Accessibility Policy

1. Our Commitment to Accessibility

Barvati is committed to ensuring that our website is accessible to all users, including individuals with disabilities. We believe that everyone should have equal access to information and functionality, and we strive to provide an inclusive digital experience that serves all members of our community.

We recognize that accessibility is an ongoing effort and are continuously working to improve the user experience for all visitors. Our commitment extends beyond legal compliance to creating a genuinely inclusive environment where all users can successfully navigate, understand, and interact with our website and services.

2. Accessibility Standards and Guidelines

Our website is designed and developed to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards, which are internationally recognized as the standard for web accessibility. These guidelines provide a framework for making web content more accessible to people with a wide range of disabilities.

We also strive to comply with relevant accessibility laws and regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, and other applicable federal and state accessibility requirements. Our goal is to meet or exceed these standards wherever possible.

The WCAG guidelines are built around four main principles: content must be perceivable, interface components must be operable, information must be understandable, and content must be robust enough to work with various assistive technologies.

3. Accessibility Features on Our Website

Keyboard Navigation: Our website is fully navigable using only a keyboard, allowing users who cannot use a mouse to access all functionality. We provide clear focus indicators and logical tab order throughout the site to ensure efficient keyboard navigation.

Screen Reader Compatibility: We use semantic HTML markup, proper heading structures, and descriptive alt text for images to ensure our content is accessible to screen readers and other assistive technologies used by visitors with visual impairments.

Color and Contrast: We maintain sufficient color contrast ratios throughout our website to ensure text is readable for users with visual impairments or color vision deficiencies. Important information is never conveyed through color alone.

Responsive Design: Our website is designed to work effectively across different devices and screen sizes, including when users zoom in up to 200% or use mobile devices with various accessibility features enabled.

Clear Language and Structure: We use plain language, clear headings, and logical page structures to make our content easier to understand and navigate for all users, including those with cognitive disabilities.

4. Assistive Technology Support

Our website is designed to work with a wide range of assistive technologies, including screen readers such as JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver, voice recognition software like Dragon NaturallySpeaking, and various keyboard alternatives and switch devices.

We regularly test our website with popular assistive technologies to ensure compatibility and identify areas for improvement. We also consider the needs of users who rely on magnification software, high contrast displays, and other visual aids.

For users who require alternative input methods, our website supports various assistive devices and software solutions that help individuals with motor disabilities navigate and interact with web content effectively.

5. Ongoing Accessibility Improvements

Accessibility is an ongoing commitment, and we continuously work to improve our website's accessibility features. We conduct regular accessibility audits, both automated and manual, to identify and address potential barriers to access.

Our development team receives regular training on accessibility best practices and stays current with evolving accessibility standards and technologies. We incorporate accessibility considerations into our design and development processes from the earliest stages of any project.

We also seek feedback from users with disabilities and work with accessibility consultants to ensure our improvements effectively address real-world accessibility challenges and user needs.

6. Third-Party Content and Services

While we strive to ensure that all content and functionality on our website is accessible, some third-party services, plugins, or embedded content may not fully meet our accessibility standards. We are actively working with our vendors and service providers to improve the accessibility of these components.

When selecting third-party tools and services, we prioritize vendors who demonstrate a commitment to accessibility and provide accessible alternatives where necessary. We also provide accessible alternatives or workarounds when third-party content may present accessibility barriers.

If you encounter accessibility issues with any third-party content on our website, please let us know so we can work to address the problem or provide an accessible alternative.

7. Accessibility Testing and Evaluation

We employ multiple methods to evaluate and maintain the accessibility of our website, including automated accessibility testing tools, manual testing with assistive technologies, and expert accessibility reviews conducted by qualified accessibility professionals.

Our testing procedures include validation of HTML markup, color contrast analysis, keyboard navigation testing, screen reader testing, and usability testing with users who have disabilities. We also monitor industry best practices and emerging accessibility standards.

We conduct accessibility evaluations during the design and development phases of new features and regularly audit existing content to ensure continued compliance with accessibility standards.

8. Alternative Access Methods

For users who may encounter difficulties accessing certain content or functionality on our website, we provide alternative methods to access information and complete tasks. This includes phone support, email assistance, and alternative document formats when requested.

Our customer service team is trained to assist users with disabilities and can provide information about products, help with orders, and answer questions about our services through accessible communication methods.

We can provide product information, documentation, and other content in alternative formats such as large print, audio recordings, or electronic formats compatible with assistive technologies upon request.

9. Accessibility Feedback and Reporting

We welcome feedback about the accessibility of our website and encourage users to report any accessibility barriers they encounter. Your feedback helps us identify areas for improvement and prioritize accessibility enhancements.

When reporting accessibility issues, please provide as much detail as possible, including the specific page or feature you were trying to access, the assistive technology you were using (if any), and a description of the difficulty you experienced.

We will respond to accessibility feedback promptly and work to address reported issues in a timely manner. We may contact you for additional information to better understand and resolve the accessibility barrier.

10. Accessibility Training and Awareness

We provide accessibility training for our staff members who are involved in website design, development, content creation, and customer service. This training covers accessibility principles, legal requirements, and practical techniques for creating and maintaining accessible digital content.

Our team regularly participates in accessibility conferences, workshops, and continuing education programs to stay current with best practices and emerging accessibility technologies and techniques.

We also maintain internal accessibility guidelines and resources to ensure that accessibility considerations are integrated into all aspects of our digital presence and customer service operations.

11. Mobile Accessibility

Our website is designed to be accessible on mobile devices and tablets, with responsive design that adapts to different screen sizes and orientations. We ensure that accessibility features function properly across all supported mobile platforms.

Mobile accessibility features include proper touch target sizing, support for mobile screen readers and other assistive technologies, and compatibility with mobile operating system accessibility features such as VoiceOver on iOS and TalkBack on Android.

We test our mobile accessibility regularly and work to ensure that users with disabilities can effectively access our website and services regardless of the device they are using.

12. Legal Compliance and Standards

Our accessibility efforts are designed to comply with applicable laws and regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, and state accessibility requirements. We also work to align with international accessibility standards and best practices.

We monitor changes in accessibility law and regulation and update our practices accordingly to maintain compliance and provide the best possible experience for all users. Our legal compliance efforts are guided by both the letter and spirit of accessibility law.

While we strive for full compliance, we recognize that accessibility is an evolving field, and we are committed to continuous improvement in our accessibility practices and outcomes.

13. Contact Information for Accessibility Support

If you need assistance accessing any content on our website, encounter accessibility barriers, or would like to request information in an alternative format, please contact our accessibility support team using the methods below.