ACCESSIBILITY
EVERYBODY SHOULD BE ABLE TO PLAY.
The internet should work for people.
All people.
WHISSTIX is committed to making our website and digital experiences accessible and usable for as many people as reasonably possible, including people with disabilities.
Because accessibility isn't a feature we bolt onto the side of a website.
It's part of building a good one.
WHAT ACCESSIBILITY MEANS TO US.
People experience the internet differently.
Some people use a mouse.
Some use a keyboard.
Some use screen readers.
Some enlarge text.
Some rely on captions.
Some need greater contrast.
Some navigate using assistive technologies we may never personally use.
That's exactly why accessibility matters.
Our goal is to create a WHISSTIX experience that doesn't unnecessarily exclude someone because of how they see, hear, move, communicate, or interact with technology.
WHAT WE'RE WORKING TOWARD.
WHISSTIX aims to improve the accessibility of our website with recognized accessibility principles and applicable standards in mind, including the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) published by the World Wide Web Consortium.
That means paying attention to things like:
Keyboard navigation
Readable text and adequate contrast
Logical headings and page structure
Alternative text for meaningful images
Clear links and buttons
Accessible forms and labels
Captions or text alternatives for meaningful video and audio content where appropriate
Content that remains understandable when enlarged
Avoiding unnecessary barriers created by animation or movement
Compatibility with commonly used assistive technologies where reasonably possible
Accessibility isn't one checkbox.
It's a lot of little decisions made correctly.
WE LIKE LOUD DESIGN.
WE DON'T LIKE INACCESSIBLE DESIGN.
If you've spent five minutes around WHISSTIX, you've probably noticed we're not exactly afraid of contrast, oversized typography, strange illustrations, movement, or making a little noise.
That's part of who we are.
But brand personality shouldn't require someone to fight the website.
As WHISSTIX evolves, we'll work to balance our visual identity with readability, navigability, contrast, understandable structure, and accessible interaction.
THE WEBSITE CAN BE WILD.
USING IT SHOULDN'T BE.
IMAGES SHOULD SAY SOMETHING.
WHISSTIX is going to use a lot of images.
Cats.
Products.
Illustrations.
Probably cats doing things we can't adequately explain.
Where an image communicates meaningful information, we aim to provide appropriate text alternatives so people using screen readers or other assistive technology aren't unnecessarily excluded from that information.
Decorative images don't need to give somebody a ten-minute audiobook about a pink feather.
Useful information does.
VIDEO MATTERS HERE.
Let's be realistic.
A lot of WHISSTIX makes considerably more sense when you see a cat using one.
As we publish meaningful video content, we'll work toward providing appropriate accessibility features—such as captions, transcripts, descriptions, or surrounding text—when those features are necessary to understand the information being communicated.
Because:
“Just watch the video.”
isn't a particularly useful instruction for someone who can't experience it the same way you do.
YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO USE A KEYBOARD.
Important website functionality should not unnecessarily depend on precise mouse movement.
We aim for customers to be able to navigate essential portions of the WHISSTIX website using a keyboard and compatible assistive technologies where reasonably possible.
That includes important things like:
Navigation
Forms
Buttons
Links
Product selection
Shopping functions
Checkout-related interactions under our control
If something traps you, hides from you, or refuses to cooperate—
we want to know.
BUYING SOMETHING SHOULDN'T BE THE HARD PART.
Accessibility matters everywhere on the website.
It matters especially when someone is trying to purchase something.
We want customers to be able to understand product information, select products, review their cart, enter necessary information, understand errors, and complete purchases with as few unnecessary barriers as reasonably possible.
Some checkout functionality may be provided by third-party services.
We'll work within the systems available to us and choose providers thoughtfully.
THIRD-PARTY CONTENT & SERVICES.
Some parts of the WHISSTIX website may rely on third-party platforms, applications, embedded content, payment systems, social-media services, or other technology that we do not fully control.
Those third parties may maintain their own accessibility features and limitations.
That doesn't mean we shrug and point at somebody else.
Where we identify a meaningful accessibility problem involving a third-party service, we'll consider what we can reasonably do—whether that's configuration, communication, an alternative method, or eventually choosing a better solution.
“NOT OUR CODE” ISN'T MUCH HELP TO THE PERSON TRYING TO USE IT.
ACCESSIBILITY ISN'T FINISHED.
AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO PRETEND IT IS.
Websites change.
Browsers change.
Assistive technologies change.
Standards change.
And we'll undoubtedly discover things we could have done better.
WHISSTIX views accessibility as an ongoing effort, not a certificate we hang on the wall and forget about.
We'll continue working to identify and improve accessibility barriers as the company and website grow.
FOUND A PROBLEM?
PLEASE TELL US.
This is probably the most important section on this page.
If you're having difficulty accessing something on the WHISSTIX website, completing an action, understanding content, or using a feature because of an accessibility issue—
WE WANT TO KNOW.
Contact us and tell us:
What you were trying to do
Which page or feature caused the problem
What device or browser you were using, if known
What assistive technology you were using, if relevant
What happened
You don't need to write a technical report.
Just tell us where you got stuck.
WE'LL TRY TO FIND ANOTHER WAY.
If an accessibility barrier prevents you from obtaining information, purchasing a product, contacting us, or accessing another service we provide, please reach out.
Where reasonably possible, we'll work with you to provide the information, communication, or service through an accessible alternative while we investigate the underlying issue.
Because telling someone:
“SORRY, THE WEBSITE DOESN'T WORK FOR YOU.”
isn't customer service.
ACCESSIBILITY FEEDBACK
For accessibility questions, concerns, or assistance:
WHISSTIX Accessibility
Email: [ACCESSIBILITY EMAIL]
Phone: [PHONE NUMBER — IF OFFERED]
Mail: [BUSINESS MAILING ADDRESS]
If you're contacting us about a specific webpage, including the page address or page name can help us locate the issue faster.
We will make reasonable efforts to respond to accessibility-related communications in a timely manner.
NEED HELP PLACING AN ORDER?
If an accessibility issue prevents you from completing a purchase through our website, contact us before giving up.
Where reasonably possible, we'll help identify an accessible alternative for completing the transaction without requiring you to overcome the same barrier.
You came here for a WHISSTIK.
THE WEBSITE SHOULDN'T BE THE THING THAT STOPS YOU.
NO PERFECT-SCORE THEATER.
We're not going to tell you this website is “100% accessible.”
That's an enormous promise about a constantly changing website, across devices and technologies we don't entirely control.
What we will say is this:
We care.
We'll keep working on it.
We'll listen when someone identifies a problem.
And we'll try to fix barriers instead of defending them.
THAT'S THE STANDARD WE CAN ACTUALLY LIVE BY.
ONE MORE THING.
ACCESSIBILITY ISN'T CHARITY.
People with disabilities are customers.
Creators.
Retailers.
Animal lovers.
Shelter workers.
Employees.
Partners.
And people who just want to watch a cat launch itself across a living room after a feather.
Making WHISSTIX more accessible isn't us doing somebody a favor.
IT'S US DOING OUR JOB BETTER.
THE SHORT VERSION.
CAN'T READ IT?
Tell us.
CAN'T HEAR IT?
Tell us.
CAN'T NAVIGATE IT?
Tell us.
CAN'T BUY IT?
Definitely tell us.
FOUND SOMETHING WE MISSED?
We want to know.
We'll keep learning.
We'll keep improving.
We'll keep listening.
Because everybody should have a reasonable opportunity to experience what we're building.