1. Our Commitment to Accessibility
Flow Auctions, LLC, a Wyoming limited liability company ("Flow Auctions," "we," "us," or "our") is committed to ensuring that our auction house management platform, marketplace website, mobile applications, dealer platforms, APIs, and all related services (collectively, the "Platform") are accessible to all users, including people with disabilities.
We believe that digital accessibility is not just a legal requirement but a moral imperative that ensures equal access to opportunities in the auction industry. Our goal is to provide an inclusive environment where all users, regardless of their abilities or assistive technologies, can fully participate in auctions, manage their businesses, and engage with our community.
This accessibility statement outlines our ongoing efforts to improve accessibility, current conformance status, known limitations, and how to contact us with accessibility feedback or concerns.
2. Accessibility Standards and Conformance
2.1 Standards We Follow
Our Platform is designed to conform to the following accessibility standards:
- WCAG 2.1 Level AA: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 at Level AA conformance
- Section 508: United States federal accessibility standards
- ADA Title III: Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility requirements
- EN 301 549: European accessibility standard for ICT procurement
- AODA: Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (where applicable)
2.2 Current Conformance Status
WCAG 2.1 Level AA: Substantially Conformant
"Substantially Conformant" means that most content conforms to the standard, with some limitations detailed in Section 6 of this statement. We are actively working to achieve full conformance.
2.3 Scope of Accessibility
This accessibility statement applies to:
- Public Website: All public-facing pages and auction listings
- Dashboard Application: Auction house management interface
- Dealer Platform: Dealer-specific tools and interfaces
- Mobile Applications: iOS and Android applications
- API Documentation: Developer resources and documentation
- Customer Support: Help resources and contact methods
3. Accessibility Features Implemented
3.1 Perceivable Content
We ensure that information and UI components are presented in ways users can perceive:
Visual Design and Color:
- Color Contrast: Minimum 4.5:1 contrast ratio for normal text, 3:1 for large text
- Color Independence: Information is not conveyed by color alone
- High Contrast Mode: Support for operating system high contrast settings
- Dark Mode: Alternative color scheme for low-light environments
- Text Spacing: Adequate spacing between lines, paragraphs, and characters
Text and Typography:
- Scalable Text: Text can be zoomed up to 200% without loss of functionality
- Readable Fonts: Clear, legible typefaces optimized for screen reading
- Text Alternatives: Comprehensive alt text for all meaningful images
- Headings Structure: Logical heading hierarchy (H1-H6) for navigation
- Link Context: Descriptive link text that makes sense out of context
Multimedia Content:
- Video Captions: Closed captions for all video content
- Audio Descriptions: Descriptive audio for visual content in videos
- Image Descriptions: Detailed descriptions for complex auction item images
- Transcript Provision: Text transcripts for audio and video content
3.2 Operable Interface
All interface components and navigation are operable by various input methods:
Keyboard Navigation:
- Full Keyboard Access: All functionality accessible via keyboard
- Logical Tab Order: Sequential navigation that follows content flow
- Visible Focus: Clear visual indicators for keyboard focus
- Skip Links: Quick navigation to main content and sections
- Keyboard Shortcuts: Documented shortcuts for common actions
- No Keyboard Traps: Users can navigate away from any element
Time and Motion:
- Timing Controls: Ability to pause, stop, or extend time limits
- Animation Controls: Option to pause or disable animations
- Auto-refresh Control: Ability to control automatic content updates
- Session Extension: Warning before session timeout with extension option
Auction-Specific Controls:
- Bidding Interface: Accessible bid placement with confirmation steps
- Real-time Updates: Live auction updates announced to screen readers
- Emergency Stop: Ability to quickly cancel or modify bids
- Time Notifications: Clear warnings for auction closing times
3.3 Understandable Information
Information and operation of UI components are understandable:
Content Clarity:
- Plain Language: Clear, concise language appropriate for our audience
- Consistent Navigation: Predictable navigation patterns across the Platform
- Consistent Identification: Same functionality identified consistently
- Context Help: Contextual assistance and tooltips where needed
- Error Prevention: Input validation and confirmation for critical actions
Forms and Input:
- Clear Labels: Descriptive labels for all form controls
- Required Field Indication: Clear marking of required form fields
- Error Identification: Clear error messages with correction suggestions
- Input Assistance: Help text and format examples for complex fields
- Confirmation Steps: Review and confirmation for important transactions
3.4 Robust Compatibility
Content is robust enough to be interpreted by various assistive technologies:
Technical Implementation:
- Valid HTML: Clean, semantic HTML markup that validates
- ARIA Labels: Comprehensive ARIA attributes for screen readers
- Role Definitions: Proper role attributes for custom components
- State Management: Dynamic content states announced to assistive technologies
- Progressive Enhancement: Core functionality works without JavaScript
4. Assistive Technology Compatibility
Our Platform is designed to work with a wide range of assistive technologies:
4.1 Screen Readers
- NVDA: Free, open-source screen reader for Windows
- JAWS: Popular commercial screen reader for Windows
- VoiceOver: Built-in screen reader for macOS and iOS
- TalkBack: Built-in screen reader for Android
- Dragon Naturally Speaking: Voice recognition software
- ORCA: Screen reader for Linux systems
4.2 Other Assistive Technologies
- Screen Magnifiers: ZoomText, MAGic, and built-in magnification tools
- Voice Control: Voice Access, Dragon, and built-in voice controls
- Switch Controls: Alternative input devices for motor impairments
- Eye Tracking: Gaze-based interaction systems
- Alternative Keyboards: On-screen keyboards and specialized input devices
- Browser Extensions: Accessibility-focused browser add-ons
4.3 Platform-Specific Support
Tested Combinations:
- NVDA + Chrome on Windows 10/11
- JAWS + Edge on Windows 10/11
- VoiceOver + Safari on macOS
- VoiceOver + Safari on iOS
- TalkBack + Chrome on Android
- Dragon + Chrome on Windows 10/11
5. Platform-Specific Accessibility Features
5.1 Auction Participation
- Accessible Bidding: Streamlined bidding process with keyboard shortcuts
- Bid History: Clear presentation of bidding history and current status
- Lot Navigation: Efficient navigation between auction lots
- Time Awareness: Multiple formats for time remaining announcements
- Price Announcements: Clear currency and amount formatting
- Bid Confirmation: Multiple confirmation steps for bid placement
5.2 Auction House Management
- Dashboard Navigation: Organized with landmarks and clear headings
- Data Tables: Accessible tables with proper headers and sorting
- Bulk Operations: Accessible multi-select and batch actions
- File Uploads: Accessible drag-and-drop with keyboard alternatives
- Report Generation: Accessible data export and reporting tools
- Settings Management: Clear organization of configuration options
5.3 Mobile Applications
- Native Accessibility: Platform-specific accessibility APIs
- Gesture Alternatives: Non-gesture alternatives for all functions
- Voice Commands: Voice control integration where supported
- Haptic Feedback: Tactile feedback for important actions
- Text Scaling: Respect for system text size preferences
6. Known Limitations and Ongoing Improvements
While we strive for full accessibility, we acknowledge some current limitations that we are actively working to address:
6.1 Current Limitations
Areas for Improvement:
- Real-time Data: Some live auction features may have brief delays in screen reader announcements
- Complex Visualizations: Some chart and graph components have limited accessibility; alternative data views provided
- Third-party Content: Embedded content from partners may not meet our accessibility standards
- Legacy Content: Some historical auction data may lack complete accessibility features
- PDF Documents: Some older documents may not be fully accessible; we're working on remediation
- Video Content: Some user-generated video content may lack captions; we encourage accessible uploads
6.2 Improvement Timeline
Our roadmap for addressing these limitations:
- Q1 2025: Enhanced real-time accessibility for live auctions
- Q2 2025: Alternative accessible views for all data visualizations
- Q3 2025: Third-party content accessibility audits and improvements
- Q4 2025: Legacy content remediation project completion
- Ongoing: Continuous accessibility testing and improvements
7. Testing and Quality Assurance
7.1 Testing Methods
We employ comprehensive testing methods to ensure accessibility:
- Automated Testing: Regular scans using axe-core, WAVE, and Lighthouse
- Manual Testing: Human evaluation with assistive technologies
- User Testing: Regular sessions with users who rely on assistive technologies
- Expert Reviews: Third-party accessibility audits by certified professionals
- Continuous Monitoring: Ongoing accessibility checks in our development pipeline
7.2 Development Process
Accessibility is integrated throughout our development lifecycle:
- Design Phase: Accessibility considerations in all design decisions
- Development Phase: Accessibility requirements in all user stories
- Testing Phase: Accessibility testing before feature release
- Deployment Phase: Accessibility validation in production
- Maintenance Phase: Regular accessibility audits and updates
7.3 Training and Awareness
Our team receives regular accessibility training:
- Developer Training: Accessible coding practices and ARIA implementation
- Designer Training: Inclusive design principles and accessibility guidelines
- QA Training: Accessibility testing methods and assistive technology use
- Content Training: Creating accessible content and alternative formats
- Support Training: Assisting users with accessibility needs
8. Alternative Access Methods
We provide multiple ways to access our content and services:
8.1 Digital Alternatives
- Mobile Apps: Native mobile applications with platform-specific accessibility
- Email Notifications: Text-based updates and notifications
- Phone Support: Voice assistance for platform navigation and transactions
- API Access: Developer APIs for creating custom accessible interfaces
- RSS Feeds: Syndicated content for auction updates and news
8.2 Human Assistance
- Customer Support: Trained accessibility support specialists
- Phone Bidding: Live phone bidding assistance during auctions
- Personal Assistance: One-on-one guidance for platform use
- Documentation Support: Assistance with accessible document formats
9. Feedback and Contact Information
We welcome feedback on the accessibility of our Platform and are committed to addressing accessibility barriers promptly and effectively.
9.1 How to Contact Us
Accessibility Coordinator
Flow Auctions, LLC
Email:
accessibility@flowauctions.com
Subject Line: "Accessibility Feedback" or "Accessibility Issue"
Phone:
1-800-555-1234
Available Monday-Friday, 9 AM - 6 PM EST
Mailing Address:
Flow Auctions, LLC
Accessibility Department
[Principal Place of Business]
Dallas, TX [ZIP Code]
Live Chat:
Available through our Platform with accessibility-trained support agents
9.2 Response Commitment
We are committed to timely responses to accessibility feedback:
- Acknowledgment: Initial response within 1 business day
- Investigation: Thorough review within 5 business days
- Resolution: Fix or workaround provided within 10 business days for critical issues
- Follow-up: Verification that the solution meets your needs
- Documentation: Updates to this statement when significant changes are made
9.3 Information to Include
When reporting accessibility issues, please include:
- Specific page or feature where you encountered the issue
- Description of the accessibility barrier
- Assistive technology you are using (if applicable)
- Browser and operating system information
- Steps to reproduce the issue
- Any workarounds you may have discovered
10. Legal Framework and Enforcement
10.1 Applicable Laws and Standards
Our accessibility efforts are guided by:
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): US federal civil rights law
- Section 508: US federal accessibility standards for technology
- WCAG 2.1: International web accessibility guidelines
- State Accessibility Laws: Compliance with applicable state requirements
- International Standards: EN 301 549 and other regional requirements
10.2 Compliance Monitoring
We maintain ongoing compliance through:
- Regular Audits: Quarterly accessibility assessments
- Legal Review: Annual legal compliance verification
- Industry Standards: Participation in accessibility standards development
- Best Practices: Implementation of emerging accessibility techniques
10.3 Dispute Resolution
If you believe our Platform is not accessible or if you need assistance:
- Internal Resolution: Contact our accessibility team first
- Alternative Dispute Resolution: Mediation services available
- Legal Rights: Information about your legal rights and available remedies
- External Resources: Contact information for relevant enforcement agencies
11. Additional Resources
For more information about web accessibility and assistive technologies:
11.1 Accessibility Information
11.2 Assistive Technology Resources
12. Formal Approval and Review
This accessibility statement was created on January 15, 2025, following a comprehensive accessibility audit of our Platform. The statement reflects our current accessibility status and ongoing commitment to improvement.
Next Review Date: July 15, 2025
Approved by: [Accessibility Coordinator Name], Chief Technology Officer
This statement will be reviewed and updated at least every six months or when significant changes are made to our Platform. We are committed to ensuring this statement remains accurate and up-to-date.
Accessibility Commitment: Flow Auctions is dedicated to providing equal access to our Platform for all users. We view accessibility not as a one-time achievement but as an ongoing journey of improvement and inclusion.