Accessibility Statement

1. ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS

1.1 Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1

Our website aims to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 at Level AA. These guidelines explain how to make web content more accessible for people with disabilities and more usable for everyone.

1.2 Compliance Status

2. ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES IMPLEMENTED

2.1 Keyboard Navigation

• Tab Navigation: All interactive elements accessible via Tab key
• Skip Links: "Skip to main content" link at top of each page
• Focus Indicators: Clear visual focus indicators (3px orange outline)
• Keyboard Shortcuts: Standard browser shortcuts supported
• No Keyboard Traps: Users can navigate away from any component

2.2 Screen Reader Support

• Semantic HTML: Proper use of headings, lists, tables, and landmarks
• ARIA Labels: Descriptive labels for all interactive elements
• Alt Text: Alternative text for all meaningful images
• Live Regions: ARIA live regions for dynamic content updates (live scores)
• Table Headers: Properly associated headers for data tables

2.3 Visual Design

• Color Contrast: Minimum 4.5:1 ratio for normal text, 3:1 for large text
• Resizable Text: Text can be resized up to 200% without loss of functionality
• Responsive Design: Adapts to different screen sizes and zoom levels
• No Color-Only Information: Information not conveyed by color alone
• Dark Mode Support: High contrast themes available

2.4 Multimedia Content

• Video Captions: Closed captions for all video content
• Audio Descriptions: Descriptions for video-only content (when applicable)
• Transcripts: Text transcripts for audio and video content
• Auto-Play Controls: No auto-playing audio or video

2.5 Forms and Interactive Elements

• Label Association: All form inputs have associated labels
• Error Identification: Clear error messages with suggestions for correction
• Required Field Indicators: Visual and programmatic indicators for required fields
• Accessible Buttons: Buttons clearly identified and operable

3. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY COMPATIBILITY

3.1 Tested Assistive Technologies

Blaze Sports Intel has been tested with the following assistive technology combinations:

3.2 Browser Support

Our website is designed to work with the following browsers and their accessibility features:

• Google Chrome (latest 2 versions)
• Mozilla Firefox (latest 2 versions)
• Microsoft Edge (latest 2 versions)
• Apple Safari (latest 2 versions)
• Mobile browsers: Safari iOS, Chrome Android

4. KNOWN ACCESSIBILITY LIMITATIONS

4.1 Current Limitations

We are aware of the following accessibility challenges and are working to address them:

4.2 Third-Party Content

Some content on our website is provided by third-party services (sports data APIs, embedded videos, social media widgets). While we cannot guarantee the accessibility of third-party content, we:

• Choose providers with strong accessibility commitments
• Provide alternative ways to access information when possible
• Advocate for improved accessibility with our partners
• Offer manual assistance when third-party content is inaccessible

5. ACCESSIBILITY TESTING & MONITORING

5.1 Testing Methodology

We conduct regular accessibility testing using:

• Automated Testing: axe DevTools, Lighthouse, WAVE
• Manual Testing: Keyboard navigation, screen reader testing
• User Testing: Feedback from users with disabilities
• Code Reviews: Accessibility checks during development

5.2 Continuous Improvement

Our accessibility improvement process includes:

1. Quarterly Audits: Comprehensive WCAG 2.1 audits every 3 months
2. Issue Prioritization: Critical issues addressed within 30 days
3. Training: Regular accessibility training for development team
4. Design System: Accessible components built into design system

6. CONTACT US FOR ACCESSIBILITY SUPPORT

6.1 Report Accessibility Issues

6.2 Request Alternative Formats

If you need content in an alternative format (large print, audio, etc.), please contact us:

Email: [email protected]
Subject: "Alternative Format Request"
Turnaround Time: 5-7 business days for most requests

6.3 Accessibility Assistance

Need help navigating our website or accessing specific information?

Email: [email protected]
We can provide:

• Personalized guidance on using assistive technology with our site
• Direct access to specific sports data or statistics
• Assistance with account setup and navigation
• Alternative methods for accessing content

7. LEGAL COMPLIANCE

7.1 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title III

As a digital service provider, we strive to comply with ADA Title III requirements for accessibility of public accommodations. We recognize that our website is a place of public accommodation and work to ensure equal access for all users.

7.2 Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act

While not a federal contractor, we voluntarily align with Section 508 standards to ensure our platform is accessible to federal employees and the public.

7.3 Texas Accessibility Laws

We comply with Texas Government Code Chapter 2054, Subchapter M (Accessibility Standards for State Government) and Texas Human Resources Code provisions regarding accessibility.

7.4 EN 301 549 (European Standard)

For our international users, we aim to conform to EN 301 549, the European accessibility standard that harmonizes with WCAG 2.1.

8. ACCESSIBILITY TRAINING & RESOURCES

8.1 Internal Training

Our team receives regular training on:

• WCAG 2.1 guidelines and best practices
• Accessible design principles
• Assistive technology usage and testing
• Legal requirements (ADA, Section 508, etc.)
• Inclusive design and universal design principles

8.2 Design System Accessibility

Our component library includes:

• Accessible color palettes with contrast ratios documented
• Pre-tested accessible UI components
• ARIA pattern implementations
• Keyboard interaction guidelines

9. USER PREFERENCES

9.1 Accessibility Settings

Registered users can customize accessibility preferences:

• Reduced Motion: Disable animations and transitions
• High Contrast: Enable high contrast mode
• Font Size: Adjust base font size (100%-200%)
• Auto-Refresh: Disable automatic live score updates
• Screen Reader Mode: Optimized layout for screen reader users

9.2 Browser Accessibility Features

Our website respects browser and OS accessibility settings:

• prefers-reduced-motion - Disables animations
• prefers-contrast - Increases contrast ratios
• prefers-color-scheme - Respects dark/light mode preference

10. ACCESSIBILITY ROADMAP

10.1 Short-Term Goals (Q1-Q2 2025)

• Achieve full WCAG 2.1 Level AA conformance for all static pages
• Improve screen reader announcements for live score updates
• Add audio descriptions for video content
• Implement comprehensive keyboard shortcuts

10.2 Medium-Term Goals (Q3-Q4 2025)

• Enhanced accessibility for 3D visualizations (Babylon.js)
• Mobile accessibility improvements
• User testing with disability advocacy groups
• Third-party accessibility audits

10.3 Long-Term Vision

• WCAG 2.2 and future standard compliance
• Industry-leading accessibility features
• Partnerships with accessibility organizations
• Open-source accessibility contributions

11. FEEDBACK & COMPLAINTS

11.1 We Welcome Your Feedback

Your feedback helps us improve accessibility for everyone. Please share:

• Accessibility issues you encounter
• Suggestions for improvement
• Success stories using assistive technology
• Questions about our accessibility features

11.2 Formal Complaints

If you are not satisfied with our response to an accessibility issue:

1. Internal Escalation: Request escalation to accessibility coordinator
2. Written Complaint: Submit formal written complaint to [email protected]
3. Response: Receive detailed response within 10 business days
4. External Recourse: Contact U.S. Department of Justice or file ADA complaint

12. RELATED RESOURCES

12.1 External Accessibility Resources

• W3C Web Accessibility Initiative: www.w3.org/WAI/
• WebAIM (Web Accessibility In Mind): webaim.org
• ADA.gov: www.ada.gov
• Section508.gov: www.section508.gov

12.2 Related Legal Pages