Every Candidate Deserves Access. No Exceptions.
Cadient’s Candidate Experience platform is built to be as open as opportunity itself — accessible to every job seeker, regardless of how they navigate the web.
WCAG 2.1 Level A
Compliant
WCAG 2.1 Level AA
Compliant
Section 508
Aligned
ADA Title II
Aligned
Accessibility Is Not a Feature. It's a Foundation.
At Cadient, we believe the best hire can come from anywhere. That means the door to every application must be open to everyone — including the more than 1 billion people worldwide who live with a disability and rely on assistive technologies to access the web.
Hiring intelligence means nothing if qualified people can’t reach your application. That’s why we’ve built accessibility into the architecture of our Candidate Experience — not as an afterthought, not as a compliance checkbox — but as a core design principle that touches every screen, every form, and every interaction.
What WCAG Means
WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) is the globally recognized standard for making digital content usable by everyone — including people who rely on screen readers, keyboard-only navigation, voice input, switch controls, or other assistive technologies. Developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), WCAG is the benchmark for web accessibility compliance under U.S. ADA law and federal Section 508 requirements.
The guidelines are organized into four core principles: content must be Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust — often referred to as POUR. Compliance levels range from A (essential) to AA (the legal benchmark), with WCAG 2.2 as the updated standard Cadient is actively working toward.
The Cadient Accessibility Journey
Phase 1 · Baseline
WCAG 2.0 Compliance Established
Cadient’s Candidate Experience met the federal baseline for web accessibility — WCAG 2.0 — satisfying Section 508 requirements for federal contractors and laying the groundwork for future improvements.
Phase 2 · August 2022, Service Release 15
Upgraded to WCAG 2.1 Levels A & AA
With Service Release 15 (CA-12986), Cadient proactively upgraded the entire Candidate Experience to WCAG 2.1, Levels A and AA — going beyond the then-current legal requirement. This update introduced expanded support for assistive technologies, improved keyboard navigation, enhanced color contrast, and stronger screen-reader compatibility. Formal documentation was provided to enterprise clients including Costco.
Phase 3 · Coming in 2026
WCAG 2.2 Levels A & AA — In Progress
In alignment with the U.S. Department of Justice’s updated ADA web accessibility mandate, Cadient is actively building toward full WCAG 2.2 conformance in 2026 — introducing nine new success criteria that raise the bar for usability, focus clarity, and accessible authentication.
What Accessible Hiring Looks Like on Cadient
Our WCAG 2.1 implementation spans every layer of the Candidate Experience — from the first page a job seeker lands on to the moment they submit their application.
Screen Reader Compatibility
Every page of the Candidate Experience is fully navigable with leading screen readers, using semantic HTML, ARIA labels, and live region announcements for dynamic content.
Full Keyboard Navigation
No mouse required. Every interactive element — buttons, forms, dropdowns, and navigation — is fully operable via keyboard alone, with visible focus indicators throughout.
AA Color Contrast Standards
All text and interface elements meet or exceed the WCAG AA contrast ratio of 4.5:1, ensuring readability for users with low vision or color perception differences.
Accessible Forms & Error Handling
All application forms include clearly labeled fields, descriptive error messages, and instructions that do not rely on color alone — reducing friction for all candidates.
Mobile Accessibility
Our mobile-first apply flow is optimized for touch, gesture, and voice input — ensuring the same quality experience across every device and operating system.
ARIA Landmark Regions
Structural page regions (navigation, main content, footers) are correctly marked up with ARIA landmarks, enabling assistive technology users to jump directly to relevant content.
WCAG 2.2 Compliance in 2026
The U.S. Department of Justice has set 2026 as the compliance deadline for updated ADA web standards under WCAG 2.2. Cadient is actively building toward full WCAG 2.2 Level A and AA conformance — ahead of schedule.
WCAG 2.2 introduces nine new success criteria, all designed to make digital experiences more usable for people with cognitive, motor, and visual disabilities. Here’s what we’re working on:
- Focus Appearance: Enhanced visibility of keyboard focus indicators across all interactive elements
- Dragging Alternatives: All drag-and-drop functionality will have single-pointer alternatives
- Minimum Target Size: Interactive elements will meet a minimum 24×24 px target size for motor accessibility
- Accessible Authentication: Login and verification flows redesigned to remove cognitive barriers and CAPTCHA friction
- Redundant Entry Prevention: Candidates will not be required to re-enter information they have already provided
- Consistent Help Access: Help and support mechanisms will appear in a consistent location across all pages
The Regulatory Foundation
Cadient’s accessibility program is designed in alignment with the following legal and regulatory frameworks governing digital accessibility in the United States and internationally.
- ADA Title II & III
- Americans with Disabilities Act — prohibits discrimination based on disability in places of public accommodation, including digital environments.
- Section 508
- Federal requirement that electronic and information technology be accessible to people with disabilities — the legal baseline for federal contractors.
- WCAG 2.1
- The W3C’s internationally recognized web accessibility standard — our current conformance level at Levels A and AA since August 2022.
- WCAG 2.2
- The updated W3C standard, adopted as the new ADA digital compliance benchmark. Cadient is targeting full A and AA conformance — coming in 2026.
Encountered an Accessibility Barrier?
We take every report seriously. If you or a candidate experiences an accessibility issue on any Cadient-powered page, our team is committed to responding promptly and making it right.