AqNova Marketplace Policies & Disclosures
Global Legal Footer Framework
Comprehensive Compliance & Platform Governance Reference
AqNova's Complete Digital Accessibility Commitment — WCAG 2.1 AA / ADA / EAA / EN 301 549 / Equality Act / Global Equivalents — Features, Known Limitations & Feedback Mechanism
Effective Date: April 7, 2026 | Version 1.0 | Last Reviewed: April 2026 | Next Review: April 2027 | Arivon Holding Corporation
| Accessibility Standards & Legal Frameworks Primary Technical Standard: WCAG 2.1 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Level AA) — W3C Recommendation 2018 WCAG 2.2 (W3C Recommendation 2023) — AqNova monitoring for adoption WCAG 3.0 — in development; AqNova horizon scanning United States: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. § 12101 — Title III Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. § 794d) DOJ Final Rule on Web Accessibility (April 2024) — WCAG 2.1 AA for Title II entities Unruh Civil Rights Act (Cal. Civ. Code § 51) — California California Disabled Persons Act (Civ. Code § 54) European Union: European Accessibility Act (EAA, Directive 2019/882/EU) — effective 28 June 2025 EN 301 549 v3.2.1 (2021) — European Standard for Accessibility of ICT EU Web Accessibility Directive (WAD, 2016/2102/EU) — public sector; AqNova benchmark EU Charter of Fundamental Rights — Art. 26 (integration of persons with disabilities) United Kingdom: Equality Act 2010 — s. 20 duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled persons Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (SI 2018/952) — public sector; best practice benchmark for AqNova British Standard BS 8878:2010 (Web Accessibility) Canada: Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) — O. Reg. 191/11 (IASR) — WCAG 2.0 Level AA required for large organizations Accessible Canada Act (ACA, S.C. 2019, c. 10) — federal requirement Canadian Human Rights Act — prohibition on disability discrimination Australia: Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) — Cth Australian Human Rights Commission: World Wide Web Advisory Notes Australian Standard AS EN 301 549:2020 Brazil: Lei Brasileira de Inclusão da Pessoa com Deficiência (LBI, Lei 13,146/2015) Decreto 5,296/2004 — accessibility standards eMAG — Modelo de Acessibilidade em Governo Eletrônico India: Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 (RPWD) Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW 3.0) Nigeria: Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 South Africa: Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 4 of 2000 Japan: Act for Eliminating Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (2016) JIS X 8341-3:2016 (Japanese Industrial Standard on Web Accessibility — aligned to WCAG 2.0) South Korea: Act on the Prohibition of Discrimination Against Disabled Persons Korean Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (KWCAG 2.1) Mexico / Colombia / Chile / Argentina: National laws on inclusion and accessibility of persons with disabilities WCAG 2.1 AA applied as AqNova's global baseline International: UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD, 2006) — Art. 9 (Accessibility) & Art. 21 (Freedom of expression and access to information) ISO/IEC 40500:2012 — ISO adoption of WCAG 2.0 |
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| AqNova Accessibility Statement — Summary AqNova Marketplace (operated by Arivon Holding Corporation) is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people with disabilities. CONFORMANCE STATUS: AqNova's Platform targets WCAG 2.1 Level AA conformance for all core user-facing web and mobile interfaces. Core shopping and checkout flows are designed to achieve WCAG 2.1 Level AA+ (all Level AA criteria plus selected Level AAA criteria in the highest-priority user journeys). TECHNICAL STANDARD: WCAG 2.1, Level AA SECONDARY STANDARD: EN 301 549 v3.2.1 (EU) PLATFORM SCOPE: aqnova.co (web); AqNova iOS app; AqNova Android app; AqNova Vendor Portal; AqNova legal documents portal FEEDBACK: If you experience any accessibility barrier on our Platform, please contact us at accessibility@aqnova.co. We will acknowledge your message within 5 Business Days. This Accessibility Statement was last reviewed: April 7, 2026. Next scheduled review: April 2027. |
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AqNova is a global marketplace for sustainable, organic, and ethically sourced products. We serve Buyers and Vendors across 25+ countries and are committed to making sustainable commerce accessible to everyone — including people with disabilities. This Accessibility Statement is required by applicable law in several of our operating jurisdictions (including the EU European Accessibility Act effective June 28, 2025, and applicable accessibility legislation in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia) and is provided voluntarily for all other markets as an expression of our commitment to inclusive design.
This document constitutes AqNova's Accessibility Statement as required under: EU Directive 2016/2102/EU (Annex) — web accessibility statement requirements (applied as best practice); EN 301 549 v3.2.1 — Annex C (accessibility statement); EAA (2019/882/EU) self-assessment and statement requirements; AODA IASR (Canada); UK Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations SI 2018/952 (applied as best practice benchmark for private sector). It is updated at minimum annually and promptly following material changes to Platform accessibility.
| Section 7.1 — Structure 7.1.1 AqNova's Accessibility Commitment & Philosophy 7.1.2 Applicable Standards — WCAG 2.1, EN 301 549 & Legal Requirements 7.1.3 Conformance Status — What We Have Achieved 7.1.4 Accessibility Features — Complete Implementation Guide 7.1.5 Known Limitations & Areas Under Development 7.1.6 Testing & Evaluation Methodology 7.1.7 Assistive Technologies Tested & Supported 7.1.8 Accessible Content — Legal & Policy Documents 7.1.9 Jurisdiction-Specific Accessibility Obligations 7.1.10 Accessibility Feedback, Complaints & Escalation 7.1.11 Alternative Access Mechanisms 7.1.12 Vendor & Third-Party Content Accessibility 7.1.13 Accessibility Roadmap & Improvement Commitments 7.1.14 Contact Information — Accessibility |
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Accessibility is not an afterthought or a compliance exercise at AqNova — it is a design principle embedded in how we build our Platform from the ground up. A sustainable marketplace that is accessible only to users without disabilities is not a genuinely inclusive platform, and inclusion is inseparable from our mission to make sustainable commerce global.
| AqNova's Accessibility Commitment — Four Core Principles PRINCIPLE 1 — UNIVERSAL DESIGN: AqNova builds its Platform following Universal Design principles — designing for the full spectrum of human diversity, including disability, from the outset. Accessibility is not retrofitted; it is built in. PRINCIPLE 2 — WCAG AS MINIMUM, NOT MAXIMUM: WCAG 2.1 Level AA is AqNova's minimum standard, not its ceiling. Core user journeys (search, product discovery, cart, checkout, account management, Vendor onboarding) are targeted at WCAG 2.1 Level AA+ — meeting all Level AA criteria and selected Level AAA criteria that materially improve usability for people with disabilities. PRINCIPLE 3 — REAL USER INCLUSION: AqNova supplements automated testing and expert review with usability testing involving users with disabilities. Feedback from real disabled users is the most reliable measure of accessibility success. PRINCIPLE 4 — HONEST, SPECIFIC DISCLOSURE: Where AqNova has not yet achieved full conformance with WCAG 2.1 Level AA, this Statement says so specifically. Known limitations are disclosed with planned remediation dates. We do not claim conformance we have not demonstrated. |
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The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) as a W3C Recommendation in June 2018, is the internationally recognized technical standard for web and mobile accessibility. WCAG 2.1 is organized around four principles — Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust (POUR) — each containing guidelines and success criteria at three levels of conformance:
Level A: minimum accessibility — the most basic requirements. Failing Level A criteria creates severe barriers that make it impossible or nearly impossible for some users with disabilities to access content.
Level AA: the generally recognized target for accessibility compliance under most legislation. This is AqNova's minimum conformance target. Level AA includes all Level A criteria plus additional criteria addressing more common barriers.
Level AAA: the highest level of accessibility. Not all Level AAA success criteria can be applied to all content, but AqNova targets selected Level AAA criteria for its core user journeys. Level AAA criteria applied by AqNova are listed in Section 7.1.4.
EN 301 549 v3.2.1 (October 2021) is the European Standard for Accessibility requirements for ICT products and services. It incorporates WCAG 2.1 Level AA by reference for web and mobile content (Clauses 9 and 10) and adds additional requirements for non-web ICT (Clause 11), documentation, and support (Clause 12). AqNova's Platform is designed to meet EN 301 549 v3.2.1 requirements, which is the technical standard referenced by the EU European Accessibility Act (Directive 2019/882/EU).
WCAG 2.2, published as a W3C Recommendation in October 2023, adds 9 new success criteria to WCAG 2.1 (9 at Level A/AA; removing one Level AA criterion from WCAG 2.1 that was removed in WCAG 2.2). Key new Level AA criteria in WCAG 2.2 include: Focus Not Obscured (2.4.11); Dragging Movements (2.5.7); Target Size Minimum (2.5.8); Consistent Help (3.2.6); Redundant Entry (3.3.7); Accessible Authentication (Minimum) (3.3.8). AqNova is assessing conformance with WCAG 2.2 new criteria and will update this Statement to reflect WCAG 2.2 conformance status when assessment is complete. AqNova expects to fully adopt WCAG 2.2 Level AA as its baseline standard during 2026.
AqNova's current WCAG 2.1 conformance status, as of the date of this Statement, is as follows. This represents our honest assessment — not a marketing claim. Known areas of non-conformance are disclosed in Section 7.1.5.
| Platform Area | WCAG 2.1 Conformance Status |
|---|---|
| Core Shopping & Discovery (homepage, category pages, search, product listings) | Substantially Conforms to WCAG 2.1 Level AA. Known minor exceptions disclosed in Section 7.1.5. Selected Level AAA criteria met for core product listing pages. |
| Product Detail Pages (listing information, images, reviews, seller info) | Substantially Conforms to WCAG 2.1 Level AA. Third-party video content embedded from Vendors may not fully conform — AqNova requires captioning (Section 7.1.12). |
| Shopping Cart & Checkout Flow | Designed to fully conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA+. Quarterly manual audit. Highest accessibility priority given consumer rights implications of inaccessible checkout. |
| Account Creation & Login | Conforms to WCAG 2.1 Level AA. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) implemented with accessible alternatives (email/SMS) in addition to app-based authentication. |
| My Account — Order Management, Returns, Buyer Protection | Substantially Conforms to WCAG 2.1 Level AA. Accessible form fields; accessible status notifications; accessible error messages. |
| Vendor Portal — Listing Management, Payouts, Compliance Dashboard | Substantially Conforms to WCAG 2.1 Level AA. Known limitations in data visualization components disclosed in Section 7.1.5. |
| Legal Documents & Policy Pages (this document and all sections of the Global Legal Footer Framework) | Conforms to WCAG 2.1 Level AA. Structured headings; accessible PDF versions available for all policy documents. See Section 7.1.8. |
| Mobile Applications (iOS and Android) | Substantially Conforms to WCAG 2.1 Level AA. Tested with VoiceOver (iOS) and TalkBack (Android). Known minor exceptions disclosed in Section 7.1.5. |
| Email Communications (Order confirmations, BPP notifications, policy updates) | Conforms to WCAG 2.1 Level AA. Plain text alternatives for all HTML emails; alt text for all images; accessible link text. |
| Help Centre & Documentation | Substantially Conforms to WCAG 2.1 Level AA. Full remediation of remaining issues targeted by Q3 2026. |
The following comprehensive list of accessibility features is implemented across AqNova's Platform. This list corresponds to WCAG 2.1 Level AA success criteria and selected Level AAA criteria:
Text alternatives for non-text content (WCAG 1.1.1 — Level A): all informational images include descriptive alt text that conveys the content and function of the image. Decorative images include null alt text (alt="") so screen readers skip them. Product images include descriptive alt text naming the product, key visual attributes, and relevant sustainability certifications visible in the image.
Captions for pre-recorded video (WCAG 1.2.2 — Level A): all pre-recorded video content produced by AqNova includes synchronized captions. Vendor-produced video content requires captions consistent with AqNova's Vendor content policy.
Audio descriptions for pre-recorded video (WCAG 1.2.5 — Level AA): pre-recorded video content that contains visual-only information (information not conveyed in the audio track) includes audio description tracks.
Info and relationships — structured content (WCAG 1.3.1 — Level A): all content structure — headings, lists, tables, forms, and emphasis — is communicated through semantic HTML markup, not visual styling alone. Tables include caption elements and appropriate header cell markup.
Meaningful sequence (WCAG 1.3.2 — Level A): reading and navigation order of content is logical and meaningful, consistent with visual presentation.
Sensory characteristics (WCAG 1.3.3 — Level A): instructions do not rely solely on sensory characteristics (shape, color, size, visual location). For example: 'Select the green Add to Cart button' is supplemented with non-sensory instruction.
Orientation (WCAG 1.3.4 — Level AA): content is not restricted to a single orientation (portrait or landscape) unless a specific orientation is essential.
Identify input purpose (WCAG 1.3.5 — Level AA): the purpose of each input field collecting personal information is identified through autocomplete attributes, enabling browser autofill and assistive technology personalization.
Use of color (WCAG 1.4.1 — Level A): color is not the only visual means of conveying information. Status indicators (order status, form errors, certification badges) use both color and text/icons.
Audio control (WCAG 1.4.2 — Level A): any audio that plays automatically for more than 3 seconds can be paused, stopped, or its volume controlled independently of the system volume.
Color contrast — normal text (WCAG 1.4.3 — Level AA): all normal text (below 18pt / 14pt bold) achieves a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 against its background. AqNova's brand color palette (#7D9A37 AqNova Green on #FFFFFF white = 4.55:1 — verified compliant).
Color contrast — large text (WCAG 1.4.3 — Level AA): large text (18pt+ or 14pt+ bold) achieves a minimum contrast ratio of 3:1 against its background.
Resize text (WCAG 1.4.4 — Level AA): all text can be resized up to 200% without loss of content or functionality, using browser text-size settings.
Images of text (WCAG 1.4.5 — Level AA): AqNova does not use images of text except for logos and certification marks, which include equivalent text alternatives.
Reflow (WCAG 1.4.10 — Level AA): all content can be presented at 400% zoom (equivalent to 320 CSS pixels viewport width) without horizontal scrolling and without loss of content or functionality.
Non-text contrast (WCAG 1.4.11 — Level AA): user interface components and graphical objects achieve a minimum contrast ratio of 3:1 against adjacent colors. Form borders, icons, and interactive component outlines are tested for 3:1 minimum contrast.
Text spacing (WCAG 1.4.12 — Level AA): no loss of content or functionality occurs when the following text spacing properties are overridden to: line height 1.5× the font size; letter spacing 0.12× the font size; word spacing 0.16× the font size; space following paragraphs 2× the font size.
Content on hover or focus (WCAG 1.4.13 — Level AA): additional content triggered by hover or keyboard focus is dismissible, hoverable, and persistent.
Keyboard accessible (WCAG 2.1.1 — Level A): all functionality of the Platform is accessible using a keyboard alone, without requiring a mouse or pointing device. This includes: navigation, product search, filters, form submission, cart management, checkout, and account management.
No keyboard trap (WCAG 2.1.2 — Level A): keyboard focus is never trapped in a component. Modal dialogs return focus to the triggering element when dismissed. Users can navigate away from all components using standard keyboard commands.
Character key shortcuts (WCAG 2.1.4 — Level A): any keyboard shortcut using a single character key can be turned off, remapped, or only activated when a specific component is in focus.
Timing adjustable (WCAG 2.2.1 — Level A): where time limits exist on Platform sessions, users are warned before the time limit expires and given the opportunity to extend the session. The minimum extension offered is 10 times the original time limit.
Pause, stop, hide (WCAG 2.2.2 — Level A): moving, blinking, or scrolling content (including carousels, promotional banners, and animated graphics) can be paused, stopped, or hidden. Auto-updating content can be paused.
Three flashes or below threshold (WCAG 2.3.1 — Level A): no content flashes more than three times per second. All animated elements are tested against WCAG general and red flash thresholds.
Bypass blocks (WCAG 2.4.1 — Level A): a 'Skip to Main Content' link is provided at the top of each page, allowing keyboard and screen reader users to bypass navigation and go directly to the page's main content.
Page titled (WCAG 2.4.2 — Level A): all Platform pages have unique, descriptive titles that identify the page content and site name.
Focus order (WCAG 2.4.3 — Level A): keyboard focus traverses the page in a logical, meaningful order consistent with the visual layout and content hierarchy.
Link purpose — in context (WCAG 2.4.4 — Level A): the purpose of each link is determinable from the link text or from the surrounding context. Generic link text such as 'click here' or 'read more' is supplemented with accessible names. Screen reader users can identify link purposes from the link list.
Multiple ways (WCAG 2.4.5 — Level AA): more than one way to locate each Platform page is available — including site navigation, search, breadcrumbs, and sitemap.
Headings and labels (WCAG 2.4.6 — Level AA): headings and labels describe their topic or purpose. All form fields have descriptive labels. AqNova uses a consistent heading hierarchy (h1 through h4) on all pages.
Focus visible (WCAG 2.4.7 — Level AA): keyboard focus indicator is always visible. AqNova's Platform uses a visible, high-contrast focus ring (3px solid, #1A3A5C or equivalent) on all interactive elements.
Focus not obscured (WCAG 2.4.11 — Level AA, WCAG 2.2): when a user interface component receives focus, it is not entirely hidden by a sticky header, cookie banner, or other component.
Pointer gestures (WCAG 2.5.1 — Level A): all functionality that uses multipoint or path-based gestures (swipe, pinch) can also be operated with a single pointer (tap/click).
Pointer cancellation (WCAG 2.5.2 — Level A): all functionality can be cancelled before completion; the up-event is used for activation rather than the down-event.
Label in name (WCAG 2.5.3 — Level A): for controls with visible labels, the accessible name contains the visible label text.
Motion actuation (WCAG 2.5.4 — Level A): all functionality triggered by device motion can also be operated through user interface components. Motion triggers can be disabled.
Language of page (WCAG 3.1.1 — Level A): the default human language of each page is programmatically identified in the html lang attribute.
Language of parts (WCAG 3.1.2 — Level AA): when content uses a language different from the page's default language, the lang attribute is applied to the relevant section, allowing screen readers to switch pronunciation.
On focus (WCAG 3.2.1 — Level A): receiving keyboard focus on a component does not automatically trigger a context change (navigation, form submission, dialog opening). Focus causes display of focus indicator only.
On input (WCAG 3.2.2 — Level A): changing the setting of a user interface component does not automatically trigger a context change unless the user has been informed of this behavior.
Consistent navigation (WCAG 3.2.3 — Level AA): navigation mechanisms repeated across multiple pages are presented in a consistent order.
Consistent identification (WCAG 3.2.4 — Level AA): components with the same functionality are identified consistently across the Platform.
Error identification (WCAG 3.3.1 — Level A): input errors are detected automatically and the item in error is described to the user in text — not only by color or placement.
Labels or instructions (WCAG 3.3.2 — Level A): labels and instructions are provided for all user input. Required fields are marked. Format requirements are specified before the user attempts entry. Examples: 'Enter date in DD/MM/YYYY format.'
Error suggestion (WCAG 3.3.3 — Level AA): when an input error is detected and suggestions for correction are known, suggestions are provided to the user — unless doing so would jeopardize security.
Error prevention — legal and financial (WCAG 3.3.4 — Level AA): for all order submissions and financial transactions, users can review and confirm their submission before final commitment; all submissions can be confirmed, corrected, and reversed within the cancellation window.
Redundant entry (WCAG 3.3.7 — Level A, WCAG 2.2): information previously entered by the user in the same session is either auto-populated or the user is given the option to re-enter without re-keying.
Accessible authentication (WCAG 3.3.8 — Level AA, WCAG 2.2): authentication processes do not require cognitive function tests (e.g., character recognition, memorization) that are not supplemented by an accessible alternative. Password-based authentication is supplemented by email/SMS verification.
Parsing (WCAG 4.1.1 — Level A): HTML and CSS are valid and well-formed to avoid rendering differences across browsers and assistive technologies. AqNova runs automated HTML validation as part of its continuous integration pipeline.
Name, role, value (WCAG 4.1.2 — Level A): all user interface components have name, role, and where applicable, value accessible to assistive technologies via ARIA attributes or native HTML semantics. Custom components (dropdown menus, accordion panels, tab systems, modal dialogs, carousels) are built using established ARIA Design Patterns.
Status messages (WCAG 4.1.3 — Level AA): all status messages (success notifications, error alerts, progress updates, cart quantity changes) are programmatically implemented using ARIA live regions (aria-live, role=status, role=alert) so screen readers announce them without requiring focus movement.
AqNova applies the following selected WCAG 2.1 Level AAA success criteria to its core shopping, checkout, and account management flows:
Extended audio description for video (1.2.7 — Level AAA): when foreground audio pauses are insufficient for audio description, extended audio description is provided.
Contrast (Enhanced) (1.4.6 — Level AAA): AqNova targets a minimum 7:1 contrast ratio for body text throughout the checkout flow.
Focus visible (Enhanced) (2.4.12 — Level AAA, WCAG 2.2): the keyboard focus indicator meets the enhanced WCAG 2.2 AAA minimum size and contrast requirements in the checkout flow.
No timing (2.2.3 — Level AAA): session timeouts do not apply to the checkout flow — users may complete a purchase without timing pressure.
Section headings (2.4.10 — Level AAA): section headings are used throughout long-form content pages (Policy documents, Help Centre articles) to organize the content.
Error prevention — all (3.3.6 — Level AAA): for all form submissions on the Platform, users can review, correct, and confirm their submission before final commitment.
AqNova is committed to transparency about accessibility limitations. The following known issues have been identified through our testing program. Each limitation is listed with its WCAG success criterion, the nature of the issue, and our planned remediation timeline.
| Known Limitation | WCAG Criterion, Impact & Remediation Timeline |
|---|---|
| Data visualization charts in Vendor Analytics Dashboard | WCAG 1.1.1 (Level A) — complex chart elements do not currently provide programmatically accessible data equivalents for screen reader users. Impact: Vendor Dashboard analytics are partially inaccessible to screen reader users. Remediation: accessible chart alternatives (data tables + summary text) in development. Target: Q3 2026. |
| Some third-party Vendor video content — missing captions | WCAG 1.2.2 (Level A) — Vendor-uploaded videos may not include captions if the Vendor has not provided them. Impact: Deaf and hard-of-hearing users cannot access audio information in some Vendor product videos. Remediation: AqNova's Vendor content policy requires captions from April 2026 for new video uploads; automated caption generation is being implemented for pre-existing videos. Target: Q4 2026. |
| PDF documents generated from Vendor product listings | WCAG 1.1.1 / 4.1.2 (Level A/A) — auto-generated PDF product sheets may not be fully tagged with accessible reading order. Impact: screen reader users may encounter difficulty navigating auto-generated PDFs. Remediation: AqNova's own policy and legal PDFs are fully accessible (Section 7.1.8); Vendor-generated PDFs under assessment. Target: 2026. |
| Complex data tables in some Help Centre articles | WCAG 1.3.1 (Level A) — some complex tables in Help Centre documentation do not include column and row header scope attributes, reducing screen reader table navigation. Impact: screen reader users may have difficulty navigating complex information tables. Remediation: Help Centre content audit and remediation in progress. Target: Q3 2026. |
| Session timeout warning in some B2B Vendor workflows | WCAG 2.2.1 (Level A) — some enterprise Vendor workflows have session timeouts without accessible warning prompts. Impact: some enterprise users may lose unsaved work without adequate warning. Remediation: accessible session warning implementation in enterprise workflow sprint. Target: Q2 2026. |
| WCAG 2.2 new success criteria (2.4.11, 2.5.7, 2.5.8, 3.2.6, 3.3.7, 3.3.8) — assessment in progress | WCAG 2.2 (published October 2023) adds 9 new success criteria not included in WCAG 2.1. Full WCAG 2.2 conformance assessment is in progress. Initial assessment suggests the new criteria related to Focus Not Obscured (2.4.11), Target Size Minimum (2.5.8), and Redundant Entry (3.3.7) will be addressed as part of the 2026 accessibility sprint. Target: full WCAG 2.2 assessment and remediation plan published by Q4 2026. |
| Mobile app — some interactive map components | WCAG 2.1.1 (Level A) — interactive vendor location map components in the mobile app may not be fully operable via keyboard/switch access equivalents. Impact: users relying on switch access or keyboard-equivalent navigation on mobile may encounter barriers in map components. Remediation: map component accessibility review in Q2 2026 mobile accessibility sprint. Target: Q3 2026. |
Where a known limitation creates a significant barrier to completing a core task (browsing, purchasing, or account management), AqNova provides an alternative access mechanism — see Section 7.1.11.
AqNova's accessibility conformance assessment uses the following methodology, consistent with the W3C's Website Accessibility Conformance Evaluation Methodology (WCAG-EM) 1.0:
Tools: axe-core (integrated into AqNova's continuous integration pipeline); Lighthouse (Google); WAVE (WebAIM); SortSite. Automated testing runs on every code deployment for key Platform pages.
Scope: homepage; category pages; product listing pages; checkout flow; account management pages; Vendor portal key screens; all newly deployed page templates.
Limitations of automated testing: automated tools detect approximately 30–40% of WCAG success criteria. Automated testing alone does not constitute WCAG conformance assessment. All automated testing findings are supplemented by manual expert review.
Annual comprehensive accessibility audit: conducted by IAAP (International Association of Accessibility Professionals)-certified accessibility specialist, covering all key user journeys and page templates.
Quarterly keyboard-only walkthrough: quarterly expert keyboard-only navigation test of the end-to-end shopping and checkout flow, Vendor onboarding, and account management.
Quarterly screen reader review: quarterly screen reader testing with NVDA + Firefox and VoiceOver + Safari of the end-to-end shopping and checkout flow.
Pre-release accessibility review: all new features and significant UI changes undergo accessibility review before release, covering: ARIA markup; keyboard operability; color contrast; focus management; screen reader compatibility.
Semi-annual usability testing: AqNova conducts semi-annual usability testing sessions including participants with the following disabilities: visual impairment (blind users using screen readers; low vision users using screen magnification); motor impairment (users relying on keyboard-only navigation; users of switch access); cognitive disabilities (dyslexia; ADHD; learning disabilities).
Findings from user testing are categorized by severity and WCAG criterion and incorporated into the accessibility development roadmap.
Formal conformance evaluations follow WCAG-EM methodology: (1) Define the evaluation scope; (2) Explore the website under evaluation; (3) Select a representative sample; (4) Evaluate the sample; (5) Report the evaluation findings. Evaluation reports are maintained by AqNova's accessibility team and inform this Statement's conformance status (Section 7.1.3) and Known Limitations (Section 7.1.5).
AqNova's Platform is tested for compatibility with the following assistive technologies, selected to cover the most commonly used combinations across the global user population:
| Assistive Technology / Platform | Version Tested | Primary Test Browser / OS |
|---|---|---|
| JAWS (screen reader, Windows) | Latest major release | Chrome, Firefox on Windows 10/11 |
| NVDA (screen reader, Windows — free) | Latest major release | Chrome, Firefox on Windows 10/11 |
| VoiceOver (screen reader, macOS) | Built-in latest macOS version | Safari on macOS (primary) |
| VoiceOver (screen reader, iOS) | Built-in latest iOS version | Safari on iPhone/iPad |
| TalkBack (screen reader, Android) | Built-in latest Android version | Chrome on Android |
| Dragon NaturallySpeaking / Dragon (speech recognition) | Latest major release | Chrome on Windows |
| ZoomText / Fusion (screen magnification + speech) | Latest major release | Chrome on Windows |
| Keyboard-only navigation (no pointer device) | N/A | Chrome, Firefox, Safari — all platforms |
| Switch access (single switch / scanning) | N/A | iOS and Android — mobile platforms |
| High contrast mode (Windows, WCAG contrast) | N/A | Edge + Windows High Contrast Mode |
| Browser text zoom (200% zoom) | N/A | Chrome, Firefox, Safari — all platforms |
AqNova does not restrict use of its Platform to the assistive technologies listed above. The list represents actively tested technologies. Users with other assistive technologies who encounter barriers are encouraged to report them through the accessibility feedback channel (Section 7.1.10).
AqNova's legal framework documents — including all sections of the Global Legal Footer Framework (Sections 3.1 through 7.1) — are provided in accessible formats:
HTML web format: all policy documents are published as HTML pages on AqNova's website, conforming to WCAG 2.1 Level AA. HTML pages include appropriate heading structure (H1–H4), descriptive link text, language attributes, and accessible tables.
Accessible PDF: downloadable PDF versions of all key legal documents (Terms of Service; Privacy Policy; Return Policy; Buyer Protection Policy; Vendor Agreement; this Accessibility Statement) are available in tagged PDF format (PDF/UA — ISO 14289) with: reading order tags; heading and paragraph tags; alt text for non-decorative images; accessible form fields; document title and language metadata.
DOCX (Word) format: the comprehensive compliance framework documents (including this document) are produced as WCAG-informed DOCX files with: structured heading styles (Heading 1–2 applied using Word styles, not manual formatting); table headers marked with 'Repeat as header row' property; alt text for all images; list items using Word's list styles (not manual indentation).
Large print: on request (accessibility@aqnova.co), AqNova provides large print (minimum 18pt, clear font, high contrast) versions of its key policy documents.
Plain English versions: AqNova provides a Plain English Summary of its key consumer-facing policies, designed for users with cognitive disabilities, limited reading proficiency, or those using Easy Read format. Available at [aqnova.co/policies/plain-english].
AqNova's accessibility obligations vary by jurisdiction. The following summarizes the key jurisdiction-specific requirements and AqNova's compliance approach:
ADA Title III (42 U.S.C. § 12181 et seq.) requires places of public accommodation to remove barriers to access for people with disabilities. Federal courts and the DOJ have consistently held that commercial websites and mobile applications are places of public accommodation subject to ADA Title III. The DOJ published a final rule in April 2024 requiring WCAG 2.1 Level AA for state and local government websites under ADA Title II; while this rule applies to government entities, it confirms WCAG 2.1 AA as the DOJ's accessibility standard. AqNova proactively conforms to WCAG 2.1 AA to meet its ADA Title III obligations.
California: California Unruh Civil Rights Act (Civil Code § 51) and California Disabled Persons Act (Civil Code § 54) provide additional state-level accessibility obligations. California courts have found website accessibility violations actionable under Unruh. AqNova's WCAG 2.1 AA conformance is designed to satisfy Unruh obligations.
The European Accessibility Act (EAA), adopted June 17, 2019, must be transposed into national law by all EU Member States and applies from June 28, 2025. The EAA covers a range of products and services, including e-commerce services. E-commerce services providing consumers with means to purchase products online are covered by the EAA. AqNova's EU market operations are assessed against EAA requirements, which reference EN 301 549 v3.2.1 as the harmonized technical standard.
Micro-enterprises: the EAA provides an exemption for microenterprises (fewer than 10 employees and annual turnover below EUR 2 million) providing services. AqNova does not rely on this exemption and applies EAA standards regardless.
Self-assessment: the EAA permits providers to self-assess conformance against the harmonized standard (EN 301 549). This Accessibility Statement constitutes AqNova's EAA self-assessment documentation.
Member State implementation: AqNova monitors national transposition laws across EU Member States and any Member State-specific accessibility requirements beyond the EAA minimum.
PSED benchmark: UK Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018 (SI 2018/952) apply to public authorities — not to AqNova as a private company. However, the regulations apply WCAG 2.1 AA and the required Accessibility Statement format, which AqNova adopts voluntarily as best practice.
AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005): IASR (Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation, O. Reg. 191/11) requires organizations with 50+ employees in Ontario to make their websites and web content conform to WCAG 2.0 Level AA (with certain exceptions for live captions and audio descriptions). AqNova applies WCAG 2.1 Level AA (which exceeds WCAG 2.0 Level AA) for Canadian users. The Accessible Canada Act (ACA, 2019) establishes federal accessibility standards and is progressive in scope.
The DDA (1992) prohibits discrimination in the provision of goods and services on the ground of disability. The Australian Human Rights Commission's World Wide Web Advisory Notes indicate that a failure to make a website accessible may constitute unlawful discrimination under the DDA. AqNova aligns to WCAG 2.1 Level AA for Australian users to meet DDA obligations.
Japan's JIS X 8341-3:2016 is the Japanese Industrial Standard for web accessibility, aligned with WCAG 2.0. Government and large-scale public-facing services are expected to meet JIS X 8341-3:2016 Level AA, which is substantially equivalent to WCAG 2.0 Level AA. AqNova applies WCAG 2.1 Level AA which exceeds this standard.
Korean Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (KWCAG 2.1) are the Korean national standard for web accessibility, aligned with WCAG 2.0/2.1. AqNova applies WCAG 2.1 Level AA which is consistent with KWCAG 2.1 requirements.
Nigeria's Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018; South Africa's Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 4 of 2000; and Brazil's Lei Brasileira de Inclusão (LBI, 13,146/2015) — all establish disability rights frameworks applicable to digital services. AqNova applies WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the global baseline for all markets, ensuring consistent protection for users with disabilities globally regardless of the specific national legal standard.
AqNova actively welcomes feedback on accessibility barriers. We treat accessibility feedback as high-priority input that directly improves the Platform for users with disabilities. Our feedback process is designed to be accessible — you can provide feedback by any of the following methods:
| Accessibility Feedback — How to Contact AqNova EMAIL (Preferred for detailed reports): accessibility@aqnova.co Subject line: Accessibility Barrier — [Page/Feature] — [AT Used if applicable] Include: the URL of the page where the barrier occurs; description of the barrier; assistive technology used (if any); browser/OS; steps to reproduce. Response: within 5 Business Days. ON-PLATFORM REPORT BUTTON: On any Platform page: Footer ▶ Accessibility ▶ Report a Barrier. For logged-in users: Account Menu ▶ Help ▶ Accessibility Feedback. TELEPHONE (for users who cannot use email or the on-platform form): Support telephone number available on the AqNova Contact page. Request: 'Accessibility assistance' — a dedicated accessibility support specialist will be arranged. POSTAL / WRITTEN: Arivon Holding Corporation Accessibility Team 2571 Saturn Avenue, Unit #265 Huntington Park, CA 90255, USA Marked: ACCESSIBILITY FEEDBACK LARGE PRINT / ALTERNATIVE FORMAT REQUESTS: accessibility@aqnova.co [Subject: Alternative Format Request] Specify: document name; format required (large print; plain text; audio). Response: within 10 Business Days. |
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Initial acknowledgment: within 5 Business Days of receipt of accessibility feedback.
Assessment response: within 20 Business Days — confirmation of whether the reported issue constitutes a WCAG non-conformance; if so, the WCAG criterion affected; and the anticipated remediation timeline.
Remediation notification: AqNova notifies the reporter when a confirmed accessibility issue is remediated, where contact details were provided.
Complex issues: where an accessibility barrier requires significant development work, AqNova provides an interim workaround (see Section 7.1.11) while the permanent fix is developed.
If you are not satisfied with AqNova's response to your accessibility feedback, you may escalate to the following external bodies:
United States: US Department of Justice (DOJ) ADA.gov — file an ADA complaint at ada.gov/filing-a-complaint/. US Access Board (access-board.gov) for Section 508-related complaints.
European Union: national disability equality body or national ombudsman in your Member State. European Commission: ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1484 (EAA implementation enquiries).
United Kingdom: Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) — equalityhumanrights.com. Equality Advisory Support Service (EASS) — 0808 800 0082.
Canada: Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC) — chrc-ccdp.gc.ca. Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) — ohrc.on.ca.
Australia: Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) — humanrights.gov.au. Disability Discrimination Commissioner: 1300 369 711.
Brazil: Secretaria Nacional dos Direitos da Pessoa com Deficiência — gov.br/governodigital/pt-br/acessibilidade-e-usuario/acessibilidade-digital.
Where an accessibility limitation prevents a user with a disability from completing a core task on the Platform, AqNova provides the following alternative access mechanisms to ensure equal access to Platform services:
| Core Task | Alternative Access Mechanism |
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| Browsing and purchasing products | Phone assistance: users may call AqNova's support line to receive assistance navigating the Platform, identifying products, and completing purchases. A support specialist will complete the transaction on behalf of the user and confirm all order details in writing. |
| Accessing legal documents and policies | All key legal documents are available in accessible PDF (tagged), large print, and plain text formats. Email accessibility@aqnova.co for alternative format documents. |
| Submitting a BPP claim (Buyer Protection) | BPP claims can be submitted by email to buyers@aqnova.co with the same information required for on-platform claims. Telephone assistance is also available. |
| Vendor onboarding and listing management | Vendors with disabilities who cannot use the standard onboarding portal may contact vendors@aqnova.co [Subject: Accessible Onboarding] for a dedicated account specialist to guide them through onboarding by telephone or video call with screen sharing. |
| Accessing analytics and reporting (Vendors) | Where the standard Vendor Dashboard analytics are not accessible to a Vendor with a disability, AqNova will provide data in an accessible format (CSV export; screen-reader-compatible data table) on request to vendors@aqnova.co. |
AqNova hosts third-party Vendor content — including product images, descriptions, videos, and PDFs — that AqNova does not directly author or control. AqNova's approach to third-party content accessibility:
Vendor content policy — accessibility requirements: AqNova's Vendor Agreement (effective April 7, 2026) includes baseline accessibility requirements for Vendor-uploaded content: all product images must have descriptive alt text provided by the Vendor (or AqNova applies automated alt text generation with Vendor override); all Vendor-uploaded videos must include captions (new uploads from April 2026; retroactive captioning for existing videos by Q4 2026); Vendor-uploaded PDF product sheets should be tagged PDFs where possible.
AqNova-generated elements: all platform elements generated by AqNova around Vendor content (product page templates, navigation, cart, checkout, filters, sorting) are fully within AqNova's control and are designed to WCAG 2.1 Level AA.
Third-party scripts and embedded content: AqNova minimizes the use of third-party scripts that introduce inaccessible content. Where third-party analytics, chat, or social sharing widgets are embedded in the Platform, AqNova evaluates their accessibility and uses accessible alternatives where available.
Known limitation: as noted in Section 7.1.5, some pre-existing Vendor-uploaded videos do not currently have captions. AqNova is implementing automated caption generation for these videos. This is a known area of partial non-conformance.
AqNova's accessibility improvement roadmap reflects our commitment to continuous improvement toward full WCAG 2.1 Level AA conformance and progressive WCAG 2.2 adoption:
| AqNova Accessibility Roadmap — 2026 and Beyond Q2 2026: — Remediate session timeout accessibility for enterprise Vendor workflows (WCAG 2.2.1 — Level A) — Complete mobile app switch access / keyboard-equivalent for map components (WCAG 2.1.1 — Level A) — Launch automated caption generation for pre-existing Vendor videos (WCAG 1.2.2 — Level A) Q3 2026: — Complete Vendor Analytics Dashboard accessible data visualization (WCAG 1.1.1 — Level A) — accessible chart alternatives — Complete Help Centre content accessibility audit and remediation (WCAG 1.3.1 — Level A) — Publish WCAG 2.2 conformance assessment report — Complete semi-annual disabled user testing cycle and publish findings summary Q4 2026: — Full WCAG 2.2 Level AA remediation plan implemented — Accessible PDF implementation for all auto-generated Vendor product sheets — EAA compliance self-assessment updated post-June 28, 2025 applicability 2027 AND BEYOND: — Begin WCAG 3.0 horizon assessment and engagement with W3C process — Implement Level AAA criteria: Sign Language (1.2.6) for key video content — Expand disabled user testing program to additional disability categories — Publish annual Accessibility Progress Report alongside Sustainability Statement — Evaluate AI-assisted accessibility features: automated alt text quality improvement; real-time caption accuracy improvement |
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| AqNova — Accessibility Contacts ACCESSIBILITY FEEDBACK & BARRIER REPORTS: Email: accessibility@aqnova.co Subject: Accessibility Barrier — [Page/Feature] Telephone: Available via AqNova Contact page (request 'accessibility assistance') On-Platform: Footer ▶ Accessibility ▶ Report a Barrier Response: Within 5 Business Days ALTERNATIVE FORMAT REQUESTS (large print, accessible PDF, plain text): accessibility@aqnova.co [Subject: Alternative Format Request] Response: Within 10 Business Days ACCESSIBLE VENDOR ONBOARDING: vendors@aqnova.co [Subject: Accessible Onboarding] ACCESSIBLE BUYER PROTECTION / BPP CLAIM: buyers@aqnova.co [Subject: BPP — Accessibility Assistance] POSTAL ADDRESS: Arivon Holding Corporation — Accessibility Team 2571 Saturn Avenue, Unit #265 Huntington Park, CA 90255, USA Marked: ACCESSIBILITY FEEDBACK ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT URL: [aqnova.co/accessibility] PLAIN ENGLISH POLICY SUMMARIES: [aqnova.co/policies/plain-english] LAST REVIEWED: April 7, 2026 NEXT SCHEDULED REVIEW: April 2027 EXTERNAL ESCALATION CONTACTS: US — ADA complaints: ada.gov/filing-a-complaint UK — EHRC: equalityhumanrights.com UK — EASS: 0808 800 0082 EU — European Commission: ec.europa.eu/social Canada — CHRC: chrc-ccdp.gc.ca Australia — AHRC: humanrights.gov.au | 1300 369 711 LEGAL NOTICES: legal@aqnova.com Registered Office: Arivon Holding Corporation C/O Arivon Holding Corporation, 2571 Saturn Avenue, Unit #265 Huntington Park, CA 90255, USA California File Number: B20250418195 | EIN: 41-3210066 | D-U-N-S: 142957477 GB EORI: GB511467217000 Nigeria (Sahara Eagle Ltd) — Reg: 1957145 | Tax ID: 31052811-0001 | NEPC: 0030281 |
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AqNova Marketplace | Global Legal Footer Framework | Section 7.1: Accessibility Statement
© 2026 Arivon Holding Corporation. All rights reserved. This Accessibility Statement was last reviewed: April 7, 2026. Next review: April 2027.