Accessibility Statement

1. Accessibility Standards and Guidelines

Telos Brothers strives to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). These guidelines explain how to make web content more accessible for people with disabilities and more user-friendly for everyone.

1.1 Target Standards

Our website and platform aim to achieve and maintain conformance with the following standards:

• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA: The current widely-adopted standard for web accessibility, which provides three levels of conformance (A, AA, AAA). We target Level AA compliance, which addresses the most common barriers for disabled users.
• Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act: U.S. federal requirements for electronic and information technology accessibility, which align closely with WCAG 2.0 Level AA.
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): We design our digital properties to be accessible in accordance with ADA Title III requirements for public accommodations.
• Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) 1.2: We implement WAI-ARIA specifications to enhance the accessibility of dynamic content and advanced user interface controls.

1.2 WCAG 2.1 Principles

The WCAG guidelines are organized around four core principles, often referred to by the acronym POUR:

2. Conformance Status

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) define three levels of conformance:

• Level A: The minimum level of conformance
• Level AA: The recommended level for most organizations (includes all Level A requirements)
• Level AAA: The highest level of conformance (includes all Level A and AA requirements)

2.1 Scope of This Statement

This accessibility statement applies to the following digital properties:

• Main website: www.telosbrothers.com
• Web-based platform and applications
• Client portals and dashboards
• Public-facing forms and interactive elements

This statement does not cover:

• Third-party content embedded on our site (see Section 6)
• Legacy PDF documents created before 2024 (we are working to remediate these)
• Archived content that is no longer actively maintained

3. Accessibility Features

Our website and platform include the following accessibility features:

3.1 Keyboard Navigation

• Full keyboard accessibility: All interactive elements can be accessed and operated using keyboard alone (Tab, Enter, Space, Arrow keys)
• Skip navigation links: "Skip to main content" links allow keyboard users to bypass repetitive navigation
• Visible focus indicators: Clear visual indicators show which element currently has keyboard focus
• Logical tab order: Tab order follows a logical reading and navigation sequence
• No keyboard traps: Users can navigate to and away from all interactive elements using standard keyboard commands

3.2 Screen Reader Compatibility

• Semantic HTML: Proper use of HTML5 semantic elements (header, nav, main, article, aside, footer) to convey document structure
• ARIA landmarks: WAI-ARIA landmark roles to identify page regions and improve navigation
• Alternative text: Descriptive alt text for all informative images; decorative images marked appropriately
• Form labels: All form inputs have associated labels and helpful instructions
• Descriptive links: Link text describes the link destination (avoiding "click here" or "read more" without context)
• ARIA attributes: Proper use of ARIA labels, descriptions, and live regions for dynamic content
• Heading hierarchy: Logical heading structure (H1-H6) for content organization

3.3 Visual Accessibility

• Color contrast: Text and interactive elements meet WCAG AA contrast ratios (4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text)
• Color independence: Information is not conveyed by color alone; additional visual cues (icons, patterns, text) are provided
• Resizable text: Text can be resized up to 200% without loss of content or functionality
• Responsive design: Content adapts to different screen sizes and orientations
• Dark mode support: System-level dark mode preferences are respected with accessible color schemes
• Readable fonts: Clear, readable typefaces with appropriate sizing and spacing

3.4 Multimedia Accessibility

• Captions: Video content includes synchronized captions for deaf and hard-of-hearing users
• Transcripts: Audio and video content have text transcripts available
• Audio descriptions: For complex visual content, audio descriptions are provided where appropriate
• Media controls: Accessible controls for playing, pausing, and adjusting volume
• No auto-play: Media does not auto-play with sound, preventing disruption to screen reader users

3.5 Content Accessibility

• Clear language: Content is written in clear, concise language appropriate for the intended audience
• Consistent navigation: Navigation mechanisms are consistent across pages
• Error identification: Form errors are clearly identified and described with suggestions for correction
• Predictable behavior: Interface elements behave consistently and predictably
• Help and documentation: Context-sensitive help is available for complex tasks

3.6 Document Accessibility

• Accessible PDFs: New PDF documents are created with accessibility features (tags, bookmarks, logical reading order)
• Office documents: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents include accessibility features
• Alternative formats: Documents are available in multiple formats when possible (PDF, HTML, Word)

4. Assistive Technology Support

Our website and platform are designed to be compatible with the following assistive technologies:

4.1 Screen Readers

We test with and support the following screen readers:

• JAWS (Job Access With Speech): Latest version on Windows with Chrome, Firefox, and Edge
• NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access): Latest version on Windows with Chrome, Firefox, and Edge
• VoiceOver: Latest version on macOS with Safari and on iOS with Safari
• TalkBack: Latest version on Android with Chrome
• Narrator: Windows built-in screen reader with Edge

4.2 Other Assistive Technologies

• Voice recognition software: Dragon NaturallySpeaking and other voice control systems
• Screen magnification: ZoomText, Windows Magnifier, macOS Zoom
• Alternative input devices: Switch controls, head pointers, eye-tracking devices
• Text-to-speech: Browser-based and system-level text-to-speech tools
• Reading assistants: Readability tools and browser reading modes

4.3 Supported Browsers and Platforms

For the best accessibility experience, we recommend using the latest versions of the following browsers:

We support browsers from the current version and two versions back. Older browsers may work but are not actively tested for accessibility.

5. Known Accessibility Limitations

Despite our best efforts to ensure accessibility, there may be some limitations. Below is a description of known limitations and potential solutions:

5.1 Current Known Issues

5.2 Reporting New Issues

If you encounter accessibility barriers not listed above, please let us know. Your feedback helps us improve accessibility for all users. See Section 8 for how to report issues.

6. Third-Party Content and Services

Our website may contain links to third-party websites or integrate third-party services. These external sites and services are not under our control, and their accessibility may vary.

6.1 Third-Party Accessibility

• Vendor selection: When selecting third-party vendors and services, we prioritize those with demonstrated commitment to accessibility
• Contract requirements: Our contracts with vendors include accessibility requirements where feasible
• Ongoing monitoring: We periodically review third-party content and services for accessibility
• Alternative options: When third-party content is not accessible, we strive to provide accessible alternatives

6.2 User-Generated Content

Some areas of our platform may contain user-generated content (comments, uploads, shared documents). While we provide accessible tools for content creation:

• We cannot guarantee that all user-generated content will be accessible
• We provide guidance and tools to help users create accessible content
• We remove inaccessible content when it violates our terms of service
• We encourage users to flag inaccessible content for review

7. Accessibility Testing and Evaluation

We employ multiple methods to evaluate and ensure the accessibility of our digital properties:

7.1 Testing Methods

• Automated testing: We use automated accessibility testing tools in our development and QA processes
• Manual testing: Our team conducts manual testing with keyboard navigation and screen readers
• Assistive technology testing: Regular testing with multiple screen readers and assistive technologies
• User testing: We engage users with disabilities to test our platform and provide feedback
• Code reviews: Accessibility is part of our code review process
• Third-party audits: We conduct periodic third-party accessibility audits by certified professionals

7.2 Testing Frequency

• Automated tests run with every code deployment
• Manual testing conducted for all new features and major updates
• Comprehensive accessibility audits performed at least annually
• Continuous monitoring of accessibility metrics and user feedback

7.3 Team Training

Our commitment to accessibility extends throughout our organization:

• All developers receive training on accessible development practices
• Designers are trained in inclusive design principles
• Content creators learn how to produce accessible content
• Customer service staff are trained to assist users with accessibility needs
• Ongoing education about accessibility standards and best practices

8. Accessibility Feedback and Support

We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of our website and platform. Your input helps us identify areas for improvement and ensures we are meeting the needs of all users.

8.1 How to Report Accessibility Issues

If you encounter an accessibility barrier on our website or platform, please let us know by:

• Emailing our accessibility team at accessibility@telosbrothers.com
• Using our accessibility feedback form (if you need assistance with the form, please email us)
• Calling our main office and asking to speak with the accessibility coordinator

8.2 What to Include in Your Report

To help us address the issue effectively, please include:

• A description of the accessibility barrier or issue
• The specific page or feature where you encountered the problem (URL if applicable)
• The assistive technology you were using (if applicable)
• Your browser and operating system
• Any error messages you received
• The date and time you encountered the issue
• Contact information if you would like a response

8.3 Response Timeline

We are committed to responding to accessibility feedback in a timely manner:

• Acknowledgment: We will acknowledge receipt of your feedback within 2 business days
• Assessment: We will assess the reported issue and provide an initial response within 5 business days
• Resolution: We will work to resolve critical accessibility barriers as quickly as possible, typically within 30 days
• Updates: We will keep you informed of progress on resolving the issue

8.4 Alternative Access

If you are unable to access information or complete a task due to an accessibility barrier, we will work with you to provide the information or service in an alternative format. This may include:

• Providing content in an alternative format (large print, audio, accessible PDF, etc.)
• Offering assistance via phone or email to complete online tasks
• Scheduling a consultation to address your specific needs
• Providing reasonable accommodations to access our services

9. Ongoing Accessibility Improvements

Accessibility is an ongoing commitment, not a one-time project. We continuously work to improve the accessibility of our digital properties.

9.1 Current Initiatives

• Legacy content remediation: Systematically reviewing and updating older content to meet current accessibility standards
• Enhanced keyboard navigation: Implementing additional keyboard shortcuts and improving focus management
• Improved form accessibility: Enhancing form error handling and validation messages
• Better multimedia support: Expanding caption and transcript availability for all video and audio content
• Mobile accessibility: Improving touch target sizes and mobile screen reader support
• Documentation updates: Creating more comprehensive accessibility documentation for users and developers

9.2 Accessibility Governance

We have established internal processes to ensure ongoing accessibility:

• Dedicated accessibility team and coordinator
• Accessibility requirements in our development lifecycle
• Regular accessibility reviews in our QA process
• Accessibility metrics tracked and reported quarterly
• User feedback systematically collected and addressed
• Continuous education and training for all team members

10. Contact Information

We are committed to working with you to ensure you can access our content and services. If you have questions, concerns, or feedback about accessibility, please contact us: