At F&M, a Lawrence Bank, we believe that banking should be accessible to everyone - regardless of ability, background, or device. Our commitment to digital inclusion is more than a policy; it's a promise to serve our community with equity and respect. That's why we've developed these Web Accessibility Guidelines to outline our approach to creating a website that's usable by all, including individuals with disabilities. By following these principles, we ensure that our online services - from checking balances to applying for loans - are welcoming and effective for every visitor.
This page serves as our official Accessibility Statement, detailing our adherence to recognized standards and how we invite your input to keep improving. Whether you're navigating our site with a screen reader, keyboard-only controls, or standard browsing, we're here to make it seamless.
Our Commitment to Web Accessibility
F&M has long prioritized accessibility as a core value, aligning our digital efforts with the needs of our diverse customers in Tennessee and beyond. We recognize that barriers in web design can exclude valuable members of our community, and we're dedicated to removing them. Our team regularly audits and updates the website to maintain high standards, drawing on feedback from users like you to refine our approach.
In line with this commitment, F&M fully adheres to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). These guidelines provide a framework for making web content more accessible to people with auditory, cognitive, neurological, physical, and visual disabilities. We target the AA conformance level, which balances comprehensive coverage with practical implementation, ensuring our site meets or exceeds most accessibility requirements without compromising functionality.
This isn't a one-time effort - accessibility is ongoing. Our development process incorporates automated testing tools, manual reviews by accessibility experts, and user testing with assistive technologies. We also train our web team on inclusive design principles, from semantic HTML to color contrast ratios, to embed accessibility from the ground up.
Understanding WCAG 2.1: The Standards We Follow
WCAG 2.1 is structured around four core principles - often remembered by the acronym POUR - to guide accessible web design:- Perceivable: Information must be presented in ways users can perceive. This means providing text alternatives for images (alt text), captions for videos, and resizable text without loss of content or functionality.
- Operable: Interface components and navigation must be operable. We ensure keyboard navigability, sufficient time for tasks, and avoidance of content that could cause seizures (e.g., no flashing elements exceeding three times per second).
- Understandable: Content and operation must be understandable. Our language is clear and consistent, with predictable navigation and error identification for forms.
- Robust: Content must be robust enough to be interpreted reliably by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies like screen readers (e.g., JAWS, NVDA) and voice control software.
- Color and Contrast: Text and background colors meet a 4.5:1 contrast ratio for normal text, ensuring readability for those with low vision.
- Keyboard Accessibility: All interactive elements (links, buttons, forms) are fully navigable via keyboard, with visible focus indicators.
- Multimedia Accessibility: Videos include closed captions and transcripts; audio descriptions are available where needed.
- Structured Content: Headings are hierarchical (H1, H2, etc.), lists are properly marked up, and forms include labels and instructions.
How We Implement Accessibility on Our Site
Practical steps bring our guidelines to life. Here's a closer look at key areas:Navigation and Structure
- Our main menu and footer links are clearly labeled and organized logically.
- Skip links allow users to bypass repetitive content and jump to the main area.
- Breadcrumbs provide context for deeper pages, aiding orientation.
Forms and Interactive Elements
- Loan applications and account logins include clear instructions, error messages in plain language, and auto-suggestions where helpful.
- Required fields are marked with asterisks and associated with their labels for screen readers.
Images and Media
- All non-decorative images have descriptive alt text (e.g., "F&M branch in Springfield, TN").
- Our blog videos feature embedded captions, and we avoid auto-playing media to prevent disorientation.
- Mobile and Responsive Design
- The site adapts seamlessly to tablets, phones, and desktops, with touch-friendly controls and scalable layouts.
- We test across browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) and devices to catch platform-specific issues.
Feedback and Support: Your Voice Matters
We know accessibility is a journey, and no site is perfect. If you experience any difficulties - such as trouble with a form, unclear visuals, or navigation challenges - please let us know. Your insights help us evolve and better serve you.
- Contact Us: Call our Accessibility Coordinator at (931) 645-2400 (available Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM CT). We're equipped with relay services for hearing-impaired users.
- Email: Send details to accessibility@myfmbank.com, including the page URL, a description of the issue, and your preferred contact method.
- Online Form: Use our dedicated Accessibility Feedback Form for written submissions.
Resources for Users and Allies
To empower you further, here are some quick tips for enhancing your browsing experience:
- Assistive Tech Recommendations: Try free tools like Google Chrome's built-in reader mode or the Firefox Accessibility Inspector.
- Browser Settings: Enable "Reduce motion" in system preferences to minimize animations.
- External Guides: Explore the W3C's Easy Checks for self-assessing site accessibility.
For more on our broader inclusion efforts, check out our Community Involvement Page or explore accessible savings tools like Smart Swipe.
F&M is proud to foster an inclusive digital space. Thank you for being part of our community - together, we're making banking better for all.