Diversity, Inclusivity, & Accessibility

Effective September 1, 2024

At Verve & Spark, we firmly believe that diversity, inclusion, and accessibility are not just buzzwords, but essential pillars of any company's identity and success. We are committed to fostering a culture that celebrates differences, values every individual's unique contributions, and ensures that everyone feels respected, heard, and empowered to participate.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

Embracing Diversity

We understand that a diverse community brings together a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds, which enriches our creativity and innovation. We actively seek diversity in all aspects of our company, including race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, and more.

Inclusive Culture

We believe that an inclusive culture is one where everyone feels valued and included. Our commitment to inclusivity extends to all aspects of our company, from behind the scenes to our memberships to our digital spaces.

Community Engagement

Verve & Spark is dedicated to being an active and responsible member of the communities in which we operate. We engage in philanthropic activities and partnerships that promote diversity and inclusion, supporting causes that align with our values.

Feedback and Accountability

We encourage open and honest communication among our community. Feedback ensures that everyone has a voice, and we hold ourselves accountable for making necessary improvements to further our diversity and inclusion goals.

Company Diversity and Inclusion Statement

We are wholeheartedly committed to fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion. We recognize that diversity is not only a fundamental aspect of our society, but also a powerful driver of innovation, creativity, and business success. As such, we are dedicated to taking meaningful actions that reflect our commitment to diversity and inclusion in every aspect of our company.

Examples of Our Commitment

Our company is built on the principles of respect, open communication, and collaboration.

We encourage others to voice their perspectives and experiences.

We collaborate with individuals from all backgrounds to obtain the information we use in our printables, templates, etc.

We actively seek out and support diverse suppliers, contributing to the economic empowerment of minority-owned, women-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, and other underrepresented businesses. We strive to obtain supplies from within the United States when able to do so.

We engage with and support local organizations and initiatives that champion diversity and inclusion. Our participation in community events and charitable efforts aligns with our values and demonstrates our commitment to creating a positive impact.

We work with interns from various programs and backgrounds to teach marketing, social media, graphic design, and mental health-related projects.

We maintain a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination and harassment so that everyone that participates in our community feels safe and respected.

We are committed to continuously assessing and evolving our diversity and inclusion initiatives, seeking feedback from our community, and making necessary adjustments to drive progress.

We proudly make public statements and commitments to diversity and inclusion, and we actively engage with industry organizations and initiatives that align with our values.

At Verve & Spark, we aim to make diversity our strength and inclusion our promise. Together, we can create a world where differences are celebrated, opportunities are abundant, and everyone has a seat at the table.

Thank you for being a part of our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

OUR COMMITMENT TO ACCESSIBILITY

Accessibility Statement

At Verve & Spark, we are committed to ensuring that our services are accessible to all individuals, including those with disabilities. We strive to provide an inclusive and seamless experience for everyone, regardless of their abilities or the technologies they use.

Our Commitment

We are continually working to enhance the accessibility of our services and actively seek to comply with accessibility standards, including the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, WCAG 2.1 AA. These guidelines explain how to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities, and we are committed to following best practices to ensure a user-friendly experience for all.

Accessibility Features

Here are some of the accessibility features we have implemented or are working to implement on our platform:

Alternative text for all images and non-text content to make them accessible to screen readers and other assistive technologies.

Navigation using a keyboard, ensuring that individuals who cannot use a mouse or pointing device can still access our content.

Resizable text so that users can adjust the text size to their preference using browser settings or built-in text resizing tools.

Maintain sufficient contrast between text and background colors, enhancing readability for all users.

Forms and interactive elements are designed to be accessible and easy to use for keyboard-only users.

Responsive and compatible design with various screen sizes and devices, including mobile phones and tablets.

Accessibility keyboard shortcuts for common actions to enhance accessibility further.

Videos and multimedia content include captions, transcripts, and audio descriptions for accessibility.

Compatibility with various browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Apple Safari, etc.

Ongoing Efforts

While we are proud of the efforts we have made to make our services accessible, we recognize that accessibility is an ongoing process. We are committed to regularly reviewing and improving our website and services to enhance accessibility continually.

Accessibility Compliance Level

We aim to meet WCAG 2.1 AA compliance standards, striving for a high level of accessibility across our platform. Periodic audits are conducted to assess compliance and drive improvements.

Accessible Content

Accessible versions of certain content or documents are available upon request. Please contact us for specific requests.

Assistance for Users

We are dedicated to assisting users who require additional support. If you encounter accessibility barriers on our platform or need specific accommodations, please contact us through either our contact us form or through email or phone, which can be found in our footer, and we will make every effort to address your concerns and accommodate your needs promptly.

Accessibility Training

Our team keeps up to date on the latest in web accessibility standards and practices to ensure that content is consistently accessible.

Third-Party Content

Please note that our website may include content or features from third-party sources. While we strive for accessibility, we may not have full control over the accessibility of such content. If you encounter accessibility issues with third-party content, please report them to us.

Monitoring and Evaluation

We regularly monitor and evaluate our website's accessibility. Accessibility assessments are conducted periodically to identify and address any accessibility issues promptly.

Timeline for Improvements

We are committed to ongoing improvements to enhance accessibility. While we cannot provide specific timelines for all enhancements, we aim to address accessibility concerns promptly.

Legal Compliance

We are dedicated to complying with legal requirements related to accessibility, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable regulations.

Alternative Contact Methods

If you experience difficulty using the standard contact form due to accessibility concerns, please reach out to us at the phone number or email provided in the footer of this website.

External Accessibility Resources

For additional information on web accessibility or assistive technologies, we recommend referring to resources such as the Website Accessibility Initiative (WAI) and other relevant organizations.

User Testing

We regularly conduct user testing with individuals who have disabilities to gather feedback on our website's accessibility.

Feedback Mechanism

Please use our contact us page on this website to report any accessibility issues you encounter or to provide suggestions for improvement. Alternative methods can be found in our footer.

Community Engagement

We actively engage with disability advocacy organizations and communities to better understand and address accessibility needs.

We are committed to ensuring that all individuals have equal access to our services and are dedicated to fostering an inclusive digital environment for everyone. Your experience matters to us and we appreciate your support in our journey to enhance accessibility.