Accessibility Policy

(Portions of this guideline were adapted from various sources, including accessibility guidelines and policies adopted by the State of Texas.)

Helpinsure.com and the Texas Department of Insurance are committed to making this Web site accessible to the widest possible audience, including people with visual disabilities using screen-reading software.

Accessibility and Usability Features

As part of that commitment, we are continually working to make all our Web pages more accessible. Some of the accessibility and usability features we have provided include:

1. Text and Textual Equivalents - We try to ensure that alternative text (ALT tags) are provided for all non-text elements used on our Web site.
2. Documents Not Tied to Hardware - Our Web pages are designed and tested to be usable by people without a mouse, with only voice or text output and with alternative keyboards. A majority of documents on our Web site are in HTML.

Testing for Accessibility

We have tested our Web page design with screen readers and other web accessibility tools. As a result, we have made changes to improve the site's accessibility for users with disabilities.

Our guidelines call for:

1.  Following current web standards for HTML 4.0,  and  Cascading Style Sheets (CSS1), while maintaining Accessibility to older browsers. 
2.  Avoiding excess images, image maps and use of animation material. 
3. Using hypertext links that make sense when read out of context.
4.  Using headings, lists and Web site structure in a consistent manner, including using CSS to control the Web site's style and, in some cases, to control layout. 
5.  Summarizing material (or using the longdesc attribute) for content that may be difficult to access. 
6.  Providing alternatives in cases where content produced by scripts, applets or plug-ins may not be accessible or supported. 
7.  Avoiding the use of frames. 
8.  Summarizing table content or creating tables that allow for line by line reading. 
9.  Validating pages with various tools , including the  W3C's HTML Validation Service  and the  Bobby Accessibility Checker .
10. Testing on the Windows and MAC platforms and numerous browsers (Netscape 3, 4, and 6; IE 5 and 6, Opera and Home Page Reader).
11. Using various accessibility checklists and guidelines, including those at  www.w3.org/TR/WAI-WEBCONTENT. 

A related document, our Web Site Development Guideline, is available at www.helpinsure.com/help/design.xml

Text Telephone and Physical Access

Helpinsure.com is a free service provided by the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI). All TDI facilities are accessible to persons with disabilities. To request special assistance, please contact:

1. Texas Department of Insurance - (512) 463-6169
2. ADA Coordinator - (512) 475-1992
3. TDD - (512) 322-4238
4. Mailing Address - P O Box 149104, Austin, TX 78714-9104
5. Hobby Building Address - 333 Guadalupe, Austin, TX 78701
6. E-mail -

Entrances to the Hobby Building are located at:

1. 4th Street and Lavaca Street
2. 4th Street and Guadalupe Street
3. 3rd Street and Guadalupe Street
4. 3rd Street and Lavaca Street

Ramps to enter the building are located at each of these entrances. Speakers to request assistance entering the building are located at all entrances except the 3rd Street/Lavaca Street entrance.

TDI field offices are inspected for ADA compliance by the Department of Licensing and Regulation.

Contact Us

Please let us know if you have any problems accessing our Web site. When you contact us, please note:

1. The nature of your accessibility problem.
2. The format you prefer for receiving requested Web site material.
3. The Web address of the requested material.
4. Your contact information.

If you need to contact us via TDD equipment, please visit the  Relay Texas Web site  at http://www.puc.state.tx.us/relay/index.cfm for assistance.

Additional information about accessibility programs in Texas is available from the  Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities .

Reasonable Accommodations

Helpinsure.com and the Texas Department of Insurance do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in employment or in the provision of services. Any request for reasonable accommodation needed during the application process should be communicated by the applicant to staff in the application area or by calling (512)475-1992 or TDD(512)322-4238.

For more information contact:

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