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""" Accessibility Compliance Documentation
This document outlines how the MerchantsOfHope recruiting platform ensures accessibility compliance to meet Section 508 and WCAG 2.1 AA standards required for US Government contracts.
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API Accessibility Considerations:
a. Semantic Structure: API responses use clear, hierarchical data structures that can be properly interpreted by assistive technologies when rendered in UIs.
b. Alternative Text: All user-generated content fields (resumes, job descriptions, etc.) should include appropriate alternative text or structured descriptions.
c. Keyboard Navigation Support: API supports the retrieval and submission of all content in ways that enable keyboard navigation in frontend implementations.
d. Color and Sensory Characteristics: API does not rely on color or sensory characteristics alone to convey information, ensuring frontend implementations can meet these requirements.
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Data Structure Accessibility:
a. All API responses include proper field labels and descriptions. b. Error messages are clear and descriptive to help users understand how to correct issues. c. Form fields have proper validation requirements that align with accessibility standards.
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Content Management:
a. Job posting descriptions should follow plain language principles. b. Resume uploads support multiple accessible formats. c. All text content supports text scaling up to 400% without loss of functionality.
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Compliance Standards Implemented:
a. WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance b. Section 508 compliance for federal procurement c. ADA compliance for accessibility
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Testing Approaches:
a. API responses validated for semantic structure b. Proper error messaging and form validation c. Support for assistive technology integration
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Technical Implementation:
a. Proper HTTP status codes for all responses b. Descriptive API documentation c. Clear authentication and authorization patterns d. Consistent API response formats e. Proper pagination to avoid overwhelming users
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Future UI Considerations (for frontend development):
a. ARIA attributes support in API response structure b. Proper heading hierarchy in data responses c. Focus management indicators in state changes d. Skip navigation links support in page structures e. Color contrast compliance in design system f. Screen reader compatibility for all interactive elements g. Alternative input methods support
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Testing Tools and Methods:
The platform should be tested with common accessibility tools when implemented in a UI:
- WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluator
- Axe accessibility testing engine
- Screen readers (NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver)
- Keyboard-only navigation testing
This API framework ensures that frontend implementations will be able to achieve full accessibility compliance as required by US government standards. """