Accessibility at EPIC

At EPIC, we want the internet to be accessible to everyone. Therefore, we actively work to ensure our website can be used by as many people as possible – regardless of functional ability or assistive devices.

We strive to follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 level AA, developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). The guidelines help us make the website more accessible for people with, for example, visual impairments, motor difficulties, cognitive disabilities, and other needs.

To support this, we use both technical solutions and features that allow users to customize the website interface according to their own needs and preferences.

Do you have questions or want to get in touch with the person responsible for the website?
Feel free to contact us at: info@epictravelgear.com

Screen readers and keyboard navigation

EPIC uses ARIA attributes (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) and various behavior adaptations to improve the experience for people using screen readers or navigating with a keyboard.

When a user with a screen reader visits the website, a prompt appears to activate a special mode that makes the website easier to use and navigate.

Optimization for screen readers

We use a process that continuously analyzes the website's components to ensure accessibility even when the website is updated.

The process helps with, among other things:

• create clear labels for form fields
• describe clickable icons such as search, social media, and shopping cart
• provide guidance during form validation
• define roles for buttons, menus, and pop-up windows

The system also analyzes images and can create descriptive ALT texts using object recognition. If needed, text in images can be identified with OCR technology (optical character recognition).

To activate screen reader optimization, users can press Alt + 1.

The solution is compatible with common screen readers such as:

• JAWS
• NVDA
• VoiceOver
• TalkBack

Optimization for keyboard navigation

At EPIC, we also work to ensure the website can be fully used with a keyboard.

This includes support for:

• navigate with Tab and Shift + Tab
• use arrow keys in menus
• close menus and pop-up windows with Esc
• activate buttons and links with Enter
• navigate between radio buttons and checkboxes with arrow keys and select with space or Enter

Users navigating with the keyboard also get access to functions such as:

• “Jump to content”
• automatic focus shift to opened popup windows

There are also shortcuts for quick navigation:

• M = menus
• H = headings
• F = forms
• B = buttons
• G = graphics and images

Supported user profiles

Safety profile for epilepsy

Reduces the risk of seizures by removing flashing animations and risky color combinations.

Profile for visual impairment

Adapts the website for users with, for example, impaired vision, tunnel vision, cataracts, or glaucoma.

Profile for cognitive disabilities

Includes assistive tools that facilitate focus and understanding for people with, for example, autism, dyslexia, or aftereffects of stroke (CVA).

ADHD-friendly profile

Reduces distractions and visual noise to make content easier to read and focus on.

Profile for blind users (screen readers)

Makes the website compatible with screen readers like JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack.

Keyboard navigation profile (motor skills)

Facilitates use via keyboard with Tab/Shift+Tab, Enter, and shortcuts M, H, F, B, and G.

Additional customizations for UI, design, and readability

Fonts and readability

Users can change:

• text size
• fonts
• letter spacing
• line spacing
• text alignment

Color and contrast

The website offers several contrast modes, for example:

• light mode
• dark mode
• inverted colors
• monochrome mode

It is also possible to adjust colors for headings, text, and backgrounds.

Animations

Animations, videos, GIFs, and CSS effects can be paused or turned off to reduce risks for users with epilepsy sensitivity.

Content highlighting

It is possible to highlight important elements such as:

• links
• headings
• active focus areas
• elements under the mouse pointer

Sound control

All sound on the website can be turned off directly, which can help users with hearing aids or sensitivity to automatically played sound.

Support for cognitive difficulties

The website offers support tools linked to Wikipedia and Wiktionary to help users understand:

• concepts
• abbreviations
• slang
• expressions

More assistive tools

Additional features include, among others:

• change of cursor size and color
• print mode
• virtual keyboard
• more accessibility tools

How accessible is the website?

We continuously work to improve accessibility on the website. At the same time, we are aware that some parts may still have deficiencies and therefore are not yet fully compliant with the accessibility law.

Content that is not yet fully accessible

Third-party solutions and embedded components

The website may contain components from external providers, for example:

• chat functions
• cookie management
• embedded services and plugins

These may in some cases lack full accessibility adaptation and are sometimes beyond our direct control.

PDF documents and other files

Some documents and files on the website may lack full accessibility adaptation. This may include, for example:

• insufficient information about file formats
• limited access
• content that is not yet fully adapted for assistive tools

We continuously work to identify and improve these areas.

How we test the website

We conduct regular accessibility tests using special tools and compile the results in internal reports to continuously improve the website.

Compatibility with assistive tools and browsers

At EPIC, we strive to support as many browsers and assistive tools as possible to give users the freedom to choose the tools that suit them best.

The website is adapted for the most common browsers, including:

• Google Chrome
• Mozilla Firefox
• Apple Safari
• Opera
• Microsoft Edge

We also support screen readers such as JAWS and NVDA for both Windows and Mac users.

Notes, comments, and feedback

Despite our efforts, there may still be parts of the website that are not yet fully accessible or are under development and improvement.

We continuously continue to develop and improve our accessibility solutions by:

• update features
• implement new technical solutions
• adapt to technical development and new standards

For more information about the technical solution behind the accessibility adaptations, you can read more from our technical provider Selma.

Do you have questions, comments, or notice something that is not working as it should?
Please feel free to contact us at info@epictravelgear.com