Accessibility
Compliance

Nighthawk Marketing helps companies and organization ensure that people with disabilities have access to the same digitally-based services and content that are available to people without disabilities. Digital content should provide similar functionality, experience, and information access to individuals with disabilities as it provides to others.

Many people with disabilities use “assistive technology” to enable them to use computers and access the internet. Blind people who cannot see computer monitors may use screen readers – devices that speak the text that would normally appear on a monitor. People who have difficulty using a computer mouse can use voice recognition software to control their computers with verbal commands. People with other types of disabilities may use still other kinds of assistive technology.

W3C
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) sets the main international standards for the internet and its accessibility. Most W3C work revolves around the standardization of web technologies, such as HTML, XML, CSS, etc. They follow processes that promote the development of high-quality standards and recommendations based on the consensus of their membership, team, and public.
Learn more about W3C

WCAG 2.1
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) was developed through the W3C process to provide a single shared standard for web content accessibility that meets the needs of individuals, organizations, and governments internationally. WCAG 2.1 is a most updated technical standard with 12 guidelines that are organized under 4 principles: perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. For each guideline, there are testable success criteria, which are at three levels: A (must support), AA (should support), and AAA (may support).
Learn more about WCAG 2.1

Section 508
The US Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was amended in 1986 and again in 1998 to include all information technology, including computer hardware, software, and documentation. These amendments, known as Section 508, also created enforcement measures to mandate compliance for websites, documents, and applications developed with US Federal funding or for US government agencies.
Learn more about Section 508

Comprehensive Accessibility Compliance Services

Accessibility for Websites
We closely follow web accessibility guidelines to ensure that the websites we design and build are accessible to and usable by everyone. Below are some of the accessibility features you will find with our websites.

• Good use of HTML headings
• Accessible with keyboard
• Accessible images
• Accessible menus
• Accessible forms
• Accessible tables
• Effective use of color
• Meaningful link text
• ARIA landmark roles
• ARIA for web applications

Captioning & Audio Descriptions for Videos
We carefully transcribe all audio elements, including the dialogue, sound effects, and other essential, nonverbal features. All unfamiliar terms are diligently researched for proper spelling. This text is then formatted into easy-to-read captions, positioned on the screen to avoid graphics and to indicate the speaker, and timed to appear with the related audio and video of the program. We compare the captioning against the voice track to check for accuracy and timing and make any changes to the captioned file as needed. Once the video is approved by the client, we provide both source and final files to the client.

Remediation for Online Document Files
We provide fast, reliable, and accurate document accessibility testing and remediation for existing online documents. Document types include PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and InDesign files. We’ll ensure documents meet Section 508 standards and WCAG 2.0 guidelines and can be used by people with disabilities. Our remediation services fall into two categories.

1. Document Accessibility Audit: We audit your document and list the accessibility issues. The report will include detailed recommendations on how to fix the accessibility issues.
2. Document Remediation: We take your document at whatever stage it is in and make it accessible. We deliver both the accessible document and a detailed report on how your document meets the accessibility guidelines.

Creation & Conversion for Documents & Templates
Document accessibility can be performed at any point during a project, including early planning, design, development, or testing. We understand that development schedules are often predetermined so we collaborate with clients to realistically plan the project. It is preferable to perform the majority of the work necessary to properly structure and prepare a document for accessibility directly in the source file, such as InDesign or Word.