Accessibility Statement

Our approach to accessibility is guided by disability justice, as described by Sins Invalid in Skin, Tooth, and Bone (2019). Disability justice was developed by disabled people of color and recognizes that ableism is deeply connected to racism, colonialism, capitalism, patriarchy, and other forms of oppression. From this view, access is not just an individual need; Rather, it is something we build together, rooted in care, shared responsibility, and interdependence.

What access looks like on this site

We work to reduce barriers and expand access by:

• Plain Language: Using plain language to make information clearer and more usable
• Dictionary: Offering definitions of key terms used in the website in plain language 
• Screen Readable: Designing content to be compatible with screen readers
• Image Description: Including image descriptions and alt text
• Easy Read: Providing Easy Read summaries on blog posts
• Easily Navigatable Web Set-up: Structuring content to support readability and navigation
• Language Justice: Working with a disabled Spanish translator (instead of AI) to expand linguistic access

Arts as Access

We recognize that the arts featured on this website are part of its accessibility measures as well.
Thinking about extreme weather and disasters is scary, and learning about the lack of support for disability communities can be anxiety-provoking. Yet, reading/listening about extreme weather is important so that we can prepare for it.
This is why we reached out to the Chicago-based artist, Emily Nott, and requested art that gives us hope and is also cute, so that people want to visit this website and explore it with a lightened heart. Please visit the “People” page to learn more about Emily.

Access as an ongoing practice

We do not treat accessibility as a checklist or a finished state. In line with disability justice, we understand access as an ongoing, relational practice that requires flexibility, accountability, and responsiveness to people’s lived expertise.

We know this site will not meet everyone’s access needs all of the time, and we are committed to continuing to improve.

Feedback and accountability

If you encounter barriers on this site, or if you have suggestions for how we can do access better, we welcome your feedback. 

You can contact us at:nishidaa@uic.edu