Accessibility Statement
Inclusion & Equal Access
Accessibility Statement
Direct Pay Virtual Clinic is committed to ensuring that our website and telehealth services are accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities.
WCAG 2.1 Level AA
ADA Title III
Section 508
Section 1557 ACA
We believe that quality healthcare should be accessible to everyone. We are actively working to ensure our website and services meet or exceed accessibility standards so that no one is excluded from the care they deserve.
Our Commitment
Accessibility at Direct Pay Virtual Clinic
Direct Pay Virtual Clinic is committed to providing a website and telehealth services that are accessible to all individuals, including those with visual, auditory, motor, cognitive, and other disabilities. We believe that accessible healthcare is not just a legal obligation — it is a fundamental expression of our values as a patient-centered practice.
This Accessibility Statement describes our current accessibility status, the standards we work toward, the known limitations of our current implementation, and how you can contact us to request assistance or report an accessibility barrier.
This statement was last reviewed on March 18, 2026.
Legal Framework
Applicable Laws and Standards
Our accessibility efforts are guided by the following laws and technical standards:
Federal Law
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Title III of the ADA (42 U.S.C. § 12181 et seq.) requires places of public accommodation — including websites and digital services — to be accessible to individuals with disabilities. As a healthcare provider, Direct Pay Virtual Clinic is subject to ADA Title III requirements.
Federal Law
Section 1557 — Affordable Care Act
Section 1557 of the ACA (42 U.S.C. § 18116) prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in health programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance, and requires effective communication and equal access for individuals with disabilities.
Federal Standard
Section 508 — Rehabilitation Act
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. § 794d) establishes accessibility requirements for electronic and information technology. We use Section 508 standards as a reference benchmark for our digital accessibility efforts.
State Law
Minnesota Human Rights Act
The Minnesota Human Rights Act (Minn. Stat. Ch. 363A) prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in places of public accommodation, including healthcare services, and requires reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access.
Technical Standard
WCAG 2.1 Level AA
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA, published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), provide internationally recognized technical criteria for web accessibility. We use WCAG 2.1 AA as our primary technical target.
Federal Law
Section 504 — Rehabilitation Act
Section 504 (29 U.S.C. § 794) prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in programs receiving federal financial assistance and requires reasonable accommodations to ensure meaningful access.
Current Status
Our Current Accessibility Status
Direct Pay Virtual Clinic is partially conformant with WCAG 2.1 Level AA. Partially conformant means that some parts of the website may not fully meet all accessibility criteria. We are actively working to identify and address any barriers.
We are a small, independent virtual clinic and are committed to continuous improvement. If you encounter any accessibility barrier on our website or in our services, please contact us directly — we will respond promptly and work to resolve the issue.
Features We Have Implemented
- Semantic HTML structure with appropriate heading hierarchy (H1–H3) to support screen reader navigation
- Descriptive alt text on images where applicable, with null alt text on purely decorative images
- Sufficient color contrast ratios between text and background elements, targeting a minimum 4.5:1 ratio for normal text per WCAG 1.4.3
- Keyboard navigability — all interactive elements (links, buttons, forms) are accessible via keyboard without requiring a mouse
- Visible focus indicators on interactive elements to assist keyboard and switch device users
- Responsive design that adapts to varying screen sizes, including mobile devices and tablets
- Form labels and instructions clearly associated with their corresponding input fields
- Error identification and suggestions in forms to assist users who encounter input errors
- Text that can be resized up to 200% without loss of content or functionality
- No content that flashes more than three times per second, minimizing risk of triggering photosensitive conditions
- Page language declared in HTML to assist screen readers and translation tools
- Consistent navigation structure across pages to support users with cognitive disabilities
- HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform selected with accessibility in mind
Known Limitations
Areas We Are Working to Improve
We are aware of the following limitations and are actively working to address them:
- Some third-party embedded content (e.g., scheduling widgets, payment forms) may not fully conform to WCAG 2.1 AA. We are working with our vendors to improve accessibility of these components.
- Some older PDF documents linked from the website may not be fully accessible to screen readers. We are working to remediate these documents or provide accessible alternatives.
- Video content, where present, may not yet have closed captions or audio descriptions. We are working to add these where applicable.
- Some complex data tables may require further optimization for screen reader compatibility.
Service Accessibility
Accessibility of Our Telehealth Services
Beyond our website, we are committed to ensuring that our telehealth services themselves are accessible to patients with disabilities. This includes:
Communication Accessibility
- Language access: Patients with limited English proficiency have the right to language assistance services. Please notify us when scheduling your appointment so we can arrange appropriate language support. This right is protected under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act (42 U.S.C. § 2000d) and Section 1557 of the ACA.
- Hearing disabilities: Patients who are deaf or hard of hearing may request communication accommodations, including arrangements for a sign language interpreter or captioning services during telehealth visits. Please contact us in advance to arrange these services.
- Visual disabilities: Patients who are blind or have low vision may request that clinical information be provided in an accessible format, including large print or electronic text compatible with screen readers.
- Cognitive disabilities: We are committed to communicating in plain language and providing additional explanation or written summaries of visit information as needed. Please let your Provider know if you need information presented differently.
- Speech disabilities: Patients with speech disabilities may use text-based communication alternatives during telehealth visits where technically feasible. Please contact us in advance to discuss available options.
Physical / Motor Accessibility
- Our telehealth platform is designed to be accessible via keyboard navigation and is compatible with switch access devices and voice control software (e.g., Dragon NaturallySpeaking)
- Patients who require assistance operating their device during a telehealth visit may have a caregiver or support person present, provided they are disclosed to the Provider at the start of the visit
- If you require a specific technical accommodation to participate in a telehealth visit, please contact us before your appointment and we will do our best to accommodate your needs
Reasonable Accommodations
Direct Pay Virtual Clinic will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to ensure equal access to our services, as required by the ADA, Section 1557, and the Minnesota Human Rights Act. Accommodation requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis and granted where they do not impose an undue hardship or fundamentally alter the nature of our services.
To request a reasonable accommodation, please contact us using the information in the Contact section below. Accommodation requests should be made as far in advance as possible to allow us adequate time to arrange appropriate services.
Third-Party Technology
Third-Party Platforms and Tools
Our website and services rely on certain third-party platforms, including our telehealth video platform, scheduling system, and payment processor. While we select platforms with accessibility in mind and encourage our vendors to meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards, we cannot fully control the accessibility of third-party tools.
If you encounter an accessibility barrier within a third-party component of our website or services, please let us know. We will work with the relevant vendor to address the issue or provide an accessible alternative where possible.
Our website is built on the Shopify platform. For information about Shopify's accessibility efforts, please visit shopify.com/accessibility.
We Want to Hear From You
Feedback and Contact Information
We welcome feedback on the accessibility of our website and services. If you experience any accessibility barriers, have difficulty accessing any part of our website or services, or would like to request an accommodation, please contact us using any of the following methods:
Response Time
Within 2 business days
For accommodation requests, please contact us as early as possible before your appointment
We take all accessibility feedback seriously. Upon receiving your feedback, we will:
- Acknowledge receipt of your message within two (2) business days
- Investigate the reported barrier or accommodation request
- Provide an accessible alternative or interim solution where technically feasible while a permanent fix is implemented
- Work toward a permanent resolution of any identified accessibility barrier
- Keep you informed of our progress where appropriate
Your Rights
Enforcement and Complaint Procedures
If you are not satisfied with our response to an accessibility concern, you have the right to file a complaint with the following agencies:
Federal Agencies
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) — for complaints related to disability discrimination in healthcare under Section 504, Section 1557, and the ADA: www.hhs.gov/ocr | 1-800-368-1019 (TTY: 1-800-537-7697)
- U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division — for complaints related to ADA Title III violations: www.ada.gov | 1-800-514-0301 (TTY: 1-800-514-0383)
- U.S. Access Board — for technical guidance on accessibility standards: www.access-board.gov
Minnesota State Agencies
- Minnesota Department of Human Rights — for complaints related to disability discrimination under the Minnesota Human Rights Act: mn.gov/mdhr | (651) 539-1100
- Minnesota Department of Health — for complaints related to healthcare accessibility: www.health.state.mn.us | (651) 201-5000
Direct Pay Virtual Clinic will not retaliate against any individual for filing an accessibility complaint or requesting an accommodation, as prohibited by the ADA, Section 1557, and the Minnesota Human Rights Act.
Continuous Improvement
Our Ongoing Commitment to Accessibility
Accessibility is not a one-time project — it is an ongoing commitment. Direct Pay Virtual Clinic will:
- Conduct periodic reviews of our website and digital tools to identify and address accessibility barriers
- Consider accessibility requirements when selecting new third-party platforms, plugins, or digital tools
- Incorporate accessibility best practices into the development and update of all new website content
- Train relevant staff on accessibility requirements and best practices
- Update this Accessibility Statement when changes are made to our website, services, or accessibility status
- Actively solicit feedback from patients with disabilities to inform our ongoing accessibility efforts
This statement was prepared on March 18, 2026 and will be reviewed and updated at least annually, or whenever material changes are made to our website or services.
Need Assistance?
If you need help accessing any part of our website or services, or would like to request an accommodation, we are here to help. Please reach out — no one should be excluded from care.