Accessibility Statement

Our Commitment to Accessibility

NAQDA is dedicated to ensuring that our online services are accessible to all citizens, including persons with disabilities, in line with Sri Lankan digital governance standards and international best practices. We strive to comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA, as recommended for government websites, and the National Policy on Universal Electronic Accessibility.

1. Accessibility Standards

Our website design, content, and features aim to be usable with assistive technologies and accessible across various devices and browsers. We follow these international and national standards:

• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA
• Sri Lankan National Policy on Universal Electronic Accessibility
• Government of Sri Lanka ICT Agency Guidelines
• ISO/IEC 40500:2012 Information technology standards
• Section 508 Standards (international reference)

2. Accessibility Features

We have implemented the following accessibility features to ensure all users can access our content:

3. Language Accessibility

We have made our information available in Sinhala, Tamil, and English, and we endeavor to ensure accessibility in all languages. This includes:

• Trilingual content (සිංහල, தமிழ், English)
• Proper font support for each language
• Clear language switching mechanism
• Consistent navigation in all languages
• Culturally appropriate content presentation

4. Navigation and Structure

Our website uses clear and consistent navigation to help all users find information easily:

• Logical page structure with proper heading hierarchy
• Descriptive page titles and headings
• Breadcrumb navigation where appropriate
• Site map for comprehensive overview
• Search functionality with filters
• Skip navigation links for screen reader users

5. Forms and Interactive Elements

All forms and interactive elements are designed with accessibility in mind:

• Clear labels for all form fields
• Error messages that are descriptive and helpful
• Keyboard accessible form controls
• Clear focus indicators
• Adequate time limits with extensions available
• Instructions provided before form fields

6. Multimedia Content

Where multimedia content is provided, we ensure accessibility through:

• Captions for videos
• Audio descriptions where necessary
• Transcripts for audio content
• Controls that are keyboard accessible
• Ability to pause, stop, or hide moving content

7. Documents and Downloads

Downloadable documents are provided in accessible formats:

• PDF documents with proper tagging
• Alternative formats available upon request
• Document properties include title and language
• Reading order is logical and correct

8. Testing and Monitoring

NAQDA regularly reviews the site to address any accessibility issues and improve user experience for everyone. Our testing includes:

• Automated accessibility testing tools
• Manual testing with keyboard navigation
• Screen reader testing
• User testing with persons with disabilities
• Regular accessibility audits
• Continuous monitoring and improvements

9. Known Limitations

While we strive for full accessibility, some areas may have limitations:

• Older PDF documents may not be fully accessible
• Some third-party content may not meet our standards
• Legacy systems integration may have limitations

We are actively working to address these limitations and improve accessibility across all content.

10. Browser and Assistive Technology Support

Our website is tested and supported on:

• Modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
• JAWS (Job Access With Speech)
• NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access)
• VoiceOver (iOS and macOS)
• TalkBack (Android)
• Dragon NaturallySpeaking