Kalamazoo Candle Company
Crafted with Care — Accessible to All
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WCAG 2.1 AA
Compliance Achieved
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SMB-Tailored
Right-Sized Engagement Model
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Real Users
Tested with Disabled Testers
The Challenge
Kalamazoo Candle Company is a small-batch artisan brand that has built a loyal following through authenticity, craft, and community.
Kalamazoo Candle Company is a small-batch artisan brand that has built a loyal following through authenticity, craft, and community. But like many small-to-mid-sized e-commerce businesses, digital accessibility wasn't on their radar — until the wave of ADA lawsuits reaching boutique retail brands made it an urgent business reality.
The team at Kalamazoo Candle knew they needed help, but were concerned about working with an accessibility vendor whose engagement model was designed for enterprise clients. They needed a partner who could deliver rigorous, human-led accessibility work at a scale that made sense for their business.
The Inclusive Web Solution
Inclusive Web delivered a focused WCAG 2.1 AA audit tailored to Kalamazoo Candle's Shopify storefront and business size — providing the same human expertise and real-user validation as our enterprise engagements, in a right-sized model built for growing brands.
We worked closely with their small development team to make remediation approachable, providing clear explanations alongside technical guidance — and verifying every fix before marking it complete.
WCAG 2.1 AA audit of Shopify storefront, including product pages, scent descriptions, and gift collections
Clear, jargon-free remediation guidance for non-specialist development teams
Verification of all fixes prior to sign-off
Real-user testing with testers who identify as disabled, validating a genuine improvement in browsing and purchasing experience
Lightweight ongoing monitoring appropriate for a growing brand
Real-User Accessibility Testing
Inclusive Web partnered with testers who identify as disabled and rely on assistive technologies daily — including screen readers, voice control, and keyboard-only navigation. This ensures that Kalamazoo Candle Company's digital experience works not just on paper, but in real-world use.
The Result
Full WCAG 2.1 AA compliance achieved across the Kalamazoo Candle storefront
All critical barriers resolved and verified by the Inclusive Web team
Real-user validation confirmed the site is genuinely usable by customers with disabilities
ADA legal risk substantially mitigated for a brand that was previously unprotected
Kalamazoo Candle now has an ongoing accessibility program that scales with their growth
"The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of welcome for everyone. Ellis Island is where millions of people — many with disabilities — first arrived in America. Our digital presence has to reflect that history. Inclusive Web made sure it does."
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE - STATUE OF LIBERTY & ELLIS ISLAND
Services Delivered
WCAG 2.1 AA Audit
• Remediation Verification
• Shopify Accessibility Review
• Real-User Testing
• SMB Accessibility Program
Compliance Drivers
Federal obligations and public expectations that made this work essential.
• ADA / Legal Risk Mitigation
• WCAG 2.1 AA Compliance
• Brand Values & Community Trust
Ready to make your digital experience accessible to everyone?
Inclusive Web combines human-led audits, verified remediation, and real-user testing to deliver accessibility that actually works.