ADA Accessibility Policy for GapCare 

Introduction

At GapCare, accessibility is not just a legal obligation but a core value that guides the development and management of our digital presence. As a healthcare-focused organization, we understand the critical need for equitable access to healthcare resources for individuals of all abilities. This commitment is deeply rooted in our adherence to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and related laws such as Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, which ensures accessibility for people with disabilities.

In this policy, we outline our dedication to ensuring that all users, regardless of physical, sensory, cognitive, or technological limitations, can fully access and benefit from our website, applications, and services. By incorporating globally recognized standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA, we aim to eliminate barriers and deliver a seamless user experience.

This policy also discusses the integration of tools like HubSpot, which provide technical capabilities to support ADA compliance, including accessible templates, cookie consent banners, forms, analytics, and more. Additionally, this document covers the use of assistive technologies, staff training, and regular audits to ensure ongoing compliance.

Our Commitment to Accessibility

At GapCare, our commitment to accessibility goes beyond regulatory compliance. We believe in fostering an inclusive digital ecosystem where individuals with disabilities can easily navigate, interact with, and benefit from our healthcare services. This commitment encompasses:

1. Designing for Inclusivity:

• Incorporating accessibility best practices in the design and development phases of all digital assets, including our website, landing pages, email campaigns, and forms.
• Ensuring that every user interaction is intuitive and accessible, regardless of their abilities or devices.

2. Adherence to Legal and Ethical Standards:

• Aligning with ADA, Section 508, and WCAG 2.1 Level AA guidelines to ensure compliance with legal and ethical standards.
• Extending accessibility efforts to marketing tools, analytics dashboards, and data collection forms.

3. Empowering Users:

• Providing multiple ways for users to customize their experience, such as adjusting text size, enabling high-contrast modes, and navigating via keyboard or voice commands.

4. Continuous Improvement:

• Regularly updating our accessibility policies and practices to align with technological advancements and evolving user needs.

5. Partnerships with Accessibility Experts:

• Collaborating with accessibility consultants and leveraging tools like HubSpot to implement industry-leading solutions.

Features of Our Accessible Digital Platform

GapCare’s digital platform incorporates a wide range of features to ensure accessibility for all users. Each feature is designed to address specific accessibility challenges and is implemented with precision and care.

Keyboard Navigation

Keyboard accessibility is critical for individuals with mobility impairments or those who rely on assistive technologies. At GapCare:

• All interactive elements, including navigation menus, buttons, forms, and pop-ups, are fully operable using a keyboard alone.
• Users can navigate through the site using standard keys such as Tab, Shift+Tab, Enter, and Arrow keys.
• HubSpot’s templates are built with accessibility in mind, ensuring that all custom forms, CTAs, and modals are navigable via keyboard.

Technical Implementation

• Use of tabindex attributes to control focus order and ensure logical navigation.
• Implementation of ARIA roles for enhanced accessibility.

Screen Reader Compatibility

For visually impaired users, screen readers provide a vital means of accessing digital content. GapCare ensures that:

• All images are accompanied by descriptive alt text to provide meaningful context to users.
• Interactive elements, such as links and buttons, have descriptive labels that clearly indicate their purpose.
• HubSpot forms and components are equipped with ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes, making them fully compatible with popular screen readers such as JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver.

Further Technical Implementation

• Usage of semantic HTML to improve readability for screen readers.
• Ensuring all dynamic content updates (e.g., form errors) are announced via ARIA live regions.

Text and Visual Alternatives

Text and visual alternatives are essential for users with hearing, vision, or cognitive impairments. GapCare incorporates:

• Closed captions and transcripts for all video and audio content to make multimedia accessible to individuals with hearing disabilities.
• Descriptive text alternatives for charts, graphs, and infographics, ensuring accessibility for screen reader users.
• High-contrast text options and resizable text to improve readability for users with low vision.

HubSpot Integration

• Videos embedded using HubSpot’s tools support closed captions and transcripts.
• Text alternatives are added to all HubSpot email templates, ensuring compliance in email campaigns.

High Contrast and Readability

Visual clarity is crucial for users with color blindness or low vision. GapCare’s website:

• Uses a high-contrast color scheme to differentiate text from background elements.
• Provides users with the ability to switch to dark mode or high-contrast mode based on their preferences.

Technical Implementation

• Testing color contrast ratios using tools like AXE Accessibility Checker.
• Avoiding reliance on color alone to convey meaning (e.g., using both color and icons to indicate errors).

Time Extensions

Timed interactions can be challenging for users with physical or cognitive disabilities. GapCare ensures:

• Users can request additional time to complete forms or interact with time-sensitive elements.
• HubSpot forms include configurable timeout settings to accommodate user needs.

Leveraging HubSpot for ADA Compliance

HubSpot plays a critical role in GapCare’s accessibility strategy. The following features are particularly relevant:

1. Accessible Templates

• HubSpot offers pre-built templates that are WCAG-compliant and optimized for mobile and desktop users.
• Custom templates are tested to ensure they meet ADA and WCAG standards.

2. Cookie Consent Banner

• HubSpot’s GDPR-compliant cookie consent banner is designed with accessibility in mind, providing clear options to accept, reject, or customize preferences.

3. Form Accessibility

• Forms created in HubSpot are fully accessible, with features such as:
• Descriptive labels for form fields.
• Error messages that are screen-reader friendly.
• ARIA attributes for compatibility with assistive technologies.

4. Analytics and Insights

• HubSpot’s analytics tools help identify potential accessibility barriers by tracking user interactions and bounce rates.

How to Manage Cookies

Managing cookies is an integral part of accessibility and compliance. GapCare provides several options for managing cookies:

1. Cookie Settings Panel

• Users can adjust their preferences directly via the website, choosing to:
• Accept all cookies.
• Reject non-essential cookies.
• Customize preferences for specific categories.

2. Browser Settings

• Users can clear stored cookies or block future cookies through their browser settings.

3. HubSpot Integration

• HubSpot’s cookie tools ensure that all preferences are stored securely and comply with GDPR and ADA standards.

Training and Monitoring

To maintain ADA compliance:

• Staff Training: Developers, designers, and content creators are trained in accessibility best practices.
• Regular Audits: Accessibility audits are conducted quarterly using tools like WAVE, AXE, and HubSpot’s analytics.
• User Feedback: Feedback from users with disabilities is actively sought and incorporated into updates.

Contact Us for Accessibility Support

GapCare is committed to addressing any accessibility concerns. For assistance, please contact us:

Our Accessibility Team is available to ensure that everyone can access and benefit from GapCare’s resources.