Accessibility Statement

Our Commitment

The Rural Labor & Economic Development Corporation ("RLEDC") is committed to making rledc.org usable by everyone, including people with disabilities. Accessibility is part of how we deliver our mission: the communities we serve include residents with visual, auditory, motor, speech, and cognitive disabilities, and the information on this site — workforce programs, available properties, incentives, and community data — must reach all of them on equal terms.

We treat accessibility as ongoing work rather than a one-time project. This statement describes where the site stands today, what we know still needs improvement, and how to reach us if something does not work for you.

Conformance Standard

RLEDC works to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level A and Level AA, published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). WCAG 2.1 Level AA is the technical standard adopted by the U.S. Department of Justice under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (28 CFR Part 35, Subpart H) and is the standard referenced in Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act for federally funded programs.

We assess this site as partially conformant with WCAG 2.1 Level AA. Partially conformant means most of the site meets the standard, and the exceptions we are aware of are listed under Known Limitations below.

The Standard and the Regulation

Both documents are hosted on this site so that they can be read without leaving it. Each is a tagged PDF with a proper heading structure, real text, and table headers, so it can be read by a screen reader and searched — the same requirement the documents themselves impose.

• 28 CFR § 35.200 — Requirements for web and mobile accessibility PDF, 2 pages. The Department of Justice rule under Title II of the ADA, text as in effect July 23, 2026, with the compliance deadlines of April 26, 2027 and April 26, 2028 and a note on which applies in Eastern New Mexico.
• WCAG 2.1 Level A and Level AA — Conformance Reference PDF, 6 pages. All fifty success criteria a Level AA claim requires, each with a plain-language statement of what it demands, together with the regulatory basis under the ADA and Section 504 and the five conformance requirements.

The reference document is RLEDC’s summary of the standard, not its normative text. The authoritative Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 are published by the World Wide Web Consortium.

Measures We Take

• Accessibility requirements are considered when pages are designed and written, not added afterward.
• Pages are tested with automated tooling against the WCAG 2.1 A and AA rule set, and reviewed by keyboard-only navigation.
• Color choices are checked for a minimum 4.5:1 contrast ratio for body text and 3:1 for large text and interface components.
• Documents we publish for download are reviewed for readable structure, and alternate formats are provided on request.
• This statement is reviewed at least annually and whenever the site undergoes a substantial change.

Accessibility Features of This Site

• Keyboard access. All navigation, links, buttons, and form fields can be reached and operated with a keyboard alone. A visible focus indicator shows where you are on the page.
• Skip to main content. A skip link is the first item on every page, so keyboard and screen reader users can bypass the navigation.
• Semantic structure. Pages use real headings, lists, tables with header cells, and landmark regions so assistive technology can navigate the content in order.
• Text alternatives. Images that carry meaning have descriptive alternative text; decorative images are hidden from screen readers.
• Readable contrast. Text, badges, and buttons are set to meet or exceed WCAG AA contrast minimums.
• Links identifiable without color. Links inside running text are underlined, so they do not rely on color alone.
• Reduced motion. Animated and auto-advancing content stops for visitors whose systems request reduced motion, and a Pause Motion control is available on pages with moving content.
• Responsive and zoomable. Pages reflow to 320 pixels wide and support 200% text zoom without loss of content or function.
• Descriptive page titles and link text. Each page has a unique title, and links describe their destination.

Known Limitations

We are aware of the following limitations and are working to resolve them:

• Older PDF documents. Some documents published before 2026 — including scanned forms and reports received from third parties — are not fully tagged for screen readers. We will supply an accessible or plain-text version of any document on request, normally within five business days.
• Embedded maps and data widgets. Maps and interactive data tools supplied by outside providers may not be fully keyboard accessible. Where we use them, we also provide the underlying information as text or in a data table.
• Property photographs. Alternative text on some property listing images is brief. We are expanding these descriptions as listings are updated.
• Video captions. Video we produce is captioned. Video embedded from third parties may rely on that provider's automatic captions, which can be less accurate.

Third-Party Content

Portions of this site link to or display content that RLEDC does not control, including state and federal agency websites, partner organization sites, listing services, and font and mapping services. We cannot guarantee the accessibility of external websites. If you encounter a barrier on a resource we have linked to, please tell us — we will help you obtain the information another way and, where we can, raise the issue with the provider.

Alternate Formats & Assistance

If any information on this site is not accessible to you, we will provide it in another format at no cost. Available formats include large print, plain text, accessible electronic documents, and reading the information to you by telephone. We can also take applications, property submissions, and program inquiries verbally rather than through an online form.

To request an alternate format, contact us using the information below and tell us what you need and how to reach you. We respond to accessibility requests within five business days and, when a request will take longer to fulfill, we will tell you when to expect it.

Feedback & Reporting a Barrier

We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of rledc.org. If you encounter a barrier, please let us know. It helps us if you can include:

• The web address (URL) of the page.
• A description of the problem and what you were trying to do.
• The browser, device, and any assistive technology you were using.
• How you would like us to reach you with a response.

We aim to acknowledge accessibility feedback within five business days and to describe how and when we will address the issue.

Program Accessibility & Nondiscrimination

RLEDC does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its programs, services, or activities. Reasonable modifications to policies and procedures, and auxiliary aids and services, are available on request to enable participation by individuals with disabilities. Requests for accommodation at a meeting or event should be made as far in advance as possible, and at least three business days beforehand where practical, so we can make arrangements.

Board meetings are held in an accessible location. If you need an accommodation to attend or participate in a board meeting, contact us using the information below.

Contact Us

Accessibility questions, requests, and complaints may be directed to the Executive Director, who serves as the organization's accessibility contact:

Rural Labor & Economic Development Corporation
Attention: Executive Director — Accessibility
Tucumcari, New Mexico
Telephone: (575) 708-0083
Email: isabelle@rledc.org

New Mexico Relay Service is available for callers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability: dial 711, or 1-800-659-1779 (TTY).