Accessibility Statement
Accessibility
Statement
FlowWells is committed to ensuring that every visitor — regardless of disability, assistive technology, or device — can browse, shop, and get support on flowwells.com with full dignity and ease. This page explains our accessibility standards, current status, known limitations, and how to reach us if you ever need assistance.
Conformance Target
Wellness Is for Everyone — Without Exception
FlowWells sells the Full-Body Shiatsu Massage Mat with Heat — a product specifically designed to help people manage muscle tension, pain, and physical fatigue at home. Our customers include people of all ages, including older adults and individuals living with chronic pain or physical disabilities. For us, accessibility is not a formality. It is central to the mission of what we sell and who we serve.
We are an independently owned US-based e-commerce store built on Shopify, headquartered at 1051 148th St W, APT 208, Rosemount, MN 55068. We ship exclusively within the United States. Every page of flowwells.com — including our product page, checkout flow, order tracking, contact page, and all policy pages — is subject to ongoing accessibility review and improvement.
This statement describes our current conformance status, the specific accessibility features we have implemented, known limitations and our plans to address them, and the many ways you can contact us if you experience a barrier on our website. We review and update this statement at minimum annually, or whenever we make material changes to the site.
Our target standard is the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 at Level AA, published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). This standard is widely recognized as the benchmark for web accessibility and is referenced by the US Department of Justice in its ADA web accessibility guidance. We also maintain awareness of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act as amended and apply its principles to our content where applicable.
Quick Reference
The Four Principles of Web Accessibility We Follow
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 are organized around four core principles, often referred to by the acronym POUR. FlowWells applies all four principles across flowwells.com, including the product page, checkout, account, and all policy pages.
Perceivable
Information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive. On flowwells.com this means providing text alternatives for non-text content (such as product images), captions or transcripts for any video or audio content, content that can be presented in different ways without losing meaning, and sufficient color contrast between text and backgrounds so that users with low vision or color blindness can read our site comfortably.
Operable
User interface components and navigation must be operable. All functionality on flowwells.com — including adding products to cart, completing checkout, using the order tracking tool, filling out the contact form, and navigating between pages — must be accessible using a keyboard alone, without requiring a mouse or touch input. We aim to avoid content that causes seizures or physical reactions, and to provide users enough time to read and use content.
Understandable
Information and the operation of the user interface must be understandable. This means our text is readable and understandable, web pages appear and operate in predictable ways, and we help users avoid and correct mistakes. For example, our checkout process clearly labels all required fields, provides descriptive error messages when a field is completed incorrectly, and confirms order placement with a summary page before finalizing payment — reducing confusion and errors for all users.
Robust
Content must be robust enough that it can be interpreted reliably by a wide variety of user agents, including current and future assistive technologies. flowwells.com is built on Shopify's platform, which uses semantic HTML, ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) landmark roles and attributes, and standards-compliant markup that assistive technologies such as screen readers, braille displays, and voice control software can parse and relay accurately to users.
Accessibility Features on flowwells.com
The following features are currently implemented across flowwells.com to support visitors who use assistive technologies, keyboard navigation, or who have visual, motor, hearing, or cognitive disabilities.
Alternative Text for Product Images
All product images on the FlowWells Full-Body Massage Mat with Heat product page include descriptive alternative text (alt text) that communicates the content and function of each image to screen reader users. This includes gallery images showing the mat, detachable pillow, foot massager, remote controller, and in-use lifestyle photos. Alt text is also provided for all images on the homepage and informational pages. Users who cannot see images receive a written description that conveys the same information a sighted user would gain visually.
Keyboard Navigation Support
flowwells.com is built on Shopify, which implements keyboard-accessible navigation throughout the shopping experience. Users can tab through navigation links, product options, quantity controls, the "Add to Cart" button, and all checkout form fields without needing a mouse or touch screen. Focus indicators are visible on interactive elements so keyboard users always know where they are on the page. The site also includes a "Skip to Content" link at the top of each page, allowing keyboard users to bypass repeated navigation menus and jump directly to the main page content.
Screen Reader Compatibility
The flowwells.com Shopify theme uses semantic HTML5 elements — including <header>, <nav>, <main>, <footer>, and <article> — along with ARIA landmark roles and attributes to communicate page structure and component states to assistive technologies. Interactive elements such as buttons, links, and form fields are properly labeled so that screen readers announce their purpose accurately. The product image gallery includes ARIA-based modal and carousel markup to ensure assistive technology users can navigate images without confusion.
Accessible Checkout & Payment
Shopify's checkout process — which handles all order placement on flowwells.com — is designed and maintained by Shopify with accessibility in mind. Form fields in checkout are labeled with associated <label> elements or ARIA labels, required fields are clearly indicated, error messages identify which fields need attention and describe how to fix them, and the checkout accepts all major payment methods including keyboard-navigable options such as PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Shop Pay. Users may complete their entire purchase using a keyboard and screen reader without requiring phone or email assistance.
Color Contrast & Visual Readability
Text and interactive elements across flowwells.com are designed to meet the WCAG 2.1 minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text. Our color palette uses high-contrast text-on-background combinations throughout the site — including product descriptions, pricing, policy text, and navigation labels. We do not rely on color alone to convey information (for example, required form fields are also labeled with text, not just color). Our product pages use clearly structured visual hierarchy with large, legible headings so that users with low vision can scan and understand content without strain.
Responsive & Mobile-Accessible Design
flowwells.com is fully responsive and adapts cleanly to any screen size — from large desktop monitors to tablets and small-screen smartphones. All content, navigation menus, the product image gallery, quantity controls, the "Add to Cart" button, and the full checkout experience function correctly on mobile devices. Touch targets (buttons and links) are sized to be comfortably tappable without requiring fine motor precision. The site does not disable zooming in the browser viewport, allowing users who need to magnify text to do so freely on mobile and desktop alike.
Clear, Plain-Language Content
All written content on flowwells.com — including the product description for the FlowWells Full-Body Shiatsu Massage Mat, our FAQ page, all policy pages, and the Contact Us page — is written in plain, straightforward American English. We avoid unnecessary jargon, keep sentences concise, and organize information using clear headings so users with cognitive disabilities, reading disabilities such as dyslexia, or limited English proficiency can understand our product, policies, and how to get help without confusion.
Human Assistance Always Available
As a small, human-run business, FlowWells offers direct personal assistance to any customer who encounters an accessibility barrier on our website or who simply finds it easier to complete a task with help. You can email us at support@flowwells.com or use the live chat on our website Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Central Standard Time. We can assist you in reading product information, placing an order on your behalf, explaining our policies verbally, processing a return or refund request, or providing any document in an alternative format upon request.
Known Limitations & Our Plans to Address Them
We believe full transparency about current accessibility gaps is more useful to visitors than overstating our conformance. The limitations below reflect honest self-assessment of areas where we are actively working to improve. If you encounter any of these or any other barrier, please contact us immediately — we will assist you directly and log the issue for remediation.
Our product page features a nine-image gallery carousel. While keyboard navigation is supported by Shopify's platform, some screen reader users may find the carousel interaction pattern complex. We are reviewing this component and plan to implement enhanced ARIA live region announcements and clearer image-count labeling in our next theme update. In the meantime, all nine product images have descriptive alt text so screen reader users receive full product visual information without needing to interact with the carousel at all.
The live chat widget available on flowwells.com during business hours is provided by a third-party service. While we have selected a provider that meets our basic accessibility requirements, we cannot fully control the widget's accessibility implementation, and it may not be fully operable via keyboard alone or compatible with all screen readers in all configurations. If you experience difficulty using the live chat, email support@flowwells.com — we respond within one business day and provide the same level of support by email.
The product description for the Full-Body Massage Mat with Heat includes additional feature images sourced from the manufacturer and embedded within the description body. Some of these embedded images may lack descriptive alt text because they are hosted externally and loaded dynamically. We are auditing and adding alt text to all embedded description images as a priority item. Until complete, the surrounding product description text fully explains all features shown in these images.
The site header includes a country and currency selector dropdown that allows visitors to change their display currency. This component follows Shopify's standard implementation. While it is keyboard-accessible, the large number of country options in the dropdown and the full-page-refresh behavior upon selection may be disorienting for some screen reader or keyboard-only users. This is a Shopify platform limitation we have reported and are monitoring. For US shoppers, USD is the default and no interaction with this selector is necessary to browse or purchase.
The homepage includes lifestyle imagery and may include animated sections or short video clips in future updates. Currently, there is no video content with audio on the site, so captions are not yet required. Should we add any video content with spoken audio or meaningful sound, we commit to providing accurate closed captions and, where meaningful, audio descriptions of visual content. This commitment is in place before any such content is published.
As a small business operating on Shopify's hosted platform, some accessibility characteristics of our site depend on Shopify's theme code rather than custom FlowWells-controlled code. We are conducting an accessibility audit of our current Shopify theme to identify any remaining gaps between our theme's actual behavior and WCAG 2.1 Level AA requirements. Where we identify gaps, we will implement targeted fixes or request theme updates from Shopify. This audit is expected to produce an updated version of this page by the end of 2026.
US Laws & Regulations We Follow
Web accessibility is both the right thing to do and a legal obligation for businesses operating in the United States. Below are the primary laws and regulatory frameworks that govern our accessibility obligations as a US-based online retailer.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) — Title III
Title III of the ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by places of public accommodation. In March 2022, the US Department of Justice published guidance confirming that websites of businesses open to the public are covered by the ADA. In April 2024, the DOJ issued a final rule under Title II (applicable to state and local governments) explicitly adopting WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the required standard, reflecting the regulatory direction for private businesses as well. FlowWells proactively applies WCAG 2.1 Level AA as our target to meet ADA expectations and avoid discrimination against customers with disabilities.
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act
Section 508 requires that federal agencies' electronic and information technology be accessible to people with disabilities. While Section 508 directly applies to federal agencies rather than private businesses, the standard it references — WCAG 2.1 Level AA — is the same standard FlowWells targets. As a Shopify merchant that may serve government customers or employees who are subject to 508 requirements in their procurement decisions, FlowWells applies 508-equivalent principles to our web content, forms, and documents as a matter of good practice and inclusive design.
21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA)
The CVAA requires that modern communications services and equipment be accessible to people with disabilities. While the CVAA primarily applies to telecommunications and video programming, its principles reinforce our commitment to ensuring that all communications on flowwells.com — including our contact form, live chat, and email support — are fully accessible. Any future video content we publish on flowwells.com or in connection with our products will comply with CVAA captioning and audio description requirements as applicable.
State-Level Accessibility Laws
Several US states have enacted or are actively developing their own web accessibility laws and standards, particularly for businesses operating within those states. California's Unruh Civil Rights Act, for example, has been applied to websites by California courts and provides a private right of action for disability-based discrimination, with potential statutory damages. FlowWells ships to all 50 US states and therefore treats WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance as our nationwide minimum standard, satisfying both federal expectations and the most stringent state-level requirements.
Non-Discrimination as Business Policy
Beyond legal compliance, FlowWells maintains a firm internal policy of non-discrimination toward customers with disabilities. This means we will never deny service to, charge different prices to, provide inferior service to, or otherwise treat any customer differently on the basis of disability. If a disability affects a customer's ability to complete a purchase independently on our website, we provide direct human assistance — at no additional charge and without any delay beyond what a non-disabled customer would experience — to ensure equal access to our product and service.
Ongoing Monitoring & Annual Review
FlowWells commits to reviewing this Accessibility Statement and the accessibility of flowwells.com at minimum once per year, or whenever we make material changes to the site's design, content, or technology. Significant accessibility improvements identified through user feedback, automated scanning, or manual audit will be prioritized and addressed within a reasonable timeframe — targeting resolution within 30 days for critical barriers that prevent task completion, and within 90 days for significant but non-blocking issues. We log all accessibility complaints and track them to resolution.
Assistive Technologies & Browsers We Support
flowwells.com is tested for compatibility with the following combinations of assistive technologies and browsers. We aim for a functional and equivalent experience across all of the combinations below.
NVDA + Chrome (Windows)
NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access) is a free, widely-used open-source screen reader for Windows. Paired with Google Chrome on Windows 10/11, this combination represents one of the most common screen reader setups among users with visual disabilities. We test navigation, product browsing, cart, and checkout flows with this combination.
JAWS + Chrome or Edge (Windows)
JAWS (Job Access With Speech) is the industry-standard commercial screen reader for Windows, commonly used in professional and enterprise environments. We test flowwells.com with JAWS paired with both Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge on Windows to ensure corporate and institutional users experience full accessibility across all site functions.
VoiceOver + Safari (iPhone & Mac)
Apple's built-in VoiceOver screen reader, used with Safari on iPhone and macOS, is the primary accessibility tool for iOS users and a significant portion of macOS desktop users. Given that many of our customers shop on mobile, we specifically test the full mobile shopping experience — including the product page, quantity control, cart, and checkout — with VoiceOver on iPhone using Safari.
TalkBack + Chrome (Android)
TalkBack is the built-in screen reader for Android devices, used by millions of Android phone and tablet users globally. Paired with Chrome on Android, this is the predominant accessibility setup for Android shoppers. We test flowwells.com's mobile responsiveness, touch target sizing, and screen reader navigation with TalkBack to ensure Android users have a fully equivalent shopping experience.
Keyboard-Only Navigation (All Browsers)
We test all interactive flows on flowwells.com using keyboard navigation alone — no mouse, touchpad, or touch screen — across Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. This testing covers full task completion: landing on the homepage, navigating to the product page, reading the description, adding to cart, proceeding through Shopify checkout, and completing a purchase. All focus states, tab order, and skip-link functionality are verified in this mode.
Browser Zoom (200%) & High Contrast Mode
We verify that flowwells.com's content remains readable and functional when a browser's text zoom is increased to 200% — the WCAG 2.1 Level AA requirement — without horizontal scrolling or content overlap. We also test the site in Windows High Contrast Mode and macOS Increase Contrast setting to ensure text, borders, and interactive elements remain clearly distinguishable for users with low vision who rely on system-level contrast enhancements.
Tell Us About an Accessibility Issue
Discovered a barrier on flowwells.com? Unable to complete a task? Need content in an alternative format? Your feedback directly drives our improvements. Use the form or any of the contact methods below — we respond within two business days and treat every accessibility report as a priority.
Accessibility Feedback Form
All submissions are reviewed by our team and logged for remediation tracking. Fields marked * are required.
So we can follow up with you about the issue and confirm when it has been resolved.
Enter the full web address of the page where you encountered the barrier, or describe the section (e.g. "Product image gallery" or "Checkout page").
If you select a "Yes" option, a member of our team will reach out to the email address you provided above within one business day.
Your feedback is confidential and will only be used to improve accessibility on flowwells.com. View our Privacy Policy for details on how we handle your information.
Thank You — Feedback Received
We have logged your accessibility report and will review it within two business days. If you requested direct assistance, a member of our team will contact you at the email address you provided. We genuinely appreciate you helping us improve flowwells.com for everyone.
Related Policies & Pages
Need Accessibility Assistance Right Now?
If you cannot complete a task on flowwells.com due to an accessibility barrier, we will personally help you — by email, live chat, or any other means that works for you. Contact us at support@flowwells.com or through our Contact Us page. Our team in Rosemount, Minnesota responds within one business day, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Central Standard Time. No barrier should stand between you and the wellness relief you deserve.