Accessibility Statement
Last Updated: November 4, 2025
Food Handlers of Texas is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people with disabilities. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone and applying the relevant accessibility standards to provide equal access to all our users.
Our Commitment
We are dedicated to providing a website and online certification courses that are accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of technology or ability. We actively work to:
- Meet or exceed Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards
- Ensure compatibility with screen readers and assistive technologies
- Provide alternative text for images and multimedia content
- Maintain high color contrast ratios for readability
- Enable full keyboard navigation throughout our site
- Offer clear, simple language and straightforward navigation
Conformance Status
WCAG 2.1 Level AA Conformance: Our website and courses are designed to conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards. This means we aim to meet the following criteria:
- Perceivable: Information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive
- Operable: User interface components and navigation must be operable
- Understandable: Information and the operation of the user interface must be understandable
- Robust: Content must be robust enough to be interpreted reliably by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies
Accessibility Features
Website Navigation
- Keyboard Navigation: All interactive elements can be accessed using keyboard-only navigation (Tab, Enter, Arrow keys)
- Skip Navigation Links: Skip-to-content links allow users to bypass repetitive navigation
- Focus Indicators: Clear visual indicators show which element has keyboard focus
- Logical Reading Order: Content is structured in a meaningful sequence for screen readers
- ARIA Landmarks: Semantic HTML and ARIA labels help assistive technologies understand page structure
Content Accessibility
- Alternative Text: All images include descriptive alt text for screen readers
- Video Captions: Course videos include closed captions and transcripts
- Color Contrast: Text meets WCAG AA contrast ratios (4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text)
- Resizable Text: Text can be resized up to 200% without loss of functionality
- Clear Language: Content is written in plain, understandable English (Grade 8-10 reading level)
- Headings: Proper heading hierarchy (H1-H6) for easy navigation
Forms and Interactions
- Form Labels: All form fields have clear, descriptive labels
- Error Messages: Errors are clearly identified and explained
- Touch Targets: Buttons and links have minimum 44x44 pixel touch targets for mobile users
- Time Limits: Users can extend time limits on exams if needed
- No Keyboard Traps: Users can navigate away from any element using only the keyboard
Assistive Technology Compatibility
Our website has been tested with the following assistive technologies:
- Screen Readers: JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver
- Browser Zoom: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge (up to 200% zoom)
- Keyboard-Only Navigation: All major browsers
- Speech Recognition: Dragon NaturallySpeaking
- High Contrast Modes: Windows High Contrast, browser extensions
Accommodations for Certification Exams
We provide reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities who need assistance completing our certification courses:
- Extended Exam Time: Additional time can be granted for quiz and exam completion
- Screen Reader Compatibility: All exam questions are fully accessible to screen readers
- Alternative Formats: Course materials can be provided in alternative formats upon request
- Large Print Certificates: Physical certificates can be printed in large format
- Phone-Based Assistance: Customer support can provide guidance over the phone
To request accommodations, please contact us at accessibility@foodhandlersoftexas.com or call (888) 645-1990 at least 48 hours before starting your course.
Third-Party Content
While we strive to ensure accessibility across our entire website, some third-party content (such as embedded videos from external platforms or payment processors) may not be fully under our control. We work with vendors who share our commitment to accessibility and actively seek alternatives when third-party content does not meet our standards.
Known Limitations
Despite our best efforts, some areas of our website may not yet be fully accessible. We are aware of the following limitations and are actively working to address them:
- Some PDF documents may not be fully tagged for screen readers (we are working to remediate all PDFs)
- Certain interactive course elements may have minor accessibility issues on older browsers
- Some third-party payment integrations may present accessibility challenges
If you encounter any accessibility barriers, please let us know so we can work to resolve them.
Continuous Improvement
Accessibility is an ongoing effort. We regularly:
- Conduct accessibility audits and testing with users who rely on assistive technologies
- Train our team on accessibility best practices and WCAG guidelines
- Update our content and code to address identified issues
- Monitor emerging accessibility standards and technologies
- Respond to user feedback and implement suggested improvements
Feedback and Contact Information
We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of our website and courses. If you encounter any accessibility barriers or have suggestions for improvement, please contact us:
Report an Accessibility Issue
Food Handlers of Texas
Accessibility Coordinator
Email: accessibility@foodhandlersoftexas.com
Phone: (888) 645-1990
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM CST, Saturday-Sunday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM CST
Response Time: We aim to respond to accessibility concerns within 2 business days and resolve issues within 5-10 business days, depending on complexity.
Legal and Regulatory Compliance
Our accessibility efforts align with the following standards and regulations:
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title III: We strive to ensure our online services are accessible to individuals with disabilities
- Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act: Our website meets federal accessibility requirements
- WCAG 2.1 Level AA: We conform to internationally recognized web accessibility standards
- Texas Accessibility Standards: We comply with state requirements for digital accessibility
Assistive Technology Resources
If you need assistance using assistive technologies, these resources may be helpful:
- Screen Readers: NVDA (Free), JAWS
- Browser Accessibility Features: Chrome Accessibility, Firefox Accessibility
- Operating System Features: Apple Accessibility, Windows Accessibility
Formal Complaints
If you are not satisfied with our response to your accessibility concerns, you may file a formal complaint with:
- U.S. Department of Justice: ADA Complaint Form
- Texas Department of State Health Services: For concerns related to our certification programs
Effective Date: November 4, 2025
Commitment: Food Handlers of Texas is committed to making our online certification courses accessible to all Texans, regardless of ability. Accessibility is not just compliance—it's the right thing to do.