SMOWL Accessibility Policy

Standards and technical documentation

At Smowltech, we follow internationally recognized standards and documentation to ensure our products are accessible to all users.

Our main references include:

• Accessibility standards: we apply WCAG 2.1 and 2.2 (levels A and AA) as our primary guide for product design and development. We also take into account other country-specific regulations when applicable, such as EN 301 549 in Europe or Section 508 in the United States.
• Public accessibility reports: we provide clients and institutions with our VPAT® 2.5 International and Accessibility Conformance Reports (ACR) for each product.
• HECVAT: for clients in the education sector who request it, we provide HECVAT responses, a standardized questionnaire that evaluates accessibility and other aspects of the vendor in higher education environments.

 

This combination of standards and documentation ensures transparency, regulatory compliance, and makes it easier for clients and partners to assess accessibility.

 

 

How we work: our process

Accessibility is integrated into every stage of our development cycle. Our approach combines design best practices, continuous testing, and external audits to ensure digital products are inclusive and usable by everyone.

The process we follow includes:

1. Accessible design: from wireframes to prototypes, we validate semantic structure, keyboard navigation, alternative text for images, and color contrast. This ensures accessibility is built in from the very start.
2. Careful implementation: we develop accessible UI components, using ARIA roles only when they add value, native controls whenever possible, and clear semantic labeling.
3. Automated testing: we integrate linters and analysis tools (like axe) into CI/CD pipelines to catch accessibility issues early and continuously.
4. Manual testing: specialists perform thorough reviews, checking compatibility with screen readers (NVDA, VoiceOver) and ensuring full keyboard navigation.
5. User testing: we evaluate the experience with real users with disabilities to identify practical barriers and improve usability.
6. External audits: independent third parties conduct periodic evaluations to complement our internal tests and produce the Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR).
7. Issue logging and follow-up: any detected issues are documented, triaged, prioritized, fixed, and verified until closure, ensuring traceability and transparency.

 

This comprehensive approach ensures that accessibility is not just a technical requirement, but a genuine commitment to inclusion and high-quality products.

 

 

 

Compatibility and assistive technologies

SMOWL is designed to work seamlessly with the main assistive technologies used by our users, ensuring an accessible and smooth experience. These technologies include:

• Screen readers: such as NVDA, JAWS, and VoiceOver.
• Screen magnifiers and high-contrast modes: to enhance content visibility.
• Keyboard navigation and alternative devices: including switches and adapted keyboards.
• Voice dictation tools: to enable interaction without a keyboard or mouse.

 

Our technical documentation highlights any known limitations on specific browser versions or platforms, along with temporary recommendations to ensure the product works properly for all users.

 

Document Accessibility and Alternative Formats

At Smowltech, we make sure all information and documentation is accessible to every user. Upon request, we can provide reports and materials in alternative formats, including:

• Accessible PDF
• Plain text or accessible HTML
• Structured Word documents
• Audio, synthetic speech, or transcripts

 

If you need a document in an alternative format, simply let us know when you contact us. This ensures that all users can access and understand our content, regardless of their accessibility needs.

 

 

Reports and Compliance: VPAT / ACR

We publish and make available our VPAT® 2.5 International and Accessibility Conformance Reports (ACR) for each product. These documents detail the level of compliance with applicable accessibility standards, such as WCAG, Section 508, and EN 301 549, providing transparency and reassurance for our clients and institutions.

If you need the most recent VPAT or ACR for procurement or evaluation purposes, you can request it. This ensures you always have up-to-date information on the accessibility of our products.

 

 

How to request an updated report: VPAT / ACR / HECVAT

If you need an updated accessibility report for SMOWL, you can request it easily by following these steps:

1. Send an email to [email protected]
2. Include the following information in your message::
   • Your name and organization or educational institution.
   • The SMOWL product for which you are requesting the report.
   • Your preferred format for the report (accessible PDF, structured Word, HTML, etc.).
3. You will receive a confirmation that your request has been received, and we will provide the report or guide you on the steps to access it.

 

Suggested email subject: Request VPAT / ACR — [Organization Name] — [SMOWL Product]

This process ensures that all users can access the most up-to-date information about our products’ compliance with accessibility standards.

 

 

Have you found an accessibility issue?

We value any feedback that helps us improve the accessibility of our products. If you encounter a barrier or behavior that is not accessible, please follow these steps:

1. Send an email to [email protected]
2. Provide the following details:
   • Your name and organization, if applicable.
   • The product, URL, or screen where the issue occurs.
   • Step-by-step instructions to reproduce the problem.
   • Device, operating system, and browser (including version).
   • Assistive technology used, e.g., NVDA, VoiceOver, or mobile screen readers.
   • Screenshots or recordings, if available.
3. Our team will:
   
   • Log the incident and perform a triage.
   • Keep you informed about the status of the report and, when relevant, the next steps for resolving it.

 

Note: All reports are handled confidentially. Whenever possible, we will keep you updated on the correction plan and actions taken.

 

Timelines and priorities

We handle accessibility issues through a structured process, with estimated timelines and priorities that allow us to act efficiently and transparently:

• Acknowledgment: We usually confirm receipt of your report within 5 business days.
• Triage and Classification: We assess each issue based on its impact on accessibility and the number of users affected, assigning the appropriate priority.
• Resolution: The time required to fix an issue depends on its technical complexity. Low-impact corrections are typically scheduled for the next product iteration.

 

Note: These timelines are indicative and may vary depending on the severity and context of each issue. We are committed to communicating the next steps and estimated timelines once triage is complete.

 

Known limitations and mitigations

In a few cases, certain features may have limitations due to technical dependencies or third-party components, such as external plugins or integrations that do not provide full accessibility control.

When we identify a limitation, we take the following steps:

• Transparent Documentation: We record the limitation in the corresponding ACR/VPAT reports, giving users and clients clear, accessible information.
• Alternative Solutions: Whenever possible, we provide workarounds, such as alternate navigation paths, human support, or alternative accessible formats.
• Collaboration with Vendors: We work directly with third-party providers to reduce these limitations in future product versions.

This approach ensures transparency and continuous improvement, keeping accessibility a priority even when external restrictions exist.

 

 

Training and internal responsibility

Accessibility is a shared responsibility and a core part of our internal culture. To ensure compliance, we have dedicated structures, training programs, and processes in place:

• Accessibility Team and Dedicated Officer: an Accessibility Officer coordinates accessibility policies, oversees audits, and ensures best practices are implemented across the organization.
• Training Programs: accessibility is included in developer onboarding and reinforced through workshops on accessible design and UI component reviews, keeping teams informed and skilled.
• Accessibility in Procurement: we integrate accessibility criteria into vendor selection and procurement processes, ensuring that any tools or services we acquire meet our standards.

 

This comprehensive approach guarantees that accessibility is embedded in Smowltech’s culture – from design and development to procurement and collaboration with third parties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact the Accessibility Team

Our accessibility team is available to answer questions, provide reports, and handle issue reports. You can reach us at:

• Email: [email protected]
• Postal address: Portuetxe Kalea, 53 B, 20018 DONOSTIA / SAN SEBASTIÁN, GIPUZKOA, Spain

 

When emailing us, please indicate your preferred format for the response—such as accessible PDF, HTML, Word, transcript, or another format you need. This helps us provide the information in a way that’s accessible and tailored to your needs.

 

 

Glossary

WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines): international standards that define how to create digital content that’s accessible to everyone.

VPAT® (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template): a document that describes how well a product meets accessibility standards.

ACR (Accessibility Conformance Report): a detailed accessibility compliance report generated from a VPAT.

HECVAT (Higher Education Community Vendor Assessment Toolkit): a questionnaire used by universities to assess accessibility and other risks when procuring products or services.

ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications): a set of attributes that enhance the accessibility of interactive web components.

Assistive technology: tools and devices that help people with disabilities interact with digital products, such as screen readers, magnifiers, alternative keyboards, and more.

 

Accessibility Report

The accessibility report for SMOWL is available for review:

VPAT® 2.5 International – Block SMOWL 4.3.1

This document details the product’s compliance with international accessibility standards and can be requested in different accessible formats, such as PDF, Word, or HTML.

 

Policy updates

Smowltech reserves the right to update this Accessibility Policy periodically.

The most recent version will always be published on this site.

We will notify our clients if changes are relevant to product use or compliance.

 

 

Last update

Date of last update: November 27, 2025