Accessibility Statement

Shiv.nyc is committed to making its website accessible to all people, regardless of ability or disability. We believe that inclusive design is good design—it benefits everyone and aligns with our values as design professionals. We aim to comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 at the AA level and continue to improve accessibility across the site. 

ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES 

Visual & Design
- Color Contrast: Text and interactive elements meet WCAG AA color contrast standards (4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text)
- Responsive Design: The site is fully responsive and functions across all device sizes and orientations
- Clear Typography: Readable font sizes (minimum 16px),line-height, and spacing for comfortable reading
- Focus Indicators: Visible focus indicators for keyboard navigation
- Alternative Text: Images include descriptive alt text where appropriate 

Navigation & Interaction
- Keyboard Navigation: The entire site is navigable using keyboard (Tab, Enter, Arrow keys)
- Skip Links: Skip to main content links allow users to bypass repetitive navigation
- Form Labels: All form fields have clear, associated labels
- Error Messages: Form errors are clearly identified with suggestions for correction
- Interactive Elements: Buttons, links, and form controls are clearly identifiable and labeled 

Content & Structure
- Semantic HTML: The site uses proper heading hierarchy (H1,H2, H3) for logical content structure
- Page Headings: Each page has a clear H1 heading describing its purpose
- Link Text: Links use descriptive text (not "click here" or "read more" alone)
- Lists & Formatting: Content uses proper lists and formatting elements
- Language: Content is written clearly with defined language for the page 

Media & Multimedia
- Video: Videos include captions (where applicable)
- Audio: Audio content includes transcripts (where applicable)
- No Auto-Play: Media does not auto-play on page load Assistive Technology
- Screen Readers: The site is compatible with popular screen readers including NVDA, JAWS, and Voice Over
- Browser Extensions: The site works with accessibility browser extensions and overlays- Zoom: Content remains usable when zoomed up to 200% 

KNOWN LIMITATIONS 

While we've worked to make our site as accessible as possible, some areas may have limitations: 
- Third-Party Content: Portfolio case studies or embedded content from external sources may not meet all accessibility standards
- Legacy Portfolio Examples: Some past work shown in case studies may have been created under different accessibility standards
- PDF Files: Older PDF documents may not be fully accessible; we're working to remediate these 

TOOLS & TECHNOLOGIES 

We use the following to maintain and improve accessibility:
- Automated accessibility testing tools
- Manual keyboard and screen reader testing
- Accessibility review during design and development
- Ongoing monitoring and updates 

ACCESSIBILITY FEEDBACK 

Your feedback is important in helping us improve accessibility.
If you encounter accessibility barriers or have suggestions, please let us know: 

Email: hi@shiv.nyc
Subject: Accessibility Issue - shiv.nyc 

Please include:-
A description of the accessibility barrier
- The page or feature affected
- How you're accessing the site (browser, assistive technology, device)
- Suggested improvements (if any) We will review your feedback and work to address issues as quickly as possible. 

STANDARDS & GUIDELINES
 
We aim to follow:
-WCAG 2.1 Level AA - Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
- Section 508 - US Federal accessibility standards
- ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) - Web accessibility requirements
- Best Practices - Industry recommendations and accessibility research 

BROWSER & ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT

The site is tested and compatible with:
- Browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge (latest versions)
- Screen Readers: NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver, TalkBack
- Zoom Tools: Browser zoom, text-only zoom
- Keyboard Navigation: Full keyboard access 

ACCESSIBILITY RESOURCES 

For more information about web accessibility, visit:
- WCAG 2.1 Guidelines:https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG21/quickref/
- Web AIM: https://webaim.org/
- The A11Y Project: https://www.a11yproject.com/
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):https://www.ada.gov/ 

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT 

Accessibility is an ongoing commitment. We regularly:- Test the site with accessibility tools- Gather feedback from users- Update content and features based on accessibility standards- Train our team on accessible design practices- Review and improve accessibility over time 

STATEMENT COMMITMENT 

As someone who believes that good design serves everyone, Shiv is committed to creating digital experiences that are not just beautiful and functional—but truly inclusive. We recognize that accessibility isn't a feature; it's a fundamental aspect of good design. If you're unable to access any part of our site, or if you'd like to discuss accessibility for a potential project, please reach out. We'd love to work together. 

- Last Updated: October 2025
Next Review Date: October 2026 

For questions or feedback about this Accessibility Statement, contact: hi@shiv.nyc