Accessibility Statement for an Online Shoe Store

An Accessibility Statement is important for ensuring that your online store is inclusive and accessible to all customers, including those with disabilities. It demonstrates your commitment to making your website usable for everyone, regardless of their abilities or technologies they use.

Below is a sample Accessibility Statement for an online shoe store. This is a general template, and it’s a good idea to consult with accessibility experts or legal professionals to ensure your store meets relevant accessibility standards and regulations.

Accessibility Statement

At [Your Store Name], we are committed to ensuring that our website, [your website URL] (“Site”), is accessible to all individuals, including people with disabilities. We strive to provide a website that is usable by everyone, regardless of their device or the assistive technology they may use. This Accessibility Statement outlines our commitment to making the shopping experience on our site accessible and user-friendly.

1. Commitment to Accessibility

We are continuously working to improve the accessibility of our website to meet the needs of all customers. We aim to comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 at the AA level and applicable accessibility standards, as well as relevant laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and European Union Accessibility Directive, where applicable.

2. Accessibility Features

• Text Alternatives: We provide text alternatives (alt text) for images, so users with visual impairments can understand the content through screen readers or other assistive devices.
• Keyboard Navigation: The Site can be navigated using a keyboard alone. We are committed to ensuring that all users can complete purchases, browse products, and interact with the Site through keyboard shortcuts.
• Accessible Forms: All forms (such as account registration, checkout, and contact forms) are designed with proper labels, error identification, and instructions to make it easier for users with screen readers or assistive technologies.
• Readable Fonts and Contrast: We ensure that the text on our website has sufficient contrast with the background to aid readability for those with visual impairments. We also use clear and simple fonts.
• Responsive Design: Our website adapts to various devices, screen sizes, and orientations, ensuring it is usable for mobile users and those with different screen resolutions.
• Audio and Video Accessibility: Where audio or video content is provided, we offer transcripts or captions whenever possible.

3. Feedback and Assistance

We welcome feedback on the accessibility of our website. If you encounter any barriers or have difficulty accessing any part of the Site, please contact us so we can assist you.

• Email: [accessibility email address]
• Phone: [customer service phone number]
• Address: [company address]

We will do our best to respond promptly and make any necessary adjustments to ensure a better user experience.

4. Third-Party Content and External Links

Please note that some third-party services or external links on our Site (e.g., payment gateways, social media platforms, and product reviews) may not fully conform to accessibility standards. While we strive to partner with accessible vendors, we cannot guarantee the accessibility of third-party content.

5. Ongoing Improvements

We are committed to continuous improvement. Our team regularly conducts accessibility audits and user testing to identify and resolve accessibility issues. As part of our ongoing efforts, we aim to meet or exceed WCAG 2.1 guidelines.

We will update this Accessibility Statement regularly to reflect any changes in our accessibility practices or features. The last updated date at the bottom of this page indicates when the Accessibility Statement was last reviewed.

6. Compliance with Accessibility Standards

We aim to meet or exceed the accessibility requirements set forth by the following standards:

• WCAG 2.1: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (Level AA).
• ADA Compliance: Americans with Disabilities Act (for U.S.-based websites).
• EU Accessibility Directive: European Union regulations for web accessibility.