Accessibility Statement | The Verbalvibe Collective

Accessibility Statement for The VerbalVibe Collective Poets Guild Inc.

Effective Date: June 9, 2025
Website: verbalvibecollective.com
Organization: The VerbalVibe Collective Poets Guild Inc. (The VVC Guild)
Contact: LaBlaque Williams, Executive Director, [email TBD], [phone TBD], 310 Utah Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89104

Our Commitment to Accessibility

The VerbalVibe Collective Poets Guild Inc. (The VVC Guild), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Las Vegas, Nevada, is dedicated to empowering poets, spoken word artists, and creatives through inclusive programs like Poetry Parquets, The Poets Ball, Vibe & Voice workshops, and community fundraisers (e.g., Raise the Roof). We are committed to ensuring our interactive website, verbalvibecollective.com, is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities, in alignment with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA.

Our goal is to provide an equitable digital experience for everyone, regardless of visual, auditory, motor, cognitive, or other disabilities, so you can engage with our events, donate to our mission (e.g., $15,000 GoFundMe for roof repairs), sign up for memberships, or explore our content with ease.

Accessibility Features

We strive to incorporate accessibility best practices into our website, including:

Text Alternatives: Alt text for images (e.g., Poetry Parquet posters, Vibe & Voice photos) to support screen readers.
Keyboard Navigation: Full site functionality via keyboard for users with motor impairments (e.g., navigating ticket forms, donation pages).
Color Contrast: High-contrast text and backgrounds (e.g., white on dark gray) to aid users with visual impairments.
Resizable Text: Support for browser text resizing without loss of functionality.
Captions and Transcripts: Captions for videos (e.g., TikTok Speak-A-Thon clips, YouTube event highlights) and transcripts for audio content (e.g., LaBlaque MC’s welcome message).
Clear Structure: Semantic HTML, headings, and ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) landmarks for screen reader compatibility.
Form Accessibility: Labeled forms (e.g., membership sign-ups, newsletter subscriptions) with error messages readable by assistive technologies.
Social Media Integration: Accessible embeds for Instagram/TikTok/X/YouTube (

@VVCGuild

) posts, where platform limitations allow.

Ongoing Efforts

We are actively working to enhance accessibility by:

Conducting regular audits using automated tools (e.g., WAVE, axe) and manual testing with assistive technologies (e.g., NVDA, VoiceOver).
Training our web team and volunteers on WCAG 2.1 standards to ensure accessible content (e.g., alt text for The Poets Ball images).
Collaborating with accessibility consultants (budgeted at $500-$1,000/year, starting 2026) to address complex issues.
Monitoring user feedback to identify and resolve barriers promptly.

Known Limitations

While we aim for full WCAG 2.1 AA compliance, some areas may have limitations:

Third-Party Content: Social media embeds (e.g., Instagram/TikTok/X) or payment processors (e.g., PayPal, 2.9% + $0.30 nonprofit rate) may not fully meet accessibility standards, as they are controlled by external providers.
Older Content: Some archived videos or PDFs (e.g., early Vibe & Voice flyers) may lack captions or alt text, which we are updating by December 31, 2025.
Dynamic Features: Interactive elements (e.g., event calendars, donation sliders) may occasionally pose challenges for screen readers, pending vendor updates (e.g., WordPress plugins).

We are prioritizing fixes for these issues and welcome your feedback to guide our efforts.

Feedback and Assistance

If you encounter accessibility barriers on our website (e.g., issues with screen readers, keyboard navigation, or form submissions), please contact us so we can assist and improve:

Email: [email TBD] (include “Accessibility Issue” in the subject line).
Phone: [phone TBD] (available Monday-Friday, 9 AM-5 PM PDT).
Mail: The VerbalVibe Collective Poets Guild Inc., Attn: LaBlaque Williams, 310 Utah Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89104.

Please provide details about the issue (e.g., page URL, device, assistive technology) and your preferred contact method. We aim to respond within 5 business days and resolve issues within 30 days, where feasible.

For immediate assistance (e.g., accessing event tickets, donating), our team can provide alternative formats (e.g., phone-based ticketing, PDF forms) or accommodations.

Event Accessibility

For in-person events (e.g., Heritage Poetry Parquet, February 10, 2026, at The Spot

@310

; The Poets Ball, October 25, 2025), we strive to ensure physical and programmatic accessibility:

Venues (e.g., The Spot

@310

, West Las Vegas Arts Center) are ADA-compliant with wheelchair access, accessible restrooms, and parking.
Accommodations (e.g., ASL interpreters, large-print programs) are available upon request with 14 days’ notice via [email TBD].
Youth programs (Vibe & Voice, ages 13-17) include accommodations for participants with disabilities, coordinated with parental consent.

Compliance and Legal

This Accessibility Statement reflects our commitment to ADA compliance and WCAG 2.1 AA standards. We operate under U.S. and Nevada laws, ensuring our website and services are inclusive. If you believe we are not meeting accessibility requirements, please contact us first to resolve concerns. You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice (www.ada.gov) (www.ada.gov) or Nevada Equal Rights Commission (702-486-7161).

Updates to This Statement

We may update this Accessibility Statement to reflect improvements, user feedback, or legal changes. Updates will be posted on verbalvibecollective.com with a revised effective date. Check this page periodically for the latest information.

For accessibility questions, feedback, or assistance, please reach out:

The VerbalVibe Collective Poets Guild Inc.
Attn: LaBlaque Williams, Executive Director
310 Utah Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89104
Email: [email TBD]
Phone: [phone TBD]

Thank you for helping us make The VVC Guild’s website and programs accessible to all!