Accessibility

Our Commitment to Accessibility

At Jeannine’s, we believe everyone deserves full and equal access to our website and services—just as they do in our physical locations. We are fully committed to creating an online experience that is inclusive, accessible, and welcoming for all.

If you encounter any difficulty using our website, have suggestions for improvement, or believe we are not meeting accessibility standards, please contact us at contact@jeannines.com or use our contact form. Your feedback is invaluable and helps us continuously improve.

Accessibility Improvements Timeline

In response to a recent accessibility concern, we have undertaken a comprehensive, multi-step initiative to align with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA and comply fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):

May 2, 2025

  • Launched this Accessibility page to better communicate with all users.

  • Began staff training to understand how people with visual impairments interact with websites.

  • Completed alt text enhancements:

    • Detailed, descriptive alt text added to all product images.

    • Ensured 100% of visual content is now screen reader–friendly.

May 3, 2025

  • Integrated accessiBe as an interim accessibility enhancement for:

    • Screen reader and keyboard navigation support.

    • Customizable interface and automated WCAG adjustments.

  • Contacted Shopify Support to ensure we're using best practices on their platform.

May 6, 2025

  • Shifted strategy toward a manual-first accessibility approach, reducing reliance on automated tools due to known legal and technical limitations.

  • Engaged a certified WCAG/ADA accessibility expert to conduct a full audit and oversee compliance work.

  • Initiated a comprehensive manual audit, including live testing with assistive technology users.

  • Identified a core structural barrier:

    • Legacy Shopify theme was found to be incompatible with many accessibility best practices.

    • Decided to fully redesign our website using a Shopify 2.0 theme built for accessibility.

    • Set an accelerated relaunch goal: within 45 days.

In Progress and Immediate Actions

  • Implemented critical fixes, including:

    • Proper heading structure.

    • Full keyboard navigation with visible focus indicators.

    • Enhanced ARIA labeling for interactive elements.

    • Optimized forms for assistive technologies.

  • Conducted advanced accessibility training for our developers and content creators.

  • Launched user testing with visually impaired partners and established:

    • A continuous feedback loop for ongoing improvement.

May 19–20, 2025

  • Consulted with multiple ADA and WCAG experts to validate our accessibility roadmap.

  • Conducted meetings with accessiBe and alternative providers to understand tool limitations and strengths.

  • Implemented critical improvements, including:

    • Alt text verification across the entire site.

    • Clear, descriptive link text.

    • ARIA attributes to support dynamic navigation.

    • Initial testing with screen readers and keyboard navigation tools.

Looking Ahead

We are dedicated to maintaining and continually improving digital accessibility. We recognize that compliance is not a checkbox—it’s a commitment to our community.

If you use assistive technology and experience any barriers, or if you simply believe we can do better, we want to hear from you. Please reach out via contact@jeannines.com or our contact form.

Together, we’re building a better, more inclusive Jeannine’s—for everyone.