Accessibility Statement

Our Commitment. Sidekick Vet is committed to ensuring that our platform is accessible to all users, including people with disabilities. We strive to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA and continuously work to improve the user experience for everyone.

1. Scope

This accessibility statement applies to the Sidekick Vet website at www.sidekick.vet and the Sidekick Vet consultation platform, both operated by PupPilot Corp.

2. Conformance Standard

We aim to conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA, the internationally recognized standard for web accessibility published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). These guidelines define how to make web content more accessible to people with a wide range of disabilities, including visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive impairments.

3. Measures We Take

Sidekick Vet takes the following measures to ensure accessibility:

Include accessibility as a consideration in our design and development process
Use semantic HTML and ARIA attributes where appropriate to support assistive technologies
Ensure sufficient color contrast ratios between text and background elements
Provide text alternatives for non-text content, including images and icons
Ensure all interactive elements are keyboard-navigable
Design forms with clear labels, error messages, and instructions
Ensure the platform is usable at various zoom levels and screen sizes
Periodically review and test the platform for accessibility issues

4. Accessibility Features

The Sidekick Vet platform includes the following accessibility features:

Feature	Description
Keyboard navigation	All interactive elements (buttons, links, form fields) can be accessed and operated using a keyboard alone
Screen reader compatibility	Pages are structured with semantic HTML and ARIA landmarks to support screen readers
Text alternatives	Images and non-text content include descriptive alt text
Color contrast	Text and interactive elements meet WCAG 2.1 AA contrast ratio requirements (4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text)
Responsive design	The platform adapts to different screen sizes, orientations, and zoom levels up to 200%
Focus indicators	Visible focus indicators are provided for keyboard users navigating the interface
Form accessibility	Form fields include descriptive labels, and error messages are clearly associated with the relevant fields

5. Known Limitations

While we strive for full conformance with WCAG 2.1 Level AA, some areas of the platform may have accessibility limitations:

Video consultations. Real-time video consultations inherently rely on visual communication. We provide text-based chat as an alternative communication channel during consultations where available.
Third-party content. Some content or functionality provided by third-party services (such as our payment processor) may not fully conform to our accessibility standards. We select third-party partners who demonstrate a commitment to accessibility.
User-uploaded content. Photos and videos uploaded by users during consultations may not include text alternatives, as this content is provided in real time.

We are actively working to identify and resolve accessibility barriers and will update this statement as improvements are made.

6. Compatibility

Sidekick Vet is designed to be compatible with:

Current versions of major browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
Screen readers including VoiceOver (macOS/iOS), NVDA (Windows), and TalkBack (Android)
Operating system accessibility features such as display scaling, high contrast modes, and reduced motion preferences

7. Feedback & Assistance

We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of Sidekick Vet. If you encounter an accessibility barrier or need assistance using our platform, please contact us:

Email: support@puppilot.co with [Sidekick Vet – Accessibility] in the subject line
Include a description of the issue, the page or feature affected, and the assistive technology you are using (if applicable)

We will make reasonable efforts to respond within 5 business days and to provide the information or assistance you need in an accessible format.

8. Enforcement & Legal

We recognize that web accessibility is addressed by various laws and regulations, including:

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Title III of the ADA has been interpreted by courts and the Department of Justice to apply to websites and digital platforms that serve as places of public accommodation.
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. While Section 508 applies directly to federal agencies, its standards inform broader web accessibility expectations.
State accessibility laws. Various states have enacted or are considering legislation addressing digital accessibility requirements.

As a healthcare-adjacent platform, we take our accessibility obligations seriously and are committed to providing equitable access to veterinary telehealth services.

9. Assessment & Review

We assess the accessibility of Sidekick Vet through the following methods:

Self-evaluation using automated accessibility testing tools
Manual testing with keyboard navigation and screen readers
Review of user feedback and accessibility-related support requests

This statement will be reviewed and updated at least annually, or whenever significant changes are made to the platform.

10. Contact

Sidekick Vet
Operated by PupPilot Corp
Email: support@puppilot.co (subject line: [Sidekick Vet – Accessibility])
Website: https://www.sidekick.vet