Volshop Website Accessibility Statement and Roadmap
VolShop Website Accessibility Statement
The University of Tennessee VolShop is committed to ensuring that our website is accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities. We believe all students, faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors should be able to easily access information and complete purchases through our website regardless of the technology they use. Our goal is to meet or exceed the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA, which are widely recognized as the standard for digital accessibility. These guidelines help make web content more accessible for people who use assistive technologies such as screen readers, voice recognition software, keyboard navigation, and alternative input devices. We are continuously working to improve the accessibility and usability of our website and digital services. Accessibility is an ongoing effort, and we regularly review our site to identify and fix accessibility barriers.
Accessibility Features
The VolShop website is focusing on several features designed to support accessible use, including:
- Support for screen readers and assistive technologies
- Keyboard navigation for users who cannot use a mouse
- Alternative text for images where appropriate
- Clear heading structures and page organization
- Sufficient color contrast for improved readability
- Accessible forms and checkout processes
- Responsive design for use across devices and screen sizes
Third-Party Platforms
Some portions of our website rely on third-party platforms and vendors, including our digital course materials providers. While we encourage all vendors to meet accessibility standards, some accessibility features may depend on updates from those third-party providers. We actively work with our vendors to ensure their platforms are moving toward WCAG compliance and current accessibility standards.
Feedback and Assistance
If you encounter any accessibility barriers while using the Volshop website, or if you need assistance accessing information, we want to hear from you. Please contact us and we will work with you to provide the information or service you need in an accessible format.
Email: volshop@utk.edu
When contacting us, please include:
- The webpage you were trying to access
- A description of the issue
- The assistive technology you were using (if applicable)
Your feedback helps us improve the experience for all users.
Volshop Accessibility Improvement Roadmap
Accessibility improvements are being implemented through a phased plan to ensure continuous progress and measurable improvements.
Phase 1 – Initial Accessibility Audit - Complete
Goal: Identify current accessibility barriers.
Actions:
- Conduct automated accessibility scans of the entire website
- Perform manual testing with screen readers and keyboard navigation
- Review accessibility of critical pages including:
- Homepage
- Textbook/course materials pages
- Product pages
- Checkout
- Store information pages
- Review vendor VPATs (Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates)
Phase 2 – Platform and Vendor Accessibility - Complete
Goal: Ensure third-party tools meet accessibility standards.
Actions:
- Request updated VPAT documentation from vendors
- Work with ecommerce platform developers to resolve accessibility issues
- Ensure ebook and courseware vendors meet accessibility requirements
- Evaluate additional accessibility monitoring tools
Phase 3 – Critical Issue Remediation - In Progress
Goal: Fix the most impactful accessibility issues.
Actions:
- Correct missing image alt text
- Improve heading structure and page landmarks
- Fix keyboard navigation barriers
- Improve form labeling and error messaging
- Address color contrast issues
- Improve link descriptions and button labels
Phase 4 – Monitoring and Improvement - On Going
Goal: Maintain long-term accessibility compliance.
Actions:
- Implement continuous accessibility monitoring tools
- Conduct annual accessibility audits
- Include accessibility requirements in vendor contracts
- Provide accessibility awareness training for web editors and staff
Our Commitment
The Volshop recognizes that accessibility is not a one-time project but an ongoing commitment. We will continue improving our website so that every member of the University of Tennessee community can access the resources they need.