Accessibility Statement

1. Our Commitment

Hydrovac Hotline is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people of all abilities. We believe that everyone should have equal access to our platform and services, regardless of ability or technology used to access the web.

We are continually improving the user experience for everyone and applying relevant accessibility standards to ensure we provide equal access to all users. Our goal is to make our website, services, and content accessible to the widest possible audience.

This accessibility statement applies to hydrovachotline.org and all related services operated by Hydrovac Hotline.

2. Conformance Standards

We aim to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA. These guidelines explain how to make web content more accessible to people with a wide range of disabilities, including:

• Visual impairments (blindness, low vision, color blindness)
• Hearing impairments (deafness, hard of hearing)
• Motor impairments (limited fine motor control)
• Cognitive and learning disabilities

WCAG 2.1 Level AA is the standard referenced by most accessibility regulations worldwide, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.

3. Accessibility Features

We have implemented the following accessibility features across our website:

Keyboard Navigation

• All interactive elements (links, buttons, form fields) are accessible via keyboard using Tab, Enter, and arrow keys
• Visible focus indicators are provided for keyboard users
• Logical tab order follows the visual layout of each page
• Skip-to-content links allow keyboard users to bypass repetitive navigation

Screen Reader Support

• Semantic HTML elements are used throughout the site (headings, landmarks, lists, tables)
• ARIA labels and roles are used where native HTML semantics are insufficient
• All images include meaningful alternative text descriptions
• Form fields have associated labels and error messages are programmatically connected
• Dynamic content changes are announced to screen readers via ARIA live regions

Visual Design

• Color contrast ratios meet or exceed WCAG 2.1 AA requirements (minimum 4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text)
• Information is not conveyed by color alone; additional visual indicators (icons, text labels, patterns) are used alongside color
• Text can be resized up to 200% without loss of content or functionality
• The layout is responsive and adapts to different screen sizes and zoom levels

Content & Forms

• Clear, descriptive link text that makes sense out of context
• Proper heading hierarchy (h1 through h6) for content structure
• Form validation errors are clearly identified and described
• Required form fields are clearly marked
• Sufficient time is provided for reading and completing tasks

4. Known Limitations

Despite our best efforts, some parts of our website may not be fully accessible. We are aware of the following limitations and are actively working to address them:

• Interactive maps: The Mapbox-powered maps used for provider locations and service areas may have limited keyboard navigation and screen reader support. We provide text-based alternatives (provider lists with addresses) alongside all map views.
• Third-party content: Some third-party embedded content (such as Stripe payment forms) may not fully conform to WCAG 2.1 AA standards. We work with vendors who are committed to accessibility.
• PDF documents: Some downloadable documents may not be fully accessible. We are working to remediate existing documents and ensure new documents meet accessibility standards.
• Chat widget: The AI-powered chat widget may have limited accessibility for some assistive technologies. Users can contact us directly via email or phone as an alternative.

We are committed to resolving these limitations and improving accessibility on an ongoing basis. If you encounter any accessibility barriers, please contact us using the information below.

5. Compatible Assistive Technologies

Our website is designed to be compatible with the following assistive technologies:

• Screen readers (NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver, TalkBack)
• Screen magnification software
• Speech recognition software (Dragon NaturallySpeaking)
• Keyboard-only navigation
• Switch devices and alternative input methods

We test our website with popular browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, in combination with the assistive technologies listed above.

6. Feedback & Reporting Issues

We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of Hydrovac Hotline. If you encounter accessibility barriers or have suggestions for improvement, please contact us:

When reporting an accessibility issue, please include:

• A description of the issue you encountered
• The page URL where the issue occurred
• The browser and assistive technology you were using
• Any steps to reproduce the issue

We will acknowledge your feedback within 5 business days and work to resolve accessibility issues as quickly as possible.

7. Enforcement Procedures

If you are not satisfied with our response to your accessibility concern, you may escalate the issue by contacting us directly at support@hydrovachotline.org with the subject line "Accessibility Escalation."

We are committed to responding to accessibility complaints promptly and in good faith. Our goal is to ensure that all users can effectively use our platform.

This statement was prepared on February 17, 2026 and reflects our ongoing efforts to improve accessibility. We regularly review and update this statement as we make improvements to our website.