Accessibility Statement

We've tried hard to make the Bayfield County Web site as user-friendly and as accessible as possible. See below for a list of specific steps we've taken. However, if you find the site difficult to navigate or use, please don't hesitate to contact us and let us know how we can make your browsing experience better.

Specifics

Here are the specific things we've done to make it as easy as possible for you to use this site:

Access keys

Access keys are implemented throughout the Bayfield County Web site. They are designated with an underlined letter in a link. Not all links have corresponding access keys. Learn more about using access keys.

Semantic code

Semantic code uses html elements for their given purpose. Well structured HTML will have semantic meaning for a wide range of users and user agents (browsers without style sheets, text browsers, PDAs, search engines etc.)

Valid xhtml/css

All of our code is valid xhtml 1.0 strict according to the W3C validator.

Static URIs

Very little is more frustrating than thinking you've finally found the information you've been searching for, only to get an error instead because of a broken link. The Bayfield County site uses all static page addresses so that when you bookmark one of our pages, you know it'll stay bookmarked. For page names that are changing, a manual redirect page will remain in place for at least eighteen months, ensuring that you have plenty of time to update your files.

Sensible copy

How many times have you read or heard something like, "It was decided that it will be proclaimed that..." It's language like this that helps reinforce the idea of government as an anonymous maze of bureaucratic red tape. Well, no more passive voice for us! Not only are we removing passive voice from this Web site, we're working hard to make our writing friendly, conversational, and gramatically correct. Now we know there are some of you out there (Mom) who delight in informing us about mispellings, typos, and grammer bombs; we'd appreciate you holding yourselves to one e-mail per week. The rest of you, have at it!

Common sense links

We've tried not to make links to mysterious places like this. Instead, you'll find that the words that are linked are generally a description of what you'll find when you follow the hyperlink. Furthermore, we've tried to provide a few links to useful or relevant information, but not overload you with information.