Electronic and Information Resources Accessibility Policy
The Office of the Texas Secretary of State is firmly committed to making its Web site accessible to all of its users.
As a result, we are dedicated to following the guidelines established by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), legislative requirements provided by the Federal Government's Section 508 standards, and the definition of a generally accessible Internet site as defined in the Texas Administrative Code Section 206 - State Web Sites. As part of our commitment, each new web page or application is reviewed and evaluated utilizing various validation resources prior to its release. Additionally, we have also included features that are designed to improve accessibility for users with disabilities. Several of these features are described below.
- Incorporated CSS to control our web site's style and in some cases layout.
- We have supplied all of our site’s images with Alt tags, short descriptions of the image, which aid users who listen to the content of the site by using a screen reader, rather than reading the site.
- A 'skip to' link provides our users with a method for bypassing the header and main navigation links and going directly to the main content of that page each time it is accessed.
- We have implemented the use of headings, lists and web site structure in a consistent manner.
- Using hypertext links that make sense when read out of context rather than utilizing broad language such as "click here."
- Applying summaries to tables and creating them in a manner that allows for line by line reading.
- Providing alternatives in cases where content may not be easily accessed or accessible.
Some of the content that exists on this site was produced before these guidelines were developed and incorporated into our policy. However, we are in the process of developing and maintaining a Corrective Action Plan that will help ensure that older web pages and applications are brought into compliance as content is modified or issues are identified as referenced in TAC206(c). In accordance with TAC 213, our agency has assigned an Accessibility Coordinator to help support and maintain the agency's Policy and Corrective Action Plan along with assisting with any other accessibility related issues and concerns. On a related note, under special circumstances, the agency's Accessibility Coordinator may submit exceptions to this policy for consideration which can only be granted by the Executive Director.
The Office of the Texas Secretary of State welcomes comments on how to make our web site more accessible to individuals living with a disability. If you are using assistive technology and the format of any of the material presented on our web site interferes with your ability to access the desired information, please contact the Office of the Texas Secretary of State immediately. To enable us to respond in a manner most helpful to you, please indicate the nature of your accessibility problem, the desired format in which you would prefer to receive the material, the web address of the requested material and your contact information.
Information Regarding Visiting or Contacting the Texas Secretary of State
The Office of the Texas Secretary of State provides services for the disabled as needed in regards to individuals visiting or contacting the agency. Any individual with special needs and auxiliary services in regards to their visit is asked to contact the agency's Accessibility Coordinator at (512) 463-5637 so that arrangements may be made. Telephone, physical and mailing address information along with accessible entrances is available on this web site.
Related Links
The Statewide Accessibility Web site is a useful resource for centralized for state related accessibility information. Additional information about accessibility programs in Texas is available from the Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities.
