to support screen reader navigation
  • Keyboard accessibility — all interactive elements are reachable and operable via keyboard
  • Skip navigation link — allows keyboard and screen reader users to bypass navigation and jump directly to main content
  • Descriptive alt text — images include meaningful alternative text descriptions
  • Visible focus indicators — present for all interactive elements
  • Responsive design — fully functional across mobile, tablet, and desktop
  • No auto-play media — video content requires user action to play
  • Accessible contact form — our inquiry form includes labeled fields and accessible error handling

Known Limitations

  • Third-party video content — Videos hosted on YouTube and Facebook may have limited captioning. We encourage use of the caption controls available within those platforms and are working to ensure all featured video content includes accurate closed captions.
  • PDF documents — Any downloadable PDFs linked from this site may not yet be fully optimized for screen reader accessibility. We are working to remediate these as they are identified.
  • Older embedded content — Some third-party embeds or links may not fully conform to WCAG 2.1 AA. We have limited control over external site accessibility but will use accessible alternatives wherever possible.

ADA Compliance

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in places of public accommodation. Courts and the Department of Justice have increasingly interpreted this to include websites and digital services.

We take our obligations under the ADA seriously. If you are experiencing barriers accessing any content or service on this website, please contact us immediately. We are committed to providing equal access and will work with you to find an accessible alternative solution.

Shameka Sawyer and its affiliated organizations — 5 Shorts Project LLC and Sunkissed Group LLC — are committed to nondiscrimination in all digital communications and programming.

Assistive Technology Compatibility

  • Screen readers: NVDA (Windows), JAWS (Windows), VoiceOver (macOS/iOS), TalkBack (Android)
  • Voice control software: Dragon NaturallySpeaking, Voice Control (macOS)
  • Keyboard-only navigation: All functionality accessible without a mouse
  • Browser zoom: Content remains functional and readable at up to 200% zoom
  • High contrast mode: Content is viewable in Windows High Contrast Mode

Third-Party Content

This website links to and embeds content from third-party platforms including YouTube, Facebook, and JotForm. While we select partners with strong accessibility practices, we cannot guarantee full WCAG compliance for all third-party content. If you encounter an accessibility barrier on a third-party platform linked from this site, we encourage you to also contact that platform directly.

Feedback & Continuous Improvement

Web accessibility is an ongoing effort. We regularly review this site and update our practices as technology and standards evolve. We welcome your feedback — if you find any content or functionality that is inaccessible, please contact us. We aim to respond to all accessibility feedback within 2 business days.