Accessibility

BetKiwi is designed for everyone, and accessibility is one of our key operating principles. Learn more about our efforts to make the platform inclusive for all our readers.

BetKiwi’s Accessibility Statement

At BetKiwi, we believe that the web is a universal resource meant to be shared by all. Our commitment to accessibility is rooted in our core values of diversity, inclusivity, and equality. We recognise the importance of providing a welcoming, user-friendly digital experience, which is why we’re dedicated to making our platform accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities.

To achieve this, we diligently work to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2. Whether you’re navigating our site with a screen reader, using alternative input devices, or have other specific browsing preferences, our goal is to offer a seamless and enjoyable browsing experience for everyone. We are also constantly looking to improve our services and make our site run better on a wide variety of devices.

Our team is always open to feedback and suggestions, as we believe in creating a barrier-free digital space where every user can find the information they need easily and intuitively.

Understanding WCAG

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are a set of internationally recognised standards created by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) to ensure digital content is accessible to all individuals, including those with disabilities. They provide a comprehensive framework aimed at making the web more inclusive by eliminating access barriers.

How WCAG is Structured

The latest version of WCAG, 2.2, organises 13 comprehensive guidelines into four main principles (often abbreviated as POUR):

Perceivable: Content must be presented in a way that users can perceive it without barriers. Examples include providing alt text for images, video captions, and sufficient colour contrast.
Operable: Users must be able to interact with and navigate the site easily. This principle includes keyboard navigation, clear navigation menus, and giving users sufficient time to complete tasks.
Robust: Content should be compatible with a range of devices, including assistive technologies like screen readers, ensuring that users with disabilities can interact with the website.
Understandable: Content must be clear and comprehensible. This includes using plain language, consistent navigation, and providing input assistance like error suggestions.

WCAG Levels of Accessibility

WCAG defines three levels of accessibility that websites can achieve:

Level A (Minimum Accessibility): This basic status means the site meets only the most essential accessibility features, like providing alternative text and keyboard navigation.
Level AA (Intermediate Accessibility): A more comprehensive standard with improved navigation and more accessible forms.
Level AAA (Advanced Accessibility): This is the highest achievable tier. It requires strict compliance with all guidelines, including enhanced colour contrast, sign language interpretation, and easier content comprehension.

Accessibility Challenges & How We Are Addressing Them

In our commitment to inclusivity, BetKiwi targets the following user challenges:

• Visual impairments
• Motor disabilities
• Hearing impairments
• Cognitive disabilities
• Technological barriers
• Speech disabilities

At BetKiwi, we are actively working towards WCAG 2.2 AAA compliance. We welcome any feedback and commentary on the accessibility of our website as we continuously strive to improve and provide an inclusive experience for everyone. The following paragraphs present a detailed outline of our actions and plans for full WCAG compatibility.

Accessible Content & Design Features

Content and design are essential WCAG components that can significantly improve accessibility. Here is how Betkiwi approaches both to create the best user experience for all our readers.

Alt Text for Images

Every image featured on our platform includes detailed alternative text. This practice aids those using assistive technologies by describing images vividly so that no user misses out on any visual content.

Intuitive and Uniform Site Structure

Our design philosophy emphasises simplicity and consistency. The Betkiwi website was crafted with a uniform layout across all pages. Navigation is intuitive, with strategically placed menus and standardised page frameworks that foster familiarity and ease of use.

Streamlined Navigation Options

We incorporate ‘Skip to Content’ anchor links on every piece of content we publish. Each is clearly marked and easy to use, allowing those with assistive technologies to navigate easily to key sections without unnecessary scrolling.

Optimised & Accessible Forms

We make sure that all forms on our site, from registration to feedback, are accessible. This includes clear labelling and dynamic error handling to guide users through correct form completion.

Logical Content Structuring

Our content is organised using clear and simple headings to facilitate ease of reading and navigation. We utilise logical hierarchies to aid comprehension and enhance readability for screen reader users.

Direct Communication & Clear Language

We are committed to clarity and precision in all forms of communication At Betkiwi, content is crafted to be straightforward and engaging, with a layout designed for ease of reading and comprehension. We also use plain language to ensure our casino and sportsbook reviews are accessible to all users, regardless of their English proficiency. Our goal is to communicate clearly and directly, avoiding complex jargon.

Embracing Assistive Technologies

Our next major focus at BetKiwi is the adoption of several assistive technologies. Here’s what we plan to implement:

Enhanced Support for Screen Readers

We’re currently working on integrating comprehensive semantic HTML and ARIA labels across our website. The objective is to enhance accessibility and usability for visually impaired users, allowing them to navigate and interact with our content fully and independently through screen readers.

Implementation of Voice Navigation

Betkiwi is looking to incorporate voice navigation capabilities so that users can operate our site using voice commands. This technology will enable a variety of hands-free actions, including dictating text and navigating between pages.

Support for Alternative Input Devices

We’re also looking to enhance compatibility with alternative input devices like head pointers, mouth sticks, and specialised switches.

BetKiwi’s Compliance Status

Although we’ve already implemented several accessibility measures and continue to develop more, we’re still working towards obtaining the WCAG badge. Our goal is to achieve the WCAG 2.2 AAAI level of compliance as soon as possible. So far, we’ve:

Implemented comprehensive alt text for better image accessibility.
Standardised site layout and navigation to enhance user familiarity and ease.
Added ‘Skip to Content’ links across all content for easier access.
Designed all forms with clear labels and error guidance for user-friendly interaction.
Structured content with clear headings for improved readability.
Committed to using clear and concise language in all content to ensure understanding.
Adopted simple language in reviews to accommodate all levels of English proficiency.

In the near future, we plan to:

Integrate semantic HTML and ARIA labels to boost screen reader functionality.
Develop voice navigation features for hands-free site interaction.
Enhance compatibility with alternative input devices such as head pointers and mouth sticks.
Refine keyboard navigation by optimising tab order and ensuring all interactive elements are accessible without a mouse, complete with clear focus indicators.
Add captions and audio descriptions to multimedia to aid users who are deaf, hard of hearing, or visually impaired.
Enhance error identification and recovery mechanisms to provide clearer, actionable error messages.

Your Feedback is Important to Us

At BetKiwi, we’re committed to understanding and meeting our users’ needs through open communication. Our dedicated team monitors interactions on our site, collecting insights from surveys and forums to inform necessary enhancements. If you encounter accessibility challenges or have feedback, we encourage you to get in touch. Please visit our Contact Us page and reach out today.

Additional Accessibility Resources

Looking for more information? Check out the following useful resources:

• What’s New in WCAG 2.2
• Web Accessibility Evaluation Tools List
• Web Accessibility Guidance NZ