Accessibility Statement
1. Our Commitment to Accessible AFH Real Estate
AFHMarketplace.com is committed to making our Adult Family Home (AFH) real estate platform accessible and usable for everyone, including older adults, caregivers, people with disabilities, AFH operators, landlords, buyers, and investors.
Because we serve the AFH community in Washington State, many of our visitors rely on assistive technologies or alternative ways of accessing information. Our goal is to give all users fair, respectful, and practical access to AFH real-estate–focused information and services—online and offline.
Accessibility is an ongoing, continuous process. We regularly review our website and make improvements with the aim of aligning with recognized accessibility standards.
2. Accessibility Standards We Strive Toward
AFHMarketplace.com strives to align with:
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Title III (public accommodations)
- Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (where applicable)
- Washington State accessibility principles, as they apply to digital content
WCAG 2.1 defines three conformance levels:
- Level A – Basic minimum level
- Level AA – Addresses most common barriers (our target)
- Level AAA – Highest, very strict level
We aim for WCAG 2.1 Level AA as our working standard, while recognizing that perfect compliance across all content and third-party tools is an ongoing journey, not a one-time achievement.
3. What We’re Doing to Support Accessibility
We have implemented, and continue to improve, the following measures across AFHMarketplace.com:
Structure & Navigation
- Clear, consistent navigation on all pages
- Logical heading structure and page titles to support screen readers
- “Skip to content” or equivalent mechanisms where appropriate
- Keyboard-accessible menus and interactive elements
Visual Design & Readability
- Sufficient color contrast between text and background
- Legible fonts and text sizes that can be resized without breaking layout
- Clear visual focus indicators for keyboard users
- Responsive design for desktop, tablet, and mobile devices
Content & Forms
- Plain-language explanations wherever possible
- Descriptive link text (e.g., “View Full Disclosures & Terms” rather than “click here”)
- Alternative text (alt text) for meaningful images we control
- Clearly labeled form fields and instructions
- Error messages that help users understand what went wrong and how to fix it
Documents & Downloads
- New PDFs and documents are created with accessibility in mind (tagged structure where feasible)
- Alternative formats (e.g., email, large print summaries, phone review) are available on request
We regularly refine these measures as the site evolves.
4. Third-Party Tools, MLS Data, and Known Limitations
AFHMarketplace.com uses third-party tools and data sources, including but not limited to:
- NWMLS / IDX property listing feeds
- Interactive maps (e.g., property locations)
- Embedded videos (e.g., YouTube) and virtual tours
- Scheduling tools, contact forms, and email platforms
- Social media widgets and share buttons
Because these tools are operated by third parties, some aspects may not fully meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards even though we select vendors that generally prioritize accessibility.
Known limitations may include:
- Older or third-party PDFs that are not fully tagged for screen readers
- MLS or owner-supplied property photos that lack detailed alternative text
- Some embedded maps, widgets, and IDX interfaces that may be less accessible to screen readers or keyboard-only users
When you encounter difficulty with content originating from these third-party tools, we will do our best to:
- Help you access the information through an alternative method (phone, email, or in-person review), and
- Work with the vendor or adjust our implementation where it is practical to improve accessibility over time.
5. Accessibility in Our Real Estate Services
Our accessibility commitment covers not just the website, but also how we deliver our real estate services, which are provided under RCW 18.86 through:
Petru Mihaluta
- REALTOR® (Washington License #22035924)
- Certified AFH Administrator
- Windermere Real Estate/South Sound, Inc. (Brokerage License #18513)
We provide real estate brokerage services only—property search, evaluation, marketing, market analysis, and transaction coordination. We do not provide legal, tax, accounting, financial planning, business, operational, or medical advice. All AFH licensing decisions and regulatory approvals are handled solely by DSHS and other authorities.
Within that real-estate-only scope, we strive to make our services accessible by:
- Offering reasonable accommodations during consultations, showings, and transaction steps, consistent with the Fair Housing Act and Washington’s Law Against Discrimination (RCW 49.60)
- Providing flexible communication options: phone, email, and (when offered) text or video meetings
- Meeting in accessible locations when in-person meetings are requested and feasible
- Offering multilingual service in English, Romanian, Russian, and Ukrainian to better support diverse AFH communities
If you need a specific accommodation related to our real estate services, please let us know when you contact us so we can discuss available options.
6. How to Request Help or Report an Accessibility Issue
If you experience any difficulty using AFHMarketplace.com, or if you need content in a different format, we want to hear from you.
Contact for accessibility assistance:
Petru Mihaluta
REALTOR® | Certified AFH Administrator
Windermere Real Estate/South Sound, Inc.
📍 33455 6th Ave S, Suite 1-A, Federal Way, WA 98003
📞 Phone: (425) 505-0595
📧 Email: Petru@AFHMarketplace.com
When you contact us, it is helpful (but not required) if you can include:
- The page URL or description of the content you were trying to access
- A short description of the problem or barrier
- Which device, browser, or assistive technology you were using (if you know)
- How you would prefer us to respond (phone, email, etc.)
We will:
- Acknowledge your accessibility inquiry within 2 business days,
- Review and assess the issue, and
- Either work toward fixing the issue or provide a reasonable alternative way to access the information, typically within 10 business days, depending on complexity.
For urgent matters, please call rather than email.
7. Fair Housing, Non-Discrimination, and Scope Reminder
All services are provided in accordance with:
- The federal Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.)
- Washington’s Law Against Discrimination (RCW 49.60, including RCW 49.60.222)
We provide services to all qualified clients without discrimination based on disability, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected class.
Important scope reminder:
- AFHMarketplace.com and Petru Mihaluta provide real estate guidance only, under RCW 18.86, via Windermere Real Estate/South Sound, Inc.
- We do not provide legal advice, tax or accounting advice, financial planning, investment recommendations, AFH operational consulting, or DSHS licensing guidance.
- All AFH licensing, capacity, CHOW approvals, and regulatory determinations are made solely by Washington State DSHS and applicable authorities.
For details, please see our Legal Disclosures & Terms page.
8. Ongoing Improvement and Updates to This Statement
We review our accessibility efforts and this statement periodically, especially when:
- We add new major features or redesign parts of the site
- We receive accessibility-related feedback
- Accessibility standards or best practices evolve
This accessibility statement reflects our current understanding and good-faith efforts as of the Last Updated date above and may be revised as we continue to improve.
If you need help accessing AFH real estate information or want to talk about AFH-focused property options in a way that works for you, please reach out. We’re happy to provide accessible, real-estate–focused guidance to support your next step.
