Accessibility Statement

Thealchemy.nyc is designed and developed against WCAG 2.1 AA. The site is built so that users with a range of abilities can perceive the content, operate the interface, understand the information, and rely on the markup to be robust across assistive technology stacks. The specific features that support accessibility are listed below.

Keyboard navigation throughout the site without requiring a mouse. Every interactive element, including the age-gate, product browsing, the cart, the checkout flow, account management, the chat tool, and the loyalty interface, is reachable and operable via keyboard alone. Tab order follows logical reading order. Focus indicators are visible and meet the 3:1 contrast threshold against the surrounding background.

Alt text on product images and informational images. Product images carry descriptive alt text covering the format (flower jar, vape cartridge, edible package), the brand, the strain or cultivar name, and any visually-relevant detail (color, packaging style). Decorative images are marked appropriately (alt="" or aria-hidden="true") so screen readers do not read meaningless filenames.

Screen reader compatibility. We test the menu browse, the product detail page, the cart, the checkout, the order confirmation, the loyalty dashboard, and the account management pages against NVDA on Windows (using both Firefox and Chrome) and VoiceOver on macOS and iOS at each material site change. JAWS testing is done on a periodic schedule.

Sufficient color contrast. Text-to-background contrast meets WCAG AA standards (4.5:1 for body text, 3:1 for large text and graphical objects) across both the dark-theme and light-theme presentations of the site. Color contrast is verified on every component using contrast-ratio checking tools during development.

Scalable text size. The page layout responds to browser zoom up to 200 percent without breaking, losing content, or producing horizontal scroll. The mobile site responds to system text-size preference settings (iOS Dynamic Type and Android system font scaling).

Form labels programmatically associated with input fields. Age verification fields, shipping address fields, account creation fields, loyalty enrollment fields, and accessibility request fields all have associated labels rather than placeholder-only inputs. Error messages are programmatically associated with the corresponding field and announced to assistive technology.

Skip links. A skip-to-main-content link appears at the start of every page so keyboard and screen reader users can bypass repetitive site navigation. The skip link is visible on focus and meets the same contrast requirements as other interactive elements.

ARIA landmarks. The site uses semantic HTML landmarks (header, nav, main, footer, aside) supplemented by ARIA roles where needed for assistive technology orientation. Landmark labeling is consistent across the site for predictable navigation.

Captioned video and transcripted audio. Where the site includes video or audio content, we publish captions and transcripts. Embedded third-party videos are reviewed for caption availability before inclusion; we do not embed third-party video without captions.

Reduced motion respect. Animations and motion-based transitions respect the prefers-reduced-motion media query. Customers with vestibular sensitivities, motion-induced migraine, or other motion-related accessibility needs see static or minimally-animated equivalents.

Touch target size. Interactive elements on mobile and tablet meet the 44 by 44 CSS pixel minimum touch target size per WCAG 2.5.5. This includes buttons, links, form controls, and cart-management interactions.

Where we have identified accessibility gaps, we are actively working on remediation. If you encounter a barrier on our website, please contact [email protected] with a description of the issue and the browser and assistive technology you are using. We respond within one business day and document the issue for the development team.

The Alchemy Chelsea and The Alchemy Flatiron both provide the physical accessibility features described below. The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design govern the technical requirements (28 CFR Part 36, Appendix A).

Step-free entry. Both locations have step-free entry at the storefront door. The Chelsea vestibule and the Flatiron entrance under the green awning are both at sidewalk grade with no threshold height that obstructs wheelchair or mobility-device entry.

Wide aisles. The sales floor is laid out with primary circulation aisles sized at 36 inches minimum, which accommodates standard wheelchair and assistive-device passage per ADA Standards §403.5.1. Display cases and counters are spaced so a wheelchair user can approach the product display without obstruction. Secondary aisles between display cases meet the 32-inch minimum at any pinch point.

Adjustable counter height. Checkout counters include a lowered section at 34 inches above floor level, accessible from wheelchair seated height per ADA Standards §904.4.1. The standing counter is the default; the lowered section is staffed when requested. At Chelsea, the lowered section is at the south end of the counter; at Flatiron, it is at the west end. The age-check station at the vestibule also offers a lowered position for seated identification verification.

Accessible restrooms. Where restrooms are available to customers, they meet ADA Title III accessibility standards including the 60-inch turning radius for wheelchair maneuverability, grab bars meeting §609 specifications, accessible fixture heights, and accessible signage at the door.

Service animal welcome. Service animals as defined by the ADA are welcome on the sales floor at both locations. We do not require service animal documentation. We follow the ADA-permitted two-question protocol where service animal status is ambiguous: (1) is the service animal required because of a disability? (2) what work or task has the service animal been trained to perform? We do not ask about the nature of the disability. We do not require the service animal to perform the task on demand.

Quiet consultation area. A quieter back-of-house consultation area is available on request when staff capacity allows. The area is useful for customers with sensory sensitivities who prefer to step out of the main sales floor pace. At Chelsea, the consultation area is the back-of-house meeting room directly behind the sales floor; at Flatiron, it is the second-floor consultation space accessed via elevator. The Flatiron elevator meets ADA Standards §407 for accessible passenger elevators.

Tactile and visual signage. Restroom signs, exit signs, and other key navigation signage include tactile (raised character and Braille) labels per ADA Standards §703 and §216. Visual signage uses high-contrast typography that meets the 70 percent contrast ratio against the background.

Floor surface. Floor surfaces at both locations are stable, firm, and slip-resistant per ADA Standards §302.1. There are no rugs, mats, or other surface treatments that obstruct wheelchair maneuverability or create trip hazards.

We support the following communication accommodations on request.

Large-print menus. A large-print menu (18-point font minimum, high-contrast layout) is available at the front desk at both locations. Ask any team member. The large-print menu mirrors the standard menu content and is updated on the same cadence.

Spoken menu walkthroughs. Budtenders are trained to verbally walk through the menu for customers with low vision or who prefer audio over written information. The walkthrough adapts to the customer's areas of interest (flower, pre-rolls, vapes, edibles, beverages, concentrates, accessories) and includes cannabinoid content, terpene profile, and consumption guidance.

Written communication. For customers who prefer written communication during a consultation, we use a notepad, an iPad with a notes app, or printed product information cards. The iPad's font size and color contrast can be adjusted on request.

Patient consultation pace. Our team is trained to move at the customer's preferred pace. There is no time pressure on consultations, even during peak retail hours. A consultation that runs 30 minutes is welcome. A consultation that requires multiple visits to land on the right product is welcome.

Sensory considerations. Both stores can be busy during peak retail hours (Fridays and Saturdays from 5 pm onward, the days surrounding 4/20 and Pride weekend, Thanksgiving Eve, and the December holiday period). Customers with sensory sensitivities may prefer to visit during lower-traffic windows, typically mid-morning or early afternoon on weekdays. The quiet consultation area is the alternative when peak hours are unavoidable. We can also turn down ambient music and dim the front-of-house lighting on request for the duration of a consultation.

ASL coordination. We do not have ASL interpreters on every shift, but we can coordinate an interpreter with advance notice via [email protected]. We also support video relay service calls through standard relay providers (Sprint Relay, Hamilton Relay, Sorenson VRS, Convo) at our storefront phone lines and through the chat function for text-based VRS workflows.

TTY support. We accept TTY calls through the standard 711 relay service. The team is trained on relay protocol and we extend patience accordingly.

The Alchemy team includes multilingual budtenders across both locations. Languages spoken on staff include English, Spanish, Mandarin, French, Russian, Korean, and Portuguese, with coverage varying by shift. Customers preferring service in a specific language can ask at the front desk; we will route to a budtender who speaks the requested language or coordinate translation support through a phone-based interpreter service (Language Line Solutions) when in-person coverage is not available on shift.

Written product information is published in English. We can provide spoken translation of menu items, product information, and consumption guidance through the multilingual team members. For customers who prefer written translation, we can use the iPad with a translation app for short exchanges; longer documents (privacy policy, terms of service) are translatable on request with one week of lead time.

The chat function on thealchemy.nyc supports text-based communication accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing customers as a primary channel rather than a fallback. The chat handles product questions, ordering help, and pickup coordination during business hours. The chat interface meets WCAG 2.1 AA standards including keyboard navigation, screen reader compatibility, and color contrast.

Phone support is available during business hours and welcomes relay-service calls (TTY via 711, video relay service, IP relay). The team is trained on relay protocol, which can run slower than direct voice; we extend patience accordingly and do not rush calls.

For email accessibility support requests, the dedicated channel is [email protected]. Email is monitored Monday through Friday with a one-business-day response target. We respond in plain-text email if the customer prefers, and we can provide email responses in larger font on request.

We aim to make the cannabis purchase experience approachable for customers with cognitive or neurodevelopmental considerations including autism spectrum, ADHD, dyslexia, intellectual disability, traumatic brain injury, post-stroke cognitive changes, and dementia. The cannabis retail environment can be overwhelming for any customer the first time, and we have built our consultation protocol around plain-language explanation rather than industry jargon.

Our consultation approach centers on clear, plain-language explanation. Budtenders are trained to check understanding by asking the customer to restate the recommendation in their own words. We avoid cannabis jargon (cultivar, chemovar, entourage effect) unless the customer introduces the terms first.

We provide written summaries of consultation recommendations on request, with product name, dose, format, intended use case, and consumption guidance noted on a printed card. The card can be referenced after the visit when the customer is consuming the product at home.

We support customers bringing a trusted companion (adult 21 and over with valid ID) for support during the visit. The companion is welcome on the sales floor and in the consultation area. The companion cannot purchase on behalf of a customer who is not 21+.

For customers who prefer to plan in advance, we offer a phone or chat pre-consultation before the in-store visit, which lets the customer review options without the in-store time pressure. The pre-consultation can run 15 to 30 minutes and produces a shortlist of products to evaluate when the customer arrives.

For customers who prefer a structured visit format, we can pre-pull a recommended product to the consultation area before the customer arrives, which removes the in-store browsing step.

Customers using wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches, scooters, or other mobility aids are welcome at both locations. Floor space, aisle width, and counter height accommodate standard mobility aids. Power wheelchair turning radius (60 inches) is supported in primary circulation areas including the consultation areas and the lowered counter section.

Personal care attendants are welcome on the sales floor at both locations. The attendant does not need to be 21 or over to be on the floor in a personal-care-attendant capacity, but the attendant cannot make a purchase on behalf of the customer if the attendant is under 21.

We treat accessibility as a continuous practice. Our internal review cycle runs quarterly across the website and the two storefronts, with a review against WCAG 2.1 AA for digital and ADA Title III for physical. We welcome customer feedback as the highest-signal input to that review.

To provide accessibility feedback: [email protected]. We respond within one business day. Issues that require development work enter a tracked queue that we review weekly. Issues that can be resolved through staff training or in-store operational change are addressed within two weeks. Issues that require architectural change (e.g., physical modifications to the storefront) are addressed on a longer cadence with the customer informed of the timeline.

When we identify a gap that we cannot resolve quickly, we publish a workaround on this page and update the page when the underlying gap is resolved. The workaround section appears below if any current gaps are documented.

We currently have no published workarounds. If we identify a gap that requires a workaround, the workaround will be documented here with the date of identification, the expected resolution timeline, and the specific accommodation customers can request in the meantime.

WCAG 2.1 AA standards at w3.org/TR/WCAG21. ADA Title III standards (2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design) at ada.gov/2010ADAstandards_index.htm. NYC Human Rights Law accessibility provisions through NYC Commission on Human Rights at nyc.gov/cchr. NYC building accessibility requirements through the NYC Department of Buildings at nyc.gov/buildings. Service animal definition and protocols at ada.gov/regs2010/service_animal_qa.html. Relay service standards at fcc.gov/general/telecommunications-relay-services-trs.

License status for both Alchemy locations through the OCM public licensee directory at cannabis.ny.gov/dispensary-verification.