1. Introduction & Purpose

This Digital Accessibility Policy (the "Policy") reflects Nexly Corporation's ("Nexly" or the "Company") commitment to providing equal access to its digital products and services for all users, including individuals with disabilities. Located at 701 South Street Suite 100, Mountain Home, AR 72653, Nexly believes that digital accessibility is a fundamental right and is essential to creating an inclusive and user-friendly experience for everyone. This Policy is designed to:

• Ensure Digital Inclusion: Ensure that all users, regardless of their abilities, can access and use Nexly's digital products and services.
• Comply with Accessibility Standards: Meet or exceed the requirements of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and other applicable accessibility standards and regulations.
• Enhance User Experience: Improve the overall user experience for all users by designing and developing accessible digital products and services.
• Promote Innovation: Foster innovation in accessible design and development practices.
• Reduce Legal Risk: Minimize the legal risks associated with non-accessible digital products and services.
• Train all Employees: Promote all employees with the tools they need to make accessibility an important aspect of their day-to-day work.

This Policy applies to all digital products and services developed, used, or managed by Nexly, including, but not limited to: websites, web applications, mobile applications, software, documents, videos, and other digital content. This Policy is to be read in conjunction with other Company policies, including, but not limited to, the Design System Guidelines and the User Interface/User Experience (UI/UX) Guidelines.

2. Accessibility Standards

Nexly Corporation will strive to meet or exceed the standards set by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA, as the primary standard for digital accessibility.

• 2.1. WCAG Compliance: All digital products and services must be designed and developed to meet the WCAG 2.1, Level AA, success criteria. This includes ensuring that content is:
  • Perceivable: Information and user interface components must be presented 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 that it can be interpreted reliably by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies.
• 2.2. Other Guidelines and Considerations: In addition to WCAG, Nexly will also consider the following:
  • Section 508 Compliance: When applicable.
  • Platform-Specific Guidelines: Following accessibility guidelines.
  • Usability Testing with Users with Disabilities: Conducting usability testing with users with disabilities.
  • Best Practices: Staying up-to-date with the latest accessibility best practices and technologies.

3. Roles & Responsibilities

Ensuring digital accessibility is a shared responsibility.

• 3.1. Board of Directors:
  • Provides oversight of the Company's digital accessibility program.
  • Approves this Policy and reviews its effectiveness.
• 3.2. Accessibility Steering Committee (or equivalent): (If applicable, or alternatively, a designated senior management group).
  • Develops and implements the Company's digital accessibility strategy and action plans.
  • Monitors and measures the Company's progress towards its accessibility goals.
  • Recommends and approves accessibility training programs.
  • Reviews and updates this Policy regularly.
  • The Accessibility Steering Committee will be comprised of [Specify Members and their Titles, e.g., the Head of Engineering, the Head of Product, UX/UI Design Lead, a representative from Marketing, and the Legal Counsel]. The Chair of the Committee will be [Specify Title, e.g., Head of Engineering].
• 3.3. Head of Engineering / Product (or equivalent):
  • Ensures that all digital products and services are designed and developed to meet the requirements of this Policy and the accessibility standards.
  • Oversees the integration of accessibility into the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC).
  • Works with the Accessibility Steering Committee to promote accessibility.
• 3.4. UX/UI Designers:
  • Design user interfaces that are accessible to all users.
  • Follow the Company's Design System Guidelines and Accessibility Guidelines.
• 3.5. Developers:
  • Develop digital products and services using accessible coding practices.
  • Use semantic HTML and ARIA attributes.
  • Ensure that all images have alternative text.
  • Ensure that sufficient color contrast is used.
  • Ensure that all content is keyboard accessible.
  • Ensure that all multimedia content has captions and transcripts.
  • Participate in accessibility testing and remediation.
• 3.6. Quality Assurance (QA) Testers:
  • Test digital products and services for accessibility.
  • Use accessibility testing tools.
  • Report accessibility issues to the appropriate personnel.
• 3.7. Content Creators (Writers, Editors):
  • Create accessible content, including:
    • Using clear and concise language.
    • Providing alternative text for images.
    • Using descriptive link text.
    • Structuring content logically.
    • Creating captions and transcripts for video and audio content.
• 3.8. Marketing & Communications Department:
  • Promotes digital accessibility.
  • Ensures all marketing materials are accessible.
• 3.9. All Employees:
  • Understand and support the Company's commitment to digital accessibility.
  • Follow the Company's accessibility guidelines.
  • Report any accessibility issues.

4. Implementation

Nexly Corporation will implement the following measures to ensure digital accessibility:

• 4.1. Accessibility Training:
  • Mandatory Training: Provide training on digital accessibility to all relevant employees, including designers, developers, QA testers, content creators, and project managers.
  • Role-Specific Training: Provide role-specific training.
• 4.2. Design System and Guidelines:
  • Accessibility-Focused Design: Develop and maintain a Design System that incorporates accessibility best practices.
  • Regular Updates: Keep the Design System and Accessibility Guidelines up-to-date.
• 4.3. Development Practices:
  • Secure Coding: Use accessible coding practices, including semantic HTML.
  • Code Review: Conduct code reviews to identify and address accessibility issues.
  • Testing and Validation: Use automated and manual testing tools to check accessibility, including screen readers and keyboard navigation.
  • Third-Party Code: Utilize the best third party code available.
• 4.4. Content Creation:
  • Accessible Content: Create accessible content.
  • Alternative Text: Provide meaningful alternative text for images.
  • Captions and Transcripts: Provide captions and transcripts.
  • Clear Formatting: Use clear and concise language, and structure content logically.
• 4.5. Accessibility Testing:
  • Testing Tools: Use a variety of accessibility testing tools.
  • Manual Testing: Conduct manual testing using screen readers, keyboard navigation, and other assistive technologies.
  • User Testing: Conduct user testing.
  • Remediation: Address the findings.
• 4.6. Procurement:
  • Vendor Standards: Ensure that all third-party digital products and services meet the requirements of this Policy.
  • Accessibility Criteria: Incorporate accessibility criteria into procurement decisions.

5. Policy Compliance and Enforcement

Compliance with this Digital Accessibility Policy is mandatory for all Users.

• 5.1. Responsibilities: All Users are responsible for complying with the requirements of this Policy.
• 5.2. Non-Compliance: Failure to comply with this Policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment or contract.
• 5.3. Remediation: The Company will take all required actions to remediate accessibility issues.

6. Policy Review & Amendments

This Digital Accessibility Policy will be reviewed and updated regularly to ensure its continued effectiveness.

• Review Frequency: This Policy will be reviewed at least [Specify Frequency, e.g., annually] or more frequently.
• Review Process: The review process will involve:
  • Stakeholder Input: Seeking input from relevant stakeholders.
  • Performance Evaluation: Assessing the Company's progress.
  • Testing and Auditing: Regular testing to identify areas for improvement.
  • Staying up-to-date: Keeping current with all standards.
• Policy Amendments and Communication: Any amendments to this Policy will be approved by [Specify Approving Authority, e.g., the Board of Directors or the Executive Leadership Team] and communicated to all relevant employees through [Specify Communication Channels, e.g., company-wide email, intranet posting, training sessions].
• Policy Ownership: The [Specify Department, e.g., Engineering or Product Department] is responsible for maintaining and updating this Policy, with support from Legal Counsel.

**Acknowledgement:** By working for Nexly Corporation, all employees are deemed to acknowledge that they will take steps to provide a usable digital experience for all users.