ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT

Breck takes the following measures to ensure the accessibility of the Breck Inc. website:

• Commitment to User Experience: Our company’s commitment to user experience (UX), a core value, informs our dedication to digital accessibility for all. We strive to create inclusive digital environments that cater to diverse user needs.
• Developing Internal Policies: We are actively working to integrate accessibility principles into our internal policies and processes, beginning with our digital forms and internal documents to ensure they are accessible.
• Dedicated Accessibility Leadership: We have dedicated internal leadership for accessibility, including a Section 508 Team Lead who guides our initiatives, provides consultation, and champions accessible practices across our digital projects.
• Setting Accessibility Goals: We establish clear accessibility goals for our digital properties and are continually working to integrate accessibility responsibilities across relevant teams, supported by our internal accessibility leadership.
• Formal Quality Assurance: We developed and employ formal accessibility quality assurance methods, including regular audits using both automated tools and manual testing, to identify and address accessibility barriers on our website.

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) define requirements for designers and developers to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. It defines three levels of conformance: Level A, Level AA, and Level AAA. The Breck website is partially conformant with WCAG 2.1 Level AA. Partially conformant means that some parts of the content don’t fully conform to the accessibility standard.

We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of our website. Please let us know if you encounter accessibility barriers on the Breck Inc. website:

• E-mail: jsmith@breckinc.com
• Phone: (703) 544-7970

We try to respond to feedback within 2 business days.

Accessibility of Breck’s website relies on standard web technologies used within the WordPress content management system and modern web browsers. These technologies are relied upon for conformance with the accessibility standards used.

Despite our best efforts to ensure the accessibility of the Breck Inc. website, there may be some limitations. We’re committed to addressing these, and we welcome your feedback if you observe an issue not listed below.

We have addressed several accessibility issues identified in a previous audit of our website. However, we recognize that digital accessibility is an ongoing commitment, and the following areas require further attention:

• Visible and Non-Functioning “Skip to Content” Links: We’ve identified an issue where visible “skip to content” links are present but don’t function as intended, which can hinder efficient navigation for keyboard-only users and those relying on screen readers. This is a known priority, and we are actively working to implement a robust, accessible solution to significantly improve overall keyboard navigation across our site.
• Homepage Carousel Accessibility: The interactive carousel on our homepage currently presents challenges for keyboard-only users and those relying on screen readers. We recognize this component doesn’t provide an optimal experience for assistive technologies and are prioritizing its redesign to meet WCAG standards.
  
• Image Alternative Text: While most images on our website include alternative text for screen reader users, some alt text may affect the clarity and conciseness for assistive technology users. We are reviewing and refining our approach to image descriptions across the site.
• Color Contrast: In some areas of the website, color contrast between text and background elements might be insufficient, which can impact readability for users with low vision or color blindness. We are actively working to meet WCAG guidelines for color contrast throughout our design.
• Heading Structure: We are in the process of reviewing and correcting heading hierarchies to ensure a logical and consistent flow of information.

As a company specializing in web accessibility audits and comprehensive digital inclusion strategies, we understand the complexities involved in achieving and maintaining WCAG 2.1 Level AA conformance. Our own website reflects the ongoing nature of accessibility work and allows us to continuously apply and refine best practices. When providing accessible website creation services for clients, we ensure that necessary development expertise is integrated to build compliant and user-friendly digital experiences. We’re actively prioritizing and working on solutions for the identified areas on our own site to ensure it fully embodies our commitment to accessible design.

Breck assessed the accessibility of our website through a comprehensive self-evaluation. Our approach included both automated testing, utilizing industry-standard tools and thorough manual testing, including verification with the NVDA screen reader. This allowed us to identify the accessibility barriers detailed in the Limitations section.

Feel free to explain your particular issue so we can investigate further and work to improve the highlighted issue by contacting us at jsmith@breckinc.com.

This Accessibility Statement is approved by Breck Inc.