1. Our Commitment
SHEPHERD is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people of all abilities. We aim to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 Level AA and continuously work to improve the experience for every visitor.
2. Standards We Follow
- WCAG 2.2 Level AA as our target conformance standard
- Section 508 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act where applicable
- Semantic HTML, meaningful landmarks, and logical heading structure
- Keyboard operability for all interactive elements
3. Accessibility Features
- Visible focus indicators on all interactive elements
- Sufficient color contrast between text and background
- Descriptive alternative text for meaningful imagery
- Form fields with visible labels, required-field indicators, and clear error messaging
- ARIA attributes where native semantics are insufficient
- Reduced-motion support that respects the operating system preference
- Touch targets sized appropriately for mobile use
4. Assistive Technology Compatibility
Our site is designed to be compatible with recent versions of major screen readers (NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver, TalkBack) paired with modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge). If you encounter an incompatibility, we want to hear about it.
5. Known Limitations
Some embedded third-party content (scheduling widgets, video players, analytics tools) may not fully meet our accessibility standards. We actively work with vendors to close these gaps and offer alternative ways to complete any task affected by a limitation.
6. Ongoing Efforts
- Regular automated and manual accessibility audits
- Accessibility review as part of every new feature
- Team training on inclusive design practices
- Feedback loops with users who rely on assistive technology
7. Feedback & Assistance
If you experience any difficulty accessing content on our site, or if you need information in an alternative format, please contact us at accessibility@ardenco.example. We aim to respond within 3 business days and will work with you to provide the information you need.
8. Formal Complaints
If you are not satisfied with our response, you may escalate your concern to the relevant regulatory authority in your jurisdiction. We take accessibility complaints seriously and treat them as opportunities to improve.