Accessibility - echologists.com

Commitment to Accessibility

ECHOLOGISTS is committed to creating an educational website and digital experience that can be used by as many people as reasonably possible, including people with disabilities.

ECHOLOGISTS recognizes that users may access educational content using:

screen readers;
keyboard navigation;
voice-recognition software;
screen magnification;
captions and transcripts;
alternative input devices;
reduced-motion settings;
high-contrast settings; and
other assistive technologies.

Accessibility is treated as an ongoing responsibility rather than a one-time project.

Accessibility Standard

ECHOLOGISTS aims to progressively align its website and digital content with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, version 2.2, Level AA, where reasonably practicable.

This is an accessibility target and does not constitute a claim that every page, file, embedded item, or feature currently conforms fully with every WCAG 2.2 Level AA success criterion.

Applicable Ontario accessibility requirements will also be considered as ECHOLOGISTS develops.

Current and Ongoing Accessibility Work

ECHOLOGISTS is working to support accessibility through measures such as:

clear and consistent navigation;
descriptive page titles;
logical heading structures;
readable typography;
sufficient text contrast;
visible keyboard-focus indicators;
keyboard-accessible links and controls;
descriptive link text;
meaningful alternative text for informative images;
labels and instructions for forms;
understandable error messages;
responsive layouts;
support for browser zoom;
reduced-motion behaviour for non-essential animation;
captions or transcripts where reasonably available;
semantic website structure;
avoidance of unnecessary flashing content;
accessible colour choices; and
identification of required form fields.

Accessibility improvements may be implemented gradually as pages, educational resources, and website features are reviewed or rebuilt.

Echocardiography and Highly Visual Content

ECHOLOGISTS publishes highly visual educational material, including:

echocardiographic images;
cine loops;
Doppler tracings;
anatomical diagrams;
measurements;
colour-flow images;
case comparisons;
videos; and
image-based quizzes.

Some medical-imaging concepts cannot be communicated fully through a brief text alternative alone.

Where reasonably practicable, ECHOLOGISTS may provide surrounding explanatory text, captions, labels, written findings, case summaries, transcripts, extended descriptions, or alternative educational explanations.

Alternative descriptions are educational and do not replace direct clinical image review or professional interpretation.

Animation and Motion

The website may contain animation, background video, hover effects, transitions, or other moving visual elements.

Where reasonably possible, ECHOLOGISTS will:

avoid unnecessary flashing;
limit distracting movement;
respect a user’s reduced-motion preference;
provide static alternatives for non-essential motion; and
ensure important information is not available only through animation.

Some educational cine loops necessarily contain motion because movement is central to echocardiographic interpretation.

Colour and Contrast

ECHOLOGISTS uses a visual design that includes dark, daylight, monochrome, and accent-colour treatments.

ECHOLOGISTS aims to:

maintain readable text contrast;
avoid using colour as the only method of communicating essential meaning;
provide visible focus and active states;
support dark and daylight viewing modes; and
review text placed over imagery or video.

Certain medical images inherently rely on diagnostic colour maps. Where possible, accompanying labels or text will clarify the relevant educational point.

Keyboard Navigation

ECHOLOGISTS aims to make essential website functionality usable without a mouse.

This includes working toward:

logical tab order;
visible keyboard focus;
keyboard-operable menus;
keyboard-operable buttons;
accessible disclosure controls;
keyboard-accessible forms; and
avoidance of keyboard traps.

Users who encounter a control that cannot be accessed or operated by keyboard are encouraged to report it.

Forms and Account Features

ECHOLOGISTS aims to provide forms that include:

visible labels;
clear instructions;
identified required fields;
understandable validation messages;
keyboard operation;
meaningful button names; and
sufficient time to complete the form where reasonably possible.

Third-party account, checkout, payment, CAPTCHA, or embedded-form components may have accessibility limitations outside the direct control of ECHOLOGISTS.

Video, Audio, and Embedded Media

Where reasonably practicable, ECHOLOGISTS aims to provide captions, transcripts, summaries, or equivalent information for prerecorded educational media.

Some older, third-party, social-media, or user-submitted videos may not yet contain complete captions or transcripts.

Embedded content from services such as YouTube, Instagram, or other platforms may have accessibility features or limitations controlled by the third-party provider.

Downloadable Documents

ECHOLOGISTS may provide:

PDF files;
Word documents;
checklists;
study guides;
graphics;
worksheets; and
other downloadable resources.

Some older or third-party documents may not be fully optimized for screen readers, keyboard navigation, text reflow, or other assistive technologies.

ECHOLOGISTS intends to improve document accessibility as materials are reviewed, updated, or replaced.

An accessible alternative may be requested using the contact details below.

Known Limitations

Despite ongoing efforts, accessibility limitations may include:

older educational graphics without complete alternative descriptions;
complex echocardiographic images that are difficult to describe concisely;
third-party embeds;
social-media content;
externally hosted payment or account interfaces;
older downloadable files;
user-submitted materials;
technical limitations of WordPress themes or plugins;
content that has not yet undergone a formal accessibility audit; and
temporary issues created by website updates.

The presence of a limitation does not mean ECHOLOGISTS considers it unimportant. Issues may be prioritized according to severity, frequency, available resources, and impact on access.

Accessible Formats and Communication Supports

You may request information in an accessible format or request a reasonable communication support.

Depending on the material and the user’s needs, possible alternatives may include:

accessible HTML;
structured Word documents;
large print;
plain-text content;
written transcripts;
captioned media;
extended image descriptions; or
another reasonably available format.

ECHOLOGISTS will consult with the requester where necessary to understand which format or support would be suitable.

ECHOLOGISTS will make reasonable efforts to provide an appropriate alternative in a timely manner and, where required by applicable law, without charging more than the regular cost of the information.

Accessibility Feedback

ECHOLOGISTS welcomes feedback about accessibility barriers.

A report may include:

the webpage or resource involved;
a description of the barrier;
the browser or device being used;
the assistive technology involved, where relevant;
the format or support requested; and
contact information for a response.

You are not required to disclose a diagnosis or unnecessary medical information when reporting an accessibility concern.

Accessibility requests and feedback may be sent to support@echologists.com using the subject line ACCESSIBILITY REQUEST.

ECHOLOGISTS will review the concern in good faith and may contact you for clarification or to discuss a suitable alternative.

Third-Party Content

Some website features rely on third-party platforms that ECHOLOGISTS does not fully control.

ECHOLOGISTS cannot guarantee the accessibility of:

external websites;
social-media platforms;
embedded posts;
third-party videos;
payment interfaces;
account plugins;
external publications; or
linked documents.

ECHOLOGISTS may contact a provider, provide an alternative, replace the content, or offer surrounding explanatory information where reasonably practicable.

Technical Compatibility

The website is intended to work with reasonably current versions of commonly used browsers, operating systems, and assistive technologies.

Older or unsupported software may not display or operate every feature correctly.

Users experiencing a technical accessibility issue should provide the browser, device, operating system, and assistive technology involved where they are comfortable doing so.