The rapid development of social media has been one of the biggest technological achievements of the 21st century, but most people fail to realize it is rotting your brain every second you spend scrolling. Follow along as we discover how social media affects your attention span.

How Does Social Media Affect Cognitive Function?

The human brain is a powerhouse of receptors and processors, including your dopamine receptors. Think of dopamine receptors as the “feel-good center”. They absorb dopamine molecules and as a response, a sense of pleasure is rewarded to the brain. Yet, these receptors are very sensitive… if they are abused with a constant release of pleasure, the threshold for that pleasurable experience gets gradually higher. However it takes months, even years to notice the changes. This is where short-form content comes in. 

Apps such as Instagram, FaceBook, and TikTok are some of the largest platforms in the US, yet they have single-handedly ruined people’s attention spans without any repercussions whatsoever. Short-form content, by nature, encourages quick-shifts in focus, making long-term tasks seem impossible. This is achieved by how this short-form content affects the dopamine receptors; when scrolling on these apps, with each scroll, the brain releases dopamine. In turn, this increases the threshold for dopamine release and simultaneously damages your attention span. 

The Testimonies

Studies have shown that 67.6% of short-form content users find it harder to concentrate on longer-form tasks, which goes to show how much of an impact daily scrolling can have on the brain’s dopamine receptors. When the brain finds it hard to do even simple tasks such as washing dishes or doing laundry, change must be in effect to revert the effects before it’s too late. 

Another study has shown, as reported by PhD professors working with the American Psychological Association, that between 2004 and 2023, the average attention span among all social media users has dropped from 2.5 minutes per task, to 47 seconds per task as of 2023! This doesn’t happen for no reason, and social media is to blame for this significant drop.

 Attention span is a strong negative correlation, meaning when one factor increases, another drops simultaneously. This refers especially to decreased attention span, and heightened stress levels. When the brain gets pressured, specifically when scrolling on social media, a mass influx of dopamine from scrolling leads to the heightened stress levels. Consequently, when heightened stress levels occur, so does worsened mood; as a result, the brain is stripped of mental resources required for real-world engagement.

Rejuvenating Your Attention Span

It may seem scary to notice your attention span drop in real time, but do not worry, it’s easier to repair your attention span than damage it. I wouldn’t even say it’s repairing your attention span, but rather managing it. 

You can manage this not by immediate cessation, but instead using it during breaks, and by setting mini-goals with your work first to naturally activate your dopamine receptors.

My advice, do the easy things right. When you notice yourself drifting off during work, catch it and put your phone down before you go down an endless pit of scrolling. It’s not about forcing yourself to focus harder, but about controlling the small habits that quietly destroy your attention.

The Little Things

Ultimately, social media is not inherently harmful, but the way we use it is. The constant stream of dopamine to our brain is doing more harm than good, and expecting gratification only makes it harder to engage with actual tasks that require focus and attention. 

On a lighter note, the good news is that attention span isn’t permanently lost; it is shaped by the habits around it. By becoming more aware of how harmful social media can be, we can regain control over our focus. In a world that requires focus, the first step is to put down social media. 

About Post Author

Sam Bruderle '27

mliddle@mlschools.org

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Athletes are some of the most enduring and tough people you can meet. They are constantly required to perform at the highest level, yet that can be extremely difficult if recovery is not addressed. If you are committed to a sport, yes, performance should be your top priority, but performance goes far beyond your physical play. Believe it or not, how you recover is vastly more important than how you perform during your matches. 

Recovery Methods and The Science:

The next best method, also very accessible, is massaging. Whether it’s done by a medical professional or performed with a massage gun, massaging provides a hyper-efficient, yet slightly painful, method of recovery. A 2022 study from the Frontier Journal found that massaging significantly decreases soreness by improving blood circulation. Yet, although massaging heavily reduces inflammation and soreness, it has few real long-term enhancements, only a handful of short-term effects such as decreased stiffness and looser muscles. All of which require long-term treatment to make a significant difference. However, massaging is one of the most effective forms of recovery, especially for high-octane athletes such as basketball and football players. Hence, massaging, when in the right hands, can be one of the most invaluable forms of recovery. 

The Final Stretch

Even elite athletes often neglect recovery, which only leads to harmed performance over time. When unconfronted, athletes tend to stiffen up, and getting back to healthy shape only gets harder from there. Now, with the unprecedented technology that only makes recovery easier, there is no better time to focus on recovery. Because if it’s never evaluated, your body 30 years from now will suffer from limited mobility and a multitude of preventable injuries that could’ve been avoided with proper recovery today.

About Post Author

Sam Bruderle '27

mliddle@mlschools.org

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A menu is the first thing anyone is greeted with when they arrive at a restaurant and sit down. Sometimes, it takes the form of a touch-screen board. Other times, it takes the form of a fancy, paper menu. In fact, an often overlooked element of a restaurant is the menu itself. We typically think that certain restaurants, restaurants that have been in business for decades (fast food or sit-down), keep their old traditions and items, creating foods that thousands and even millions enjoy to this day. And although their standards may remain the same, a restaurant’s menu is not static, fluctuating in price and changing its medium over the course of many years. With that in mind, it may be time to change the menu one more time.

For many, a menu is easy to use. Look through the choices and pick the one you crave the most. Simple. Neutral. Unfortunately, a menu is only effective if it is understandable or even readable. For many individuals who are low vision or blind, this may become an impossible task. In truth, reading the fine print for the ingredients is already a challenge for most. Let’s be honest: who really understands what a sweated onion is? Thus, it should come as no surprise that blind people, who have to overcome both barriers, fail to get all the necessary information and need help from others to order. That diminishes their own personal autonomy and agency. 

So what can be done to truly help those who struggle to perform seemingly easy tasks, like reading a menu? Restaurants can begin by training staff members on how to handle the situation if a blind or low vision customer comes. According to the NIH, 1.2 million people living in the U.S today are legally blind. This means that it would be worthwhile to teach staff members Braille and train them in the event that a blind person visits their restaurant. Moreover, as a tangible solution, restaurants can begin to implement Braille menus. For example, using a local restaurant as an example, Hapgoods has implemented a Braille menu to cater to those who need it. Not only has the menu helped those who are blind, but it also allows people who are low vision or older to read the menu items because of the larger text. 

However, even with these solutions, most businesses are not given an incentive to implement them. Admittedly, for most, it may be seen as a hassle. Many restaurants are just trying to stay afloat, and adding more rules and requirements may be a burden for them. This is exactly where legal policies can step in. For starters, local and federal governmental agencies could offer tax reductions for those who abide by ADA accessibility guidelines. By offering more reductions, it may encourage a more widespread adoption of these menus.

Furthermore, running a successful business often requires expansion and renovation. Therefore, the government can build on existing policies that allow for “fast track renovation” (functionally speeding up the time it takes for grants to be permitted), incentivizing the business to follow regulations established for PWDs (people with disabilities). 

 Menus should not be a barrier to independence. By adopting accessible formats like Braille, and strengthening incentives through policy, restaurants can create a more inclusive dining experience for all customers.

About Post Author

Ethan Wu '27

mliddle@mlschools.org

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Cardio Room

Treadmills, starimasters, and bikes, oh my. With rows of treadmills, 6 stairmasters, and many ellipticals and bikes, it’s easy to find a mode of movement for anyone. Most machines are LAFitness brand and feature a large, spacious screen with different options to customize your workout. Scenery videos, on-demand classes, and a timer help you get the most out of your time. I personally love walking on the treadmill and climbing stairs on the stairmaster, so I greatly appreciate the abundance of machines, which practically eliminates waiting time.

Turf Section

As someone who stretches for 10-15 minutes before every exercise, I absolutely loved the expansion of the turf area. With 5 spacious mirrors, a rack of free weights, and various other tools, the gym’s turf area is the perfect place to start my workout. The old Y gym had only a small corner designated for free space, limiting people’s warm-up stretches and free-weight warm-ups. The new upgrade is a 10/10 in my eyes, and it makes it easy for me to ease into my workout with a calming stretch. It is the first place I use as I plan my workout for the day and ease myself into movement! 

E-Gym

One new addition to the renovated why is the E-Gym section. With about 7 machines, including a leg press, back extension, and bicep curl, this section of the gym is perfect for people of all ages; however, I most commonly see older members using it. And you know what, I do not blame them. Whoever thought of integrating video games with workout equipment is pretty clever. So far, I have not tried these machines myself, but I will be sure to play around with them when I am looking for a chill and fun addition to my workout routine.

Free Weight/Machine Section

The new free weight/machine section is one of my favorite aspects of the renovation. The increased number of benches and new additions, such as the hip thrust machine, make hitting any muscle group possible and with ease. While I’ve heard complaints that the machines are too close together, I haven’t found that to have a significant impact on my workout, and overall, I think the setup is ideal for almost all workouts. I also appreciate the organization of machines, with most leg, arm, and core machines being grouped in their respective areas. 

Pilates/Free Movement Room

Looking into the wood-floored and glass-doored room in the corner of the gym, it is most likely unoccupied. When used, it transformed into an area where people of all ages could take classes, ranging from dance cardio to yoga. Although I have yet to take any of these classes, I definitely look forward to them in the future. On the other hand, when the room is not in use for various classes, this quiet, free room is perfect for ending my workout with a 10-15-minute core circuit. The turf area is also good for a quick ab burner, but it can be crowded and a little distracting; I prefer to grab a yoga mat and a 10-pound weight in the unoccupied room to end my workout!!

Spin Classes/Room

For fans of Soul Cycle or your home Peloton, the new cycle room will fulfill all of your spin class dreams. Aesthetics alone make the experience hard to compete with, complete with dim blue lighting and a beautiful bike setup. The space also features state-of-the-art spin bikes, and classes are offered twice a day, emphasizing proper technique and an intense workout. As stated on the YMCA website, all fitness levels are welcome, so don’t be afraid to go outside your comfort zone and drop in on a class. I certainly will!

About Post Author

Charlotte Caggiano '27 Sam Hirschfeld '28

mliddle@mlschools.org

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With all the snow days, free time, and slow winter nights, I have picked up a new hobby!

With help from my mom, I have curated a few original recipes to kill time and spread some warmth throughout the winter season. These recipes have all been adjusted through multiple trials and errors to get the best final result. Without further ado, I present my top three recipes for this Winter season: Sweet Banana Bread Muffins, Peanut Butter S’mores Protein Shake, and the Blueberry Peach Smoothie Bowl.

1. Sweet Banana Bread Muffins

Total prep time: 25 min. 

Ingredients

1 ½ cups of all purpose flour

1 cup of sugar

½ cup avocado oil

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 egg

½ teaspoon salt

3 mashed bananas

1 cup choc chips

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Steps: 

1. preheat oven 350 F
2. mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a mixing bowl
3. add mashed bananas, the egg, oil, and vanilla. mix well
4. add choc chips and mix until evenly distributed
5. spoon the batter into the muffin baking pan, not all the way
6. bake for 15-20 mins- depending on the size of the muffin containers
7. remove and let cool for 5 mins

2. Peanut Butter Smore’s Protein Shake

Total Prep Time: 10 min.

Ingredients

¾ cup milk

¼ cup low fat yogurt

1 tablespoon peanut butter

½ scoop vanilla protein powder

½ scoop chocolate protein powder

1 large handful of ice

Toppings: Chocolate syrup, marshmallow fluff spread, chocolate chips

Steps: 

Optional: Line the cup with chocolate sauce & add marshmallow fluff spread
Add all the ingredients to the blender

Blend until smooth

3. Blueberry Peach Smoothie Bowl

Total prep time: 15 min.

Ingredients

2 cups frozen peaches

1 cup frozen blueberries

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

¼ cup milk

Toppings: granola, sea salt chocolate chips, honey

Not pictured toppings: fresh fruit, chocolate sauce

Steps:

Put on toppings

Add half of the frozen fruit, milk, and protein powder to a big blender

Put blender on a low setting & mix the recipe until it gets blended smoothly

Add the rest of the frozen fruit & adjust amount of milk for desired texture

About Post Author

Charlotte Caggiano '27

mliddle@mlschools.org

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When I first decided to create a menu for those who were low vision or blind, I never could have imagined how many things I would learn on this journey. Color contrast, glossy chalkboards, and how to 3-D print are just a few things I can name. However, the menu project became bigger than itself. I decided to take it further, and analyze exactly why many crucial accessibility components are missing, especially in small towns like Mountain Lakes. 

Rural Infrastructure

Taking a look into infrastructure gives a clearer picture of the rural accessibility landscape. Although the scope of the paper was not written in the context of the United States, Dassah finds that “persons using wheelchairs in rural South Africa had to navigate mud and gravel,” and these conditions only worsened with flooding and rain. Dassah found similar results in Thailand as well (Dassah). These findings, while international, can still be applied to the United States. Certain underdeveloped areas in the U.S. use gravel roads, and more run-down commercial centers also pose a challenge to wheelchair users. Confirming this, Ackerman notes that “communities in rural Kendall and McHenry counties have less than 25% of roads with any type of sidewalk coverage” compared to bigger urban cities in Chicago with upwards of 59% sidewalk coverage (Ackerman). This mirrors conditions in South Africa and Thailand. Moreover, the U.S. Department of Transportation has stated that “40% of roads in rural areas are inadequate for travel while nearly 50% of bridges over 20 feet long are currently considered ‘structurally deficient,’” furthering the claim that Dassah made (Ackerman). Both national and international rural areas all, unfortunately, rely on unsafe roads and infrastructure for travel. All these challenges are only exacerbated when storms pass through, causing erosion and mud. Wheelchair users, in turn, have a much more difficult experience when navigating small towns. 

A fundamental component to PWDs is the healthcare infrastructure. While there are many concerns with the cost, an often overlooked component is the physical aspect of the clinic itself. Iezzoni discovered that many clinics do not even have ramps at the entrance of the building, making it difficult for wheelchair access. More than that, when conducting medical interviews, it was found that the waiting rooms were often not soundproof, limiting patient confidentiality. When patients actually entered the examination room, the measurement tools were difficult to move and, thus, doctors often had to forgo routine measurements and asked patients to self-measure (Iezzoni). Despite the source being slightly dated (2006), the claims made still largely hold true. Dassah confirms this. They found that many corridors were narrow, preventing wheelchair mobility, and that even bathrooms were hard to reach. Additionally, Dassah furthered the finding about adjustable-height examination tables. There were many reports filed regarding complaints about the tables (Dassah). The physical components of living are typically the most important. Without proper access and care taken to ensure conditions are inclusive, the results can be devastating for those who can not access autonomy as easily.

Concluding Thoughts

So what can be done? It all starts with awareness. That awareness can feed into autonomy and independence for those who lack it. It can also show the value that every human has. When I worked with Maddy, because the little tasks were difficult for her, I never even knew she was a musician until a few weeks into the process. When redesigning infrastructure, I hope we can all realize that while certain tasks may seem simple for us, it can seem like an insurmountable challenge for others. However, through careful reconsideration of policies, even ones that save only a few seconds of time, we can work to create a more accessible community for everyone.

Works Cited

Ackerman, Sidney; Aghevli, Ariana; Aguilar, Jenna; et al., “Accessibility Challenges Encountered by People with Disabilities and Older Residents of Rural Areas” (2025). Undergraduate Coursework. Paper 7. Purdue University.

Dassah, Ebenezer, et al. “Factors Affecting Access to Primary Health Care Services for Persons with Disabilities in Rural Areas: A ‘best-fit’ Framework Synthesis.” Global Health Research and Policy, vol. 3, no. 1, Dec. 2018, https://doi.org/10.1186/s41256-018-0091-x.

Iezzoni, Lisa I., et al. “Rural Residents with Disabilities Confront Substantial Barriers to Obtaining Primary Care.” Health Services Research, vol. 41, no. 4p1, 31 Mar. 2006, pp. 1258-75, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-6773.2006.00534.x.

About Post Author

Ethan Wu '27

mliddle@mlschools.org

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Introduction

In the chaos of everyday life, it can feel like time is always slipping away. Between classes, homework, extracurriculars, part-time jobs, and parties, our days seem to be packed from start to finish. When assignments begin to pile up, it feels impossible to keep up without sacrificing sleep or personal time. But it isn’t: with these strategies, we’ll be able to check off our tasks without worrying about cutting quality or staying up late.

Studying & Schoolwork

When it comes to schoolwork, efficiency begins with prioritizing. Creating a clear to-do list and noting deadlines helps us decide which tasks deserve our immediate attention. Tackling the most demanding assignment first can prevent us from procrastinating later in the day, when we start losing our energy and focus. For example, if math homework takes a lot of concentration, finishing it soon after school can be more effective than waiting until late at night.

Taking advantage of short pockets of free time can also make a difference. Reviewing notes during breakfast or reading a few textbook pages before sports can reduce the amount of homework we have at night.

Establishing a consistent routine further improves our efficiency. For instance, starting homework at the same time each day can turn studying into muscle memory. Some also find it helpful to designate a specific workspace that signals it is time to focus. Keeping our supplies nearby (like calculators, chargers, and notebooks) saves time otherwise spent looking for them. When studying gets boring or confusing, switching studying strategies can help, like quizzing a friend or explaining material out loud.

Morning Routine

Mornings can either set a productive tone for the day or become a source of unnecessary stress. As such, preparing the night before is one of the simplest ways to save time in the morning. Packing our backpack, preparing everything we’ll need for the next day, and picking clothes to wear in advance can prevent us from frantically searching for something before leaving for school.

Waking up energized can further speed mornings up. Using multiple alarms, listening to energizing music, or setting our alarm ringtone to energizing music can help us feel more awake and make our minds clearer as the day begins.

Although it may be tempting to skip breakfast, eating even a small meal helps us focus in early morning classes. Quick options like yogurt, fruit, or a smoothie can give enough energy to prevent mid-morning fatigue, while drinking water in the morning can help improve our concentration.

Managing Distractions

Distractions are one of the biggest obstacles to efficiency. Phones, notifications, and social media can easily turn short breaks into long interruptions. Because of this, creating a distraction-free environment during study time is essential. Putting a phone on silent or leaving it in another room significantly improves focus. When using a computer, closing unrelated tabs or using website blockers can reduce the temptation to wander away from the task at hand.

Setting clear goals also helps maintain our attention, like deciding in advance what task will be completed and for how long or maintaining a structure of 25 minutes of working followed by a 5-minute break. Knowing a break is coming makes it easier to resist distractions and also stops burnout.

Lastly, practicing quick mindfulness sessions can help. Taking a few deep breaths or pausing for a few minutes can calm any stress or anxiety, helping us focus. It also helps to write down everything on our mind on a piece of paper and set it aside as a way of shelving all our distracting thoughts.

Overcoming Procrastination

Procrastination often comes from not starting something. Because of this, one way of stopping it is to reduce the first step of a task to something extremely small. Thinking of a task as starting with just opening a document, writing one sentence, or reviewing a single page can break through that unwillingness to do the task. Once we start that task, continuing it becomes much easier.

Setting realistic daily goals is equally important. Overloading a to-do list can dim our motivation, leaving us less and less likely to want to finish everything on our list, while setting an achievable amount of tasks per day can build our confidence and encourage us to keep finishing all our tasks the next day.

Building Habits & Managing Energy

Many daily actions are driven by habit. As a result, building positive routines often reduces the effort we need to begin a task. A consistent homework schedule, for example, removes the daily debate with yourself about when to start working. When repeated over time, routines can allow us to enter a focused mindset more quickly.

Physical energy also plays a critical role, and much of it comes from sleep. Sleep is essential for improving our concentration and memory (we typically need 8-10 hours of sleep every night). When we start feeling exhausted, taking a break and going back to work later helps us work faster than if we stuck with our task and kept going until we finished. Exercising, even in small amounts, also improves focus while reducing stress and supporting better sleep quality. Getting the right amount of nutrition and hydration further helps our minds feel clearer.

Recognizing if we’re morning birds, night owls, or somewhere in between also helps improve our efficiency. Some people work best in the morning, while others are more alert later in the evening. Scheduling harder tasks in the times when our focus is highest and easier tasks when our bodies have less energy helps maximize our productivity and mitigates the risk of burning out.

Conclusion

At its core, doing things efficiently means being intentional with how we use our time and energy. By prioritizing tasks, maintaining a routine that works for us, managing our habits and energy, and taking that first step in finishing something, we can finish our work faster without giving up quality. High school will always be busy, but with the right strategies, time can work in our favor.

About Post Author

Connie Wang '26

mliddle@mlschools.org

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With the cold weather of winter coming in hot, people everywhere are looking for ways to stay active in new and exciting ways. Whether it is on the ice or in the snow, here is a list of fun winter sports you can try right now!

1. Ice skating

Starting with the popular sport of ice skating; whether you like figure skating, hockey, or just going for a quick skate, ice skating is a good way to relax and have a fun time gliding across the ice. Mountain Lakes it’s a great town for this ice skating, as areas such as the Cove are great for skating with your friends and family before winter comes to an end. All you need is skates and some warm clothes, making it one of the cheapest, yet fun winter sports out there.

2. Sledding

Sledding is a fun and exhilarating way to enjoy a snowy day, so find a hill and give it a go! It’s an exciting way to have fun with friends, screaming as you soar down a snow covered slope. Some of the best slopes include the hills near Birchwood and the wide hills behind the high school tennis courts. So grab a couple friends, a sledding tube and race to the biggest hill near you!

3. Skiing

Skiing, another exciting snow-sport to try. If you’re looking for a quick adrenaline rush, look no further than skiing. No matter your skill level, skiing is one of the best and most beginner-friendly sports to try out in the winter. There are many great places to try out, whether it is Mountain Creek, Mount Peter, Camelback, and so on, skiing is the sport to try out!

All of these are great sports to try, especially for their quick accessibility. Make sure to try them out before the winter season ends, as this is one of your final chances to enjoy the snow before spring rolls around! Go out and have fun!

About Post Author

Zara Rebuli '28

mliddle@mlschools.org

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As a senior in high school, it feels like everywhere I turn my classmates are driving themselves insane with the thought of being rejected from their dream school. Here’s the problem: as humans, we’re going to have to face rejection for our entire lives, whether its being rejected from a job, a study abroad program, or social rejection. So how should we move on and cope with these rejections healthily? I’ve compiled my most tried and true pieces of advice, so that next time you’re feeling down, you can pick yourself back up.

1. Don’t take it personally 

It sounds silly, but especially when it comes to college, the decision you receive is not a reflection of your character. Being rejected does not mean you are not worthy of success, but rather that the job or school you were applying to had an amazing pool of talented applicants, and it wasn’t meant to be. If someone is rejected, it likely means they weren’t the best fit and it would be in the best interest for both the applicant and institution for them to look elsewhere. Here’s the bottom line: don’t take the rejection to heart. The best thing you can do is work towards your next big goal.

2. Have backups 

When you’re in search of the school or job that is best for you, don’t limit yourself! It’s easy to think that backups would be a waste of time, but so many people have ended up at their backups and been beyond grateful that they kept an open mind. At the end of the day, your experience/education is what you make it to be. If you can mentally prepare yourself for the possibility of rejection by setting yourself up for success with backups, the idea won’t be so daunting. It sounds like common sense, but pick backups that you genuinely could see yourself being happy at, because life is unpredictable.

3. Talk to people who have been in your shoes 

If there’s a bright side to rejection, it’s that it’s not an original experience. We can all admit rejection is difficult, but you’re not the first one to face it. Use this to your advantage! If you have a friend, a sibling, a classmate, or someone else who you know has been in your shoes, ask them how they got through it. Acknowledging your feelings and being able to ask for help is the first step in the right decision, and being able to do this allows you to come out stronger on the other side and ready to take on the next big opportunity. 

What you’ll likely hear from someone who has been rejected is similar to what was discussed earlier; rejection is not a reflection of you or your abilities, but rather a redirection towards where you belong most. As cliche as the phrase “rejection is redirection may be,” it rings true. Take the redirection as an opportunity to learn new hobbies, grow as a person, and figure out what your course of action is. 

I’m not here to say that rejection isn’t a big deal, because it really can feel that way. With that said, if you work to prepare yourself for the idea of rejection with a healthy mindset and use it as a motive to grow, you’ll find that you come out the other side a better version of yourself. 

About Post Author

Cate Conklin '26

mliddle@mlschools.org

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Introduction

In 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was enacted to provide federal protections for individuals with disabilities. It requires compliance with Title II (government) and Title III (businesses). To do this, stores and governments are required to include features such as accessible formatting, large font sizes, Braille options, and documents compatible with screen readers. These requirements ensure easy use for people with cognitive, visual, or auditory impairments.

Additionally, as public communication systems shift to digital platforms, accessibility guidelines established by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) help ensure that PDFs, online alerts, and websites are accessible. For small towns with older populations, such as Mountain Lakes, these standards are essential. Understanding how effectively a community implements these accessibility practices is central to evaluating whether local governmental systems truly serve all residents. It also encourages future policies that offer a step in the right direction for access.

ML Town Website

There are a few metrics for measuring website accessibility. To narrow it down, these guidelines include: page structure, navigation, alt text, labels and landmarks, reading order, contrast and fonts, links and buttons, keyboard navigation, cognitive clarity, PDF accessibility, online forms, video accessibility, live stream accessibility, alerts and notices, mobile site design, mobile PDFs, translation availability, and feedback channels.

Going down the list, we can make a few key observations. Most of the website complies with these requirements. Notably, you can navigate the entire website with the keyboard, and there are no keyboard traps (meaning you cannot get stuck on a pop-up tab or on a specific page). This is incredibly important because many low-vision or blind individuals use specialized devices called screen readers that must be able to access the website solely through text. Additionally, the website includes the ability to narrate text when clicked. Most downloadable PDFs are fully functional and readily accessible. 

However, there are a few areas where the website could be improved to enhance accessibility. First, the page structure is slightly busy with lots of images and text everywhere. Moreover, navigation is lacking since there is no search bar. Second, every image should have alt text. Functionally, alt text helps low-vision or blind people understand what an image is. Third, the website breaks when zoomed to 200%. Although the formatting is slightly off, it could affect the user experience when they need to read the text clearly. Fourth, the website lacks translations. For individuals whose first language is not English, finding information on the town website may be difficult. 

Impact and Final Thoughts

With that being said, what does this mean for Mountain Lakes moving forward? The lack of these accessible features could exclude people seeking to engage with town policies and events. This means appropriate feedback systems need to be implemented to address these concerns. Furthermore, a website redesign could be a helpful recommendation. All in all, because access may be regarded as an afterthought, it is imperative that we do not lose sight of these issues and, instead, place it at the forefront of our decisions. 

About Post Author

Ethan Wu '27

mliddle@mlschools.org

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