Encircled Inc. — Accessibility Policy

Last updated: November 10, 2025

Encircled is committed to an inclusive online experience for all visitors, including people with disabilities. We are improving our website on an ongoing basis and aim to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2, Level AA across our web experiences. 

We primarily serve customers in Canada and the United States, and also the United Kingdom and Australia. While laws differ by region, WCAG is the common technical benchmark referenced by regulators and courts, and it is our target standard for the Site. 

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How we work toward accessibility

Standards & scope

• We aim to conform with WCAG 2.2 Level AA for pages we control on www.encircled.ca and www.encircled.co. This includes structure (headings, landmarks), keyboard operability, focus styles, color contrast, forms/labels, error prevention, alt text, and motion/animation preferences.
  
  

Measures we take

• Accessible-by-design development in Shopify (semantic HTML, ARIA where appropriate).
  
• Regular checks using automated tools and manual keyboard/assistive-tech spot tests.
  
• Content authoring guidelines for text, media, and images (alt text/captions).
  
• A feedback channel (below) for rapid remediation of barriers.
  
  

Testing approach
We periodically combine automated scans with manual testing (e.g., keyboard-only navigation and screen-reader compatibility checks) and review new templates before launch. (For transparency: conformance can vary over time as content changes; please report issues so we can fix them quickly.)

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Assistive technology & compatibility

Our site is designed to work with current versions of major browsers. We seek compatibility with commonly used assistive technologies and platform accessibility features (for example, browser zoom, system high-contrast modes, and prefers-reduced-motion). If you experience any conflict with your setup, let us know (contact below) so we can address it.

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CodeInspire accessibility app

We use the CodeInspire Accessibility app on Shopify to offer optional on-page tools such as: increasing text size, adjusting contrast, highlighting links, larger cursor, modifying letter/line spacing, pausing certain animations, and toggling images/sounds. These controls can help some visitors tailor the interface to their needs.

Important note: Accessibility overlays and widgets do not replace accessible code, design, and content. We use the app in addition to ongoing accessibility improvements under WCAG. (The app enhances compatibility with screen readers; it does not “provide” a screen reader.)

The app provides the following features:

Font size

• The app allows the user to adjust the font size of the website.

Screen Reader

• The app allows the user to use a screen reader to navigate the website.

Contrast

• The app allows the user to adjust the contrast of the website.

Highlight Links

• The app allows the user to highlight links on the website.

Cursor

• The app allows the user to use a bigger cursor to navigate the website.

Text align

• The app allows the user to adjust the text align of the website.

Saturation

• The app allows the user to adjust the saturation of the website.

Line Height

• The app allows the user to adjust the line height of text on the website.

Letter Spacing

• The app allows the user to adjust the letter spacing of text on the website.

Stop Animations

• The app allows the user to stop animations on the website. This includes videos playing or css animations

Mute sounds

• The app allows the user to mute/unmute sounds on the website.

Hide Images

• The app allows the user to hide images on the website.

For technical issues with the app, you may contact contact@codeinspire.io, and you can also email us directly (below) so we can track and fix site-level barriers.

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Third-party content

Some third-party content, widgets, or embeds may be outside our full control. We ask partners to provide accessible components and, where feasible, we supply accessible alternatives or links.

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Regional Notes

USA 

• United States (ADA): The Department of Justice (DOJ) has affirmed that ADA obligations apply to business websites; while Title III has no single technical rule, WCAG is widely used to evaluate accessibility. 

CANADA

• Canada: In Ontario, large private-sector organizations must make websites conform to WCAG 2.0 AA under the AODA’s Integrated Accessibility Standards; we follow WCAG 2.2 AA as our internal target. Manitoba introduced the Accessible Information & Communication Standard for private-sector organizations (in force May 1, 2025). Other provinces (e.g., Nova Scotia) have accessibility laws and evolving standards.

UNITED KINGDOM

United Kingdom: The Equality Act 2010 prohibits discrimination; public-sector websites have specific accessibility statement requirements, and WCAG is the common benchmark that private businesses also follow as good practice.

AUSTRALIA

Australia: The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 is supported by national guidance; Australia now formally adopts WCAG 2.2 Level AA as the minimum benchmark.

These summaries are provided for context only and are not legal advice. We monitor guidance and update our approach as laws and standards evolve.

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Feedback & help

If you encounter a barrier or need an alternative format, please contact us. We aim to acknowledge requests within 2 business days and to provide a path to resolution as quickly as possible.

• Email: contact@encircled.ca
  
• Mail: Encircled Inc., 205-105 Brockhouse Road, Toronto, ON M8W 2W8, Canada
  
  

When you write, it helps to include: the page URL, a description of the issue, your browser/assistive tech, and any steps to reproduce.

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Continuous improvement

We review this statement and our accessibility roadmap at least annually and after major site updates.

Last reviewed: November 10, 2025.