Accessibility & Section 508

Last updated: August 2025

The Hillen Group (“THG”) is committed to building inclusive digital experiences that meet or exceed WCAG 2.2 AA and Section 508 requirements. This page outlines our conformance approach, known limitations, and how to contact us if you encounter a barrier.

Our Accessibility Standard

We strive to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 Level AA and U.S. Section 508. Our front-end system uses semantic HTML, keyboard navigability, visible focus, sufficient color contrast, and robust ARIA only where needed.

Design & Development Practices

  • Semantic headings (h1–h6) and landmark roles.
  • Consistent navigation and skip-to-content links.
  • Keyboard operability for all interactive controls.
  • Focus states with visible outlines for all inputs/links.
  • Color contrast targets ≥ 4.5:1 for normal text.
  • Form labels, instructions, and error messaging with ARIA-live.
  • Captions/transcripts for time-based media when applicable.
  • Descriptive alt text for non-decorative images.
  • Reduced-motion preferences respected where possible.

Keyboard Navigation

Our pages are designed to be fully navigable via keyboard:

  • Tab / Shift+Tab — Move focus forward/back
  • Enter — Activate focused control
  • Space — Toggle buttons/checkboxes
  • Esc — Dismiss menus/modals when open

Assistive Technology Support

We test with combinations including NVDA + Firefox, JAWS + Edge, VoiceOver + Safari, TalkBack + Chrome on Android, and built-in magnifier/high-contrast modes. Actual support can vary by AT, OS, and browser versions.

Testing & Continuous Improvement

Our process includes automated and manual checks:

  • Lighthouse, axe DevTools, WAVE, and eslint-plugin-jsx-a11y
  • Keyboard-only walkthroughs and screen reader spot checks
  • Color contrast auditing and focus order reviews

Accessibility is an ongoing effort. We track issues, prioritize fixes, and review new components before release.

Known Limitations

While we aim for full conformance, some third-party embeds or historical documents may not fully meet WCAG 2.2 AA. When we identify issues, we work to provide accessible alternatives.

  • Third-party iframes or widgets with limited ARIA control
  • Legacy PDFs not yet remediated
  • Occasional animation that may need motion-reduction tweaks

Request an Accessible Alternative

Need content in a different format (e.g., tagged PDF, large print, transcript)? Email accessibility@thehillengroup.net with the page or document link and your preferred format.

Feedback & Contact

If you encounter a barrier, please contact us. Include the page URL, a brief description, and your browser/assistive tech.

Conformance Statement

THG aims to conform with WCAG 2.2 Level AA and Section 508. Formal audits are scheduled periodically. This statement reflects the current implementation status and will be updated as improvements are released.