Accessibility Resources

Accessibility compliance at Costco is an important topic. Here we've assembled a basic introduction to digital Accessibility for Costco. Here we cover the why we comply and how we comply. While this is not an exhaustive guide on everything you need to know regarding accessibility along for your apps, sites, and interfaces, we hope we at least give you the basics, and resources to get started.

Introduction


Why We Comply: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in various areas, including employment, transportation, public accommodations, and services. Title 3 of the ADA specifically addresses public accommodations, which includes digital spaces.
Courts have increasingly interpreted Title 3 to include digital spaces, such as websites, mobile applications, and other online platforms. This means that businesses, like Costco, are required to provide equal access to their digital services for individuals with disabilities.

Key Provisions of Title 3:

  • Equal Access: Businesses must provide equal access to their digital services for individuals with disabilities.
  • Reasonable Accommodations: Businesses must provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access, such as providing alternative text for images or closed captions for videos.
  • Effective Communication: Businesses must communicate effectively with individuals with disabilities, including providing clear and concise language on their website and mobile applications.

Learn more at ADA.gov



How We Comply: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

To ensure compliance with the ADA, Costco adheres to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA standard. WCAG provides a comprehensive set of guidelines for creating accessible digital content, including:

  • Perceivable: Ensure that digital content can be perceived by users, including those with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive disabilities.
  • Operable: Ensure that digital content can be operated by users, including those with mobility or dexterity impairments.
  • Understandable: Ensure that digital content can be understood by users, including those with cognitive or learning disabilities.
  • Robust: Ensure that digital content can be accessed by users with a wide range of technologies and devices.

WCAG 2.2 AA Guidelines

WCAG 2.2 AA provides a detailed set of guidelines for creating accessible digital content.
Some key guidelines include:
  • Color Contrast: Ensure that text and background colors have sufficient contrast to be readable by users with visual impairments.
  • Alternative Text: Provide alternative text for images, including descriptions of the image and its purpose.
  • Closed Captions: Provide closed captions for videos and audio content to ensure that users with hearing impairments can access the content.

Helpful Links

Resources & Testing

Ensuring accessibility requires proactive testing and evaluation. Below are examples of tools and methods to identify and address potential issues in your digital projects, divided into device-based testing and automated solutions.


Testing on Devices

Manual testing with assistive technologies simulates how individuals with disabilities interact with digital content. Screen readers, which convert on-screen text to speech or braille, are essential for this process. Examples of these configurations include:

  • On Windows: NVDA + Chrome: The Desktop Access (NVDA) screen reader is a free, widely used tool that pairs effectively with the Google Chrome browser. This combination allows you to evaluate how well your site or application supports users who rely on auditory feedback.
  • On Apple Devices: VoiceOver + Safari: VoiceOver, built into macOS and iOS, is Apple's native screen reader. When used with the Safari browser, it provides insight into the experience of users navigating your content on Apple platforms.
These tests help verify that navigation, content structure, and interactive elements are compatible with assistive technologies, offering a practical perspective on real-world usability. Additionally, frequent testing using these methods can give new perspective on alternative ways digital content is/can be consumed.



Automated Tools

Automated tools complement manual testing by scanning digital content for common accessibility issues. While they don't catch everything, they're an efficient starting point for identifying violations. Here are some recommended options:

  • WAVE: Developed by WebAIM, WAVE is a web-based tool that evaluates websites for WCAG compliance. It highlights issues like missing alt text, low contrast, and structural errors, providing visual feedback and actionable suggestions.
  • axe DevTools: Axe DevTools, created by Deque Systems, integrates with browser developer tools (e.g., Chrome DevTools) to detect accessibility violations. It offers detailed reports and remediation guidance, making it a favorite among developers.
  • ANDI: The Accessible Name and Description Inspector (ANDI), provided by the U.S. Social Security Administration, is a bookmarklet that analyzes web pages for accessibility issues. It focuses on elements like form labels, ARIA attributes, and keyboard accessibility, delivering clear diagnostics.
These resources—both manual and automated—equip teams to assess and improve accessibility, ensuring compliance with Costco's standards and enhancing the user experience for all.