# ADA Level AA Accessibility Assessment Report ## Hawk EPC Website (hawkepc.com) **Assessment Date:** October 7, 2025 **Assessor:** Shortcut Solutions **Standard:** WCAG 2.1 Level AA **Methodology:** Comprehensive accessibility testing including automated scanning, manual verification, keyboard navigation testing, screen reader evaluation, color contrast analysis, and responsive design testing --- ## Executive Summary ### Overall Site Compliance **Site-Wide Compliance Score:** 58/100 - PARTIALLY COMPLIANT **Legal Risk Assessment:** MODERATE **Pages Tested:** 6 primary pages ### Compliance Score Distribution - Fully Compliant (95-100): 0 pages - Substantially Compliant (80-94): 0 pages - Partially Compliant (60-79): 0 pages - Minimally Compliant (40-59): 6 pages - Non-Compliant (0-39): 0 pages ### Critical Findings Summary **CRITICAL ISSUES (Immediate Attention Required):** 1. **Missing Video Captions** - 2 videos lack captions (WCAG 1.2.2 Level A violation) 2. **Color Contrast Failures** - 25-32% failure rate across all pages 3. **Missing Focus Indicators** - 15-36 interactive elements per page lack visible focus 4. **Text in Images** - 5 images with insufficient alt text descriptions 5. **Missing ARIA Landmarks** - No semantic landmarks (header, footer, main, nav) detected **Site-Wide Issues Affecting All Pages:** - Navigation menu items: Insufficient contrast (1.12:1 and 3.66:1 vs required 4.5:1) - Dropdown menu text: Poor contrast ratios throughout - Missing keyboard focus indicators on interactive elements - Lack of semantic HTML5 landmarks for screen reader navigation ### Total Estimated Remediation Time **40-50 hours** across all identified issues --- ## Testing Methodology ### Standards and Guidelines This assessment evaluates compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA, the internationally recognized standard for web accessibility and ADA compliance. ### Testing Approach The assessment employed a comprehensive multi-faceted approach: 1. **Automated Scanning** - Comprehensive automated accessibility scanning - Color contrast ratio analysis across all text elements - HTML/ARIA validation and semantic markup evaluation - Structural and programmatic relationship verification 2. **Manual Testing** - Keyboard-only navigation testing across all pages - Focus indicator verification for interactive elements - Form accessibility evaluation including labels and error handling - Interactive element testing for proper functionality 3. **Assistive Technology Evaluation** - Screen reader compatibility assessment - Accessibility tree structure validation - ARIA implementation verification - Programmatic name and role determination 4. **Responsive Design Testing** - Multiple viewport sizes (320px, 768px, 1280px) - Zoom functionality testing (100%, 200%, 400%) - Content reflow verification at narrow widths - Mobile device compatibility assessment 5. **Media Accessibility Testing** - Video caption and audio description verification - Autoplay and control accessibility - Text-in-images detection using OCR analysis - Alternative text adequacy evaluation 6. **Cross-Page Consistency** - Navigation structure consistency across pages - Landmark presence and placement verification - Interactive element behavior consistency ### Pages Tested 1. Homepage (https://hawkepc.com/) 2. Contact Us (https://hawkepc.com/contact-us/) 3. Engineering Services (https://hawkepc.com/engineering/) 4. Fabrication Services (https://hawkepc.com/steel-fabrication/) 5. About Us (https://hawkepc.com/hawk-construction-company/) 6. Power Generation Market (https://hawkepc.com/markets-industries/power-generation/) --- ## Page-by-Page Assessment ### 1. Homepage (https://hawkepc.com/) **Compliance Score:** 50/100 - MINIMALLY COMPLIANT **Legal Risk:** HIGH **Screenshot:** `screenshots/homepage-full.png` **Score Breakdown:** - Base score: 100 - Contrast failures (31.7%): -20 points - Missing focus indicators (20): -10 points - Video caption violations (2 critical): -10 points - Text-in-images issues (5): -5 points - Missing landmarks: -5 points - **Final Score:** 50/100 **Detailed Findings:** **Contrast Analysis:** - Total elements checked: 353 - Passed: 241 (68.3%) - Failed: 112 (31.7%) - Impact: HIGH - Affects readability for users with low vision **Critical Contrast Failures:** 1. Video player controls: 2.77:1 (requires 4.5:1) - Color: rgb(102, 102, 102) on rgb(34, 34, 34) - Affects: Video time display, volume controls 2. Navigation menu items: 1.12:1 (requires 4.5:1) - Color: rgb(255, 255, 255) on rgb(242, 242, 242) - Affects: "Blog", "Our Markets" menu items 3. Dropdown menu text: 3.48:1 (requires 4.5:1) - Color: rgb(226, 35, 79) on rgb(34, 34, 34) - Affects: Menu hover states **Keyboard Navigation:** - Total interactive elements: 120 - Focusable: 20 - Missing focus indicators: 20 (100% of focusable elements) - Keyboard traps: 0 - Impact: CRITICAL - Users cannot see where keyboard focus is located **Video/Media Accessibility (CRITICAL VIOLATIONS):** - Videos found: 2 - Videos with captions: 0 - Videos with audio descriptions: 0 - Autoplay videos without controls: 2 **Video 1:** https://hawkepc.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/BROLL-Only.mov - Missing captions (WCAG 1.2.2 Level A - CRITICAL) - Missing audio descriptions (WCAG 1.2.5 Level AA) - No user controls for pause/stop - Autoplays without user consent **Video 2:** Inline video player - Missing captions (WCAG 1.2.2 Level A - CRITICAL) - Missing audio descriptions (WCAG 1.2.5 Level AA) - No user controls - Autoplays without user consent **Text-in-Images Issues:** - Total images analyzed: 15 - Images with text: 6 - Critical violations: 5 1. **Engineering Services Image** - Current alt: "hawk-epc-engineering-services" - Detected text: "ENGINEERING - Precision design that streamlines complex systems and supports scalable, long-term performance [Learn More]" - Issue: Alt text does not convey the full text content 2. **Fabrication Services Image** - Current alt: "hawk-epc-fabrication-services" - Detected text: "FABRICATION - Custom structural steel, piping, and pressure vessels manufactured to specification and built to last [Learn More]" - Issue: Alt text does not convey the full text content 3. **Installation Services Image** - Current alt: "hawk-epc-installation-services" - Detected text: "INSTALLATION - From prep to launch, Hawk EPC self-performs 90% of all construction work—ensuring safety, speed, and quality [Learn More]" - Issue: Alt text does not convey the full text content 4. **Alpine Silica Logo** - Current alt: Empty - Detected text: "Alpine Silica" - Issue: Missing alt text for logo 5. **LyondellBasell Logo** - Current alt: Empty - Detected text: "LyondellBasell" - Issue: Missing alt text for logo **Forms:** - Forms found: 2 - All forms have proper labels: YES - ARIA compliance: FULL - Keyboard accessible: YES **Zoom/Reflow Testing:** - 100% zoom: FAIL (5 overflowing elements) - 200% zoom: FAIL (5 overflowing elements) - 400% zoom: FAIL (5 overflowing elements) - 320px width: PASS - 768px width: PASS - 1280px width: FAIL (2 overflowing elements) **Animation/Flash Safety:** - Total animations: 14 - Flashing content: 0 - Compliance: PASS (no seizure risks detected) **Remediation Priority:** 1. Add captions to all videos (CRITICAL - Level A violation) 2. Fix navigation menu contrast (HIGH - affects all pages) 3. Add visible focus indicators (HIGH - keyboard accessibility) 4. Update alt text for service images (MEDIUM) 5. Add semantic landmarks (MEDIUM) **Estimated Remediation Time:** 12-15 hours --- ### 2. Contact Us Page (https://hawkepc.com/contact-us/) **Compliance Score:** 55/100 - MINIMALLY COMPLIANT **Legal Risk:** HIGH **Screenshot:** `screenshots/contact-us-full.png` **Score Breakdown:** - Base score: 100 - Contrast failures (25.7%): -15 points - Missing focus indicators (22): -10 points - Missing landmarks: -5 points - Navigation consistency issues: -15 points - **Final Score:** 55/100 **Detailed Findings:** **Contrast Analysis:** - Total elements checked: 296 - Passed: 220 (74.3%) - Failed: 76 (25.7%) - Impact: HIGH **Critical Contrast Failures:** Same navigation menu issues as homepage: - "Power Generation": 1.12:1 (requires 3.0:1 for large text) - "Petrochemical", "Food and Beverage", "Oil & Gas", "Heavy Manufacturing": 3.66:1 (requires 4.5:1) - "Engineering Services", "Frac Sand and Mining", "Industrial Construction": 1.12:1 (requires 3.0:1) **Keyboard Navigation:** - Total interactive elements: 116 - Focusable: 22 - Missing focus indicators: 22 (100% of focusable elements) - Keyboard traps: 0 **Forms:** - Forms found: 3 (including main contact form with 16 fields) - Form ID: forminator-module-102273 - All fields properly labeled: YES - ARIA compliance: FULL - Keyboard accessible: YES - Required fields marked: YES - **Form accessibility: EXCELLENT** **Remediation Priority:** 1. Fix navigation menu contrast (HIGH) 2. Add visible focus indicators (HIGH) 3. Add semantic landmarks (MEDIUM) **Estimated Remediation Time:** 6-8 hours --- ### 3. Engineering Services Page (https://hawkepc.com/engineering/) **Compliance Score:** 58/100 - MINIMALLY COMPLIANT **Legal Risk:** MODERATE **Screenshot:** `screenshots/engineering-full.png` **Score Breakdown:** - Base score: 100 - Contrast failures (25.5%): -15 points - Missing focus indicators (15): -10 points - Missing landmarks: -5 points - Navigation consistency issues: -12 points - **Final Score:** 58/100 **Detailed Findings:** **Contrast Analysis:** - Total elements checked: 294 - Passed: 219 (74.5%) - Failed: 75 (25.5%) **Keyboard Navigation:** - Total interactive elements: 108 - Focusable: 15 - Missing focus indicators: 15 (100% of focusable elements) **Forms:** - Forms found: 2 (search forms) - ARIA compliance: FULL - Keyboard accessible: YES **Estimated Remediation Time:** 5-7 hours --- ### 4. Fabrication Services Page (https://hawkepc.com/steel-fabrication/) **Compliance Score:** 60/100 - PARTIALLY COMPLIANT **Legal Risk:** MODERATE **Screenshot:** `screenshots/fabrication-full.png` **Score Breakdown:** - Base score: 100 - Contrast failures (22.2%): -15 points - Missing focus indicators (18): -10 points - Missing landmarks: -5 points - Navigation consistency issues: -10 points - **Final Score:** 60/100 **Detailed Findings:** **Contrast Analysis:** - Total elements checked: 347 - Passed: 270 (77.8%) - Failed: 77 (22.2%) - **Best contrast performance of all tested pages** **Keyboard Navigation:** - Total interactive elements: 111 - Focusable: 18 - Missing focus indicators: 18 (100% of focusable elements) **Forms:** - Forms found: 2 (search forms) - ARIA compliance: FULL - Keyboard accessible: YES **Estimated Remediation Time:** 5-7 hours --- ### 5. About Us Page (https://hawkepc.com/hawk-construction-company/) **Compliance Score:** 52/100 - MINIMALLY COMPLIANT **Legal Risk:** HIGH **Screenshot:** `screenshots/about-us-full.png` **Score Breakdown:** - Base score: 100 - Contrast failures (25.7%): -15 points - Missing focus indicators (36): -20 points (highest count) - Missing landmarks: -5 points - Navigation consistency issues: -8 points - **Final Score:** 52/100 **Detailed Findings:** **Contrast Analysis:** - Total elements checked: 416 - Passed: 309 (74.3%) - Failed: 107 (25.7%) **Keyboard Navigation:** - Total interactive elements: 129 - Focusable: 36 - Missing focus indicators: 36 (100% of focusable elements) - **Highest number of focus indicator issues** **Forms:** - Forms found: 2 (search forms) - ARIA compliance: FULL - Keyboard accessible: YES **Estimated Remediation Time:** 8-10 hours --- ### 6. Power Generation Market Page (https://hawkepc.com/markets-industries/power-generation/) **Compliance Score:** 56/100 - MINIMALLY COMPLIANT **Legal Risk:** MODERATE **Screenshot:** `screenshots/power-generation-full.png` **Score Breakdown:** - Base score: 100 - Contrast failures (28.8%): -20 points - Missing focus indicators (17): -10 points - Missing landmarks: -5 points - Navigation consistency issues: -9 points - **Final Score:** 56/100 **Detailed Findings:** **Contrast Analysis:** - Total elements checked: 323 - Passed: 230 (71.2%) - Failed: 93 (28.8%) - **Worst contrast performance of all tested pages** **Keyboard Navigation:** - Total interactive elements: 110 - Focusable: 17 - Missing focus indicators: 17 (100% of focusable elements) **Forms:** - Forms found: 2 (search forms) - ARIA compliance: FULL - Keyboard accessible: YES **Estimated Remediation Time:** 6-8 hours --- ## Site-Wide Issues and Patterns ### 1. Navigation Menu Contrast (CRITICAL - Affects All Pages) **Issue:** Dropdown navigation menu items consistently fail WCAG AA contrast requirements across all tested pages. **Affected Elements:** - Primary navigation hover states - Dropdown menu items - Submenu text **Current State:** - White text on light gray: 1.12:1 (requires 4.5:1 for normal text, 3.0:1 for large text) - Gray text on black: 3.66:1 (requires 4.5:1) **Impact:** Users with low vision, color blindness, or viewing in bright sunlight cannot read navigation menu items. **Remediation:** ```css /* Recommended CSS fixes */ .navigation-menu-item { color: #000000; /* Black text */ background-color: #FFFFFF; /* White background */ /* Provides 21:1 contrast ratio */ } .navigation-menu-item:hover, .navigation-menu-item:focus { color: #FFFFFF; /* White text */ background-color: #000000; /* Black background */ /* Provides 21:1 contrast ratio */ } .dropdown-menu-item { color: #FFFFFF; /* White text */ background-color: #333333; /* Dark gray background */ /* Provides 12.6:1 contrast ratio */ } ``` **WCAG Criteria Violated:** - WCAG 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) - Level AA **Estimated Time:** 3-4 hours --- ### 2. Missing Keyboard Focus Indicators (CRITICAL - Affects All Pages) **Issue:** 100% of focusable interactive elements lack visible focus indicators, making keyboard navigation impossible for users who cannot use a mouse. **Affected Elements:** - Navigation links - Buttons - Form inputs - Interactive images - Video controls **Current State:** No visible outline, border, or background change when elements receive keyboard focus. **Impact:** Keyboard-only users (including many users with motor disabilities) cannot determine which element currently has focus, making the site effectively unusable. **Remediation:** ```css /* Recommended CSS fixes */ a:focus, button:focus, input:focus, select:focus, textarea:focus, [tabindex]:focus { outline: 3px solid #0066CC; /* Blue outline */ outline-offset: 2px; /* Provides clear visual indicator */ } /* Alternative: Use box-shadow for more design flexibility */ a:focus, button:focus { outline: none; /* Remove default */ box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(0, 102, 204, 0.5); /* Provides visible focus with design control */ } ``` **WCAG Criteria Violated:** - WCAG 2.4.7 Focus Visible - Level AA - WCAG 2.1.1 Keyboard - Level A (functional impact) **Estimated Time:** 6-8 hours --- ### 3. Missing Semantic Landmarks (HIGH - Affects All Pages) **Issue:** No HTML5 semantic landmarks (header, footer, main, nav) detected on any tested page. **Current State:** Pages use generic `