Accessibility Statement

Shimm is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for all users, including people with disabilities. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone and applying the relevant accessibility standards to ensure we provide equal access to all of our users.

We believe that every Amazon reseller, regardless of ability, should have access to powerful, AI-driven product research tools. Accessibility is not just a legal requirement. It's a core value that guides our design and development decisions.

1. Our Commitment

Shimm strives to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards. These guidelines explain how to make web content more accessible for people with disabilities and more usable for everyone.

Our commitment includes:

• Designing with accessibility in mind from the start of every project
• Regularly testing our platform with assistive technologies
• Training our team on accessibility best practices
• Incorporating user feedback from people with disabilities
• Continuously monitoring and improving our accessibility features

2. Accessibility Features

Keyboard Navigation

Shimm is fully navigable using only a keyboard:

• Tab Navigation: Use the Tab key to move forward through interactive elements and Shift+Tab to move backward
• Enter/Space: Activate buttons, links, and controls
• Arrow Keys: Navigate within menus, dropdowns, and data tables
• Escape Key: Close modals, dropdowns, and dialogs
• Focus Indicators: Clear visual focus indicators show which element is currently selected
• Skip Links: "Skip to main content" links allow keyboard users to bypass repetitive navigation

Screen Reader Compatibility

Our platform is designed to work seamlessly with popular screen readers:

• NVDA (Windows): Fully tested and compatible
• JAWS (Windows): Fully tested and compatible
• VoiceOver (macOS, iOS): Optimized for Apple devices
• TalkBack (Android): Tested on mobile devices
• Semantic HTML: Proper use of headings, landmarks, and ARIA labels for clear structure
• Alt Text: All meaningful images include descriptive alternative text
• Form Labels: All form fields have properly associated labels
• Live Regions: Dynamic content updates are announced to screen reader users

Visual Accessibility

We've designed Shimm with visual accessibility in mind:

• Color Contrast: All text and interactive elements meet WCAG 2.1 AA contrast ratios (minimum 4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text)
• Color Independence: Information is never conveyed by color alone. We use icons, patterns, and text labels
• Resizable Text: Text can be resized up to 200% without loss of functionality or content
• Responsive Design: The interface adapts to different screen sizes and orientations
• Clear Typography: Readable fonts with appropriate spacing and line height
• High Contrast Mode: Compatible with operating system high contrast settings

Assistive Technology Support

Shimm is designed to work with a wide range of assistive technologies, including:

• Screen magnification software
• Voice recognition software (e.g., Dragon NaturallySpeaking)
• Switch devices and alternative input methods
• Browser extensions for accessibility (e.g., Read&Write, Helperbird)

3. Content Accessibility

We ensure that all content on Shimm is accessible:

• Clear Language: We use plain language and avoid unnecessary jargon
• Logical Structure: Content is organized with proper heading hierarchy (H1, H2, H3, etc.)
• Descriptive Links: Link text clearly describes the destination or action
• Tables: Data tables include proper headers and captions for screen reader users
• Charts and Graphs: Visual data includes text alternatives and accessible data tables
• Error Messages: Clear, specific error messages with suggestions for resolution
• Time Limits: Users can extend or disable time limits when necessary

4. Mobile Accessibility

Shimm's mobile experience includes accessibility features:

• Touch Target Size: All interactive elements meet minimum size requirements (44x44 pixels)
• Gesture Alternatives: Complex gestures have simple alternatives
• Screen Reader Support: Optimized for mobile screen readers (VoiceOver, TalkBack)
• Orientation: Content adapts to both portrait and landscape orientations
• Pinch-to-Zoom: Zooming is not disabled on mobile devices

5. Third-Party Content and Services

Shimm integrates with third-party services, including Amazon's Product Advertising API. While we cannot control the accessibility of external services, we strive to:

• Choose partners committed to accessibility
• Provide accessible alternatives where possible
• Clearly label external content and services
• Work with vendors to improve accessibility when issues are identified

6. Known Limitations and Ongoing Work

We are committed to transparency about areas where we are still working to improve:

• Some complex data visualizations may require alternative text descriptions
• Certain advanced filtering features are being optimized for keyboard-only navigation
• We are continuously enhancing ARIA labels for dynamic content updates

These issues are actively being addressed in our development roadmap. We appreciate your patience and welcome feedback as we continue to improve.

7. Testing and Validation

We employ multiple methods to ensure accessibility compliance:

• Automated Testing: Regular scans using tools like axe DevTools, Lighthouse, and WAVE
• Manual Testing: Comprehensive keyboard and screen reader testing by our team
• User Testing: Feedback sessions with users who rely on assistive technologies
• Third-Party Audits: Periodic accessibility audits by certified accessibility specialists
• Browser Testing: Testing across major browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) and assistive technology combinations

8. Conformance Status

Shimm aims to conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards. This means we strive to meet all Level A and Level AA success criteria.

10. Formal Complaints

If you are not satisfied with our response to your accessibility concern, you have the right to file a formal complaint. In the United States, you may contact the U.S. Department of Justice or file a complaint with the appropriate state or local civil rights office.

11. Continuous Improvement

Accessibility is an ongoing commitment. We continuously work to improve the accessibility of Shimm through:

• Regular accessibility audits and testing
• Incorporating accessibility into our development process
• Staying current with WCAG updates and best practices
• Training our team on accessibility standards
• Listening to feedback from users with disabilities

As we add new features and functionality, we ensure they meet or exceed our accessibility standards from day one.

12. Additional Resources

Learn more about web accessibility:

• WCAG 2.1 Quick Reference
• W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)