Creating a Digital World Where Everyone Belongs

At Modal®, we believe the internet should be an inclusive space where everyone can participate, regardless of their abilities or circumstances. As digital designers and developers, we recognise our responsibility to champion accessibility across everything we create, both for ourselves and our clients.

Our Accessibility Philosophy

Digital accessibility isn't just about compliance, it's about human connection. Every person deserves equal access to information, services, and experiences online. By designing with accessibility in mind, we create better products for everyone.

We understand that people interact with digital content in diverse ways:

• Some use screen readers or voice recognition software
• Others navigate exclusively by keyboard
• Many rely on clear visual hierarchy and readable text
• Some need captions and transcripts for audio content
• Many benefit from simple, intuitive interfaces

Our team is committed to understanding these varied needs and incorporating solutions that work for all users, not just the majority.

How We Approach Accessibility

On Our Own Digital Platforms

At Modal®, we strive to meet Level AAA compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1), the internationally recognised standard for digital accessibility. Our ongoing efforts include:

1. Thoughtful Visual Design
   • Maintaining strong colour contrast for text and interactive elements
   • Creating clear visual hierarchy that guides users through content
   • Avoiding designs that rely solely on colour to convey meaning
   • Using readable fonts and appropriate text sizing
2. Inclusive User Experience
   • Designing intuitive navigation that works across different input methods
   • Creating consistent, predictable interfaces throughout our site
   • Providing clear feedback when users interact with elements
   • Ensuring forms and interactive components are accessible to all users
3. Technical Implementation
   • Writing semantic HTML that communicates content structure to assistive technologies
   • Implementing proper ARIA attributes where needed
   • Ensuring keyboard navigability throughout all interfaces
   • Testing with various assistive technologies
4. Content Considerations
   • Providing descriptive alternative text for images
   • Including captions and transcripts for video and audio content
   • Writing in clear, straightforward language
   • Structuring content with proper headings and landmarks
5. Enhanced Navigation Features
   • Skip-to-content links for keyboard users
   • Ability to pause animations and motion effects
   • Clear focus indicators for keyboard navigation
   • Logical tab order through interactive elements
6. Continuous Improvement
   • Regular accessibility audits using automated and manual testing
   • Staying current with evolving accessibility standards and best practices
   • Soliciting feedback from users with diverse abilities
   • Implementing improvements based on new insights and technologies

In Client Work and Deliverables

Our commitment to accessibility extends to the work we deliver for clients:

• We advocate for accessibility considerations from the earliest project phases
• We educate clients on the importance and benefits of accessible design
• We incorporate accessibility testing into our quality assurance processes
• We provide guidance on maintaining accessibility after project handover
• We develop accessible components and patterns that can be reused across projects

Training and Team Development

Accessibility is everyone's responsibility at Modal®:

• Our designers receive training on accessible design principles
• Our developers learn techniques for implementing accessible interfaces
• Our content creators understand how to write and structure accessible content
• Our project managers include accessibility requirements in planning
• Our leadership team champions accessibility as a core company value

Technical Accessibility Features

Our website includes numerous technical features to enhance accessibility:

• Semantic HTML Structure: We use proper HTML elements to define the structure of our content, making it easier for assistive technologies to interpret and navigate.
• ARIA Attributes: When standard HTML elements aren't sufficient, we use ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes to provide additional context to assistive technologies.
• Keyboard Accessibility: All interactive elements are accessible via keyboard, with visible focus states and logical tab order.
• Screen Reader Compatibility: Our site is tested with popular screen readers (NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver) to ensure compatibility.
• Responsive Design: Our site adapts to different screen sizes and orientations, ensuring usability across devices.
• Text Resizing: Content remains readable and functional when text is resized up to 200%.
• Form Accessibility: All forms include proper labels, error messages, and validation feedback.
• Media Alternatives: We provide captions, transcripts, or text alternatives for audio and video content.
• Animation Control: Users can pause, stop, or hide any moving, blinking, or scrolling content.
• Adequate Time: When time limits exist, users can extend, adjust, or turn them off.

Legal and Compliance Considerations

This accessibility policy is informed by international standards and legal frameworks including:

• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1
• BS 8878 Web Accessibility Code of Practice
• Equality Act 2010 (UK)
• European Accessibility Act
• Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018

We continuously monitor changes in accessibility laws and standards to ensure our practices remain current and compliant.

Third-Party Content and Limitations

While we strive to make all aspects of our website accessible, we may occasionally integrate third-party content or tools that are outside our direct control. In these cases:

• We prioritise accessible third-party solutions when options exist
• We provide alternative methods to access essential information or services
• We communicate with third-party providers about accessibility concerns
• We document known accessibility limitations transparently

Continuous Improvement Through Feedback

Accessibility is a journey, not a destination. We're committed to ongoing improvement and recognise that there's always more we can do. Your experiences and insights are invaluable in helping us create a more accessible website.

If you encounter barriers when using our site, have suggestions for improvement, or want to share your experience, please contact us:

Modal®
4 Naval St, Ancoats
Manchester, M4 6EW
United Kingdom

Email: hello@modal.digital
Phone: 0161 399 3065

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Our accessibility efforts are part of our broader commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe that diverse perspectives lead to better design, and that inclusive digital experiences benefit everyone. By creating accessible websites and applications, we're working toward a digital landscape where all people can participate fully, regardless of their abilities or circumstances.

Thank you for your interest in our accessibility practices.

Together, we can build a more inclusive digital world.

Last Updated: March 25, 2025