This site should work for everybody.
We build for a standard and we test against it rather than assuming. This page says what we aim for, what we have actually checked, where we know we fall short, and how to tell us when we have got it wrong.
In plain words first. This is a summary of how the site actually works, written against the code that makes it true. It does not replace the notice below it, which is the document that governs.
What we aim for
We aim to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA across this website and the partner portal.
That is a target we work to, not a certification anybody has issued us. This page describes our own testing honestly, including the parts we have not solved.
What we have checked
These are tested automatically every time we change the site, not once at launch:
- Colour contrast. Every piece of text on every page is measured against the contrast floor for its size. A page that fails does not ship.
- Small screens. No sideways scrolling, no text below 11px, and no tap target below 40px, at 320, 375, 414 and 768 pixels wide.
- Keyboard use. Everything that can be clicked can be reached and operated with a keyboard, focus is always visible, and dialogs trap focus while they are open and return it where it came from when they close.
- Structure. Headings run in order, form fields have real labels rather than placeholder text standing in for them, and images that carry meaning have text alternatives.
- Without JavaScript. Every form on this site submits and every button does something with scripts turned off or blocked.
The portal ships in a light build as well as a dark one, and anybody signed in can switch between them from their own toolbar - the choice is saved to the account and follows you to any machine you sign in on.
Where we know we fall short
Being specific about this is more useful than claiming full compliance:
- Documents other people wrote. PDFs supplied by partner organizations or state agencies are published as we receive them and may not be tagged for a screen reader. Ask us and we will get you the content in another form.
- The donation form. It is built by our payment provider rather than by us, and we do not control its markup.
- Our own automated testing is not a person. It catches contrast, structure and size. It does not tell us whether a page makes sense read aloud.
Tell us
If any part of this site is hard to use, write to support@defenseinterns.com and say what you were trying to do and what got in the way. You do not need to know the technical name for the problem.
We will come back to you, and if something is stopping you applying to the program or reaching your portal we will find another way to get you what you need while we fix it.
Accessibility Notice
Effective September 1, 2026. This is the operative document. Where it and the summary above differ, this one governs.
I. Title and commitment
Accessibility Notice
Effective Date: 9/1/2026
Defense Interns Corp, doing business as Defense Interns, will use commercially reasonable efforts to make its website and digital Services reasonably accessible to individuals with disabilities. We use reasonable efforts to provide users with access to information, internship-preparation resources, forms, communications, and support features in a manner consistent with applicable federal accessibility requirements and recognized digital-accessibility practices.
II. Accessibility standard
Our aspirational goal is to work toward substantial conformance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines WCAG 2.2 Level AA, subject to the limitations of third-party content, legacy materials, user-generated content, technical constraints, and ongoing remediation.
III. Accessibility measures
We endeavor to support accessibility through measures that may include:
A. periodic review of website pages, forms, navigation, images, headings, color contrast, keyboard access, focus order, labels, and error messages;
B. use of alternative text or text alternatives where appropriate;
C. efforts to make forms and account features usable with assistive technologies;
D. review of new website content and material design changes for accessibility considerations;
E. escalation and remediation procedures for reported accessibility barriers;
F. vendor and developer instructions requiring reasonable accessibility support for website changes.
IV. Third-party content and tools
Some portions of the Services may rely on third-party tools, embedded content, payment systems, analytics, scheduling tools, document viewers, maps, videos, social features, or employer-controlled materials. We do not control all third-party content, but we encourage vendors and partners to support accessibility and will evaluate reported barriers within our reasonable control.
V. Alternative access
If you experience difficulty accessing any part of the website or Services, we will make reasonable efforts to provide the information, function, or service through an alternative method where feasible.
VI. How to report an accessibility issue
Accessibility requests or reports may be directed to:
Defense Interns Support
Email: support@defenseinterns.com
VII. Information to include
To help us respond, please provide:
A. your name and preferred contact method;
B. the page, feature, document, or function involved;
C. the nature of the accessibility barrier;
D. the assistive technology, browser, device, or operating system used, if relevant;
E. the alternative format or assistance requested.
VIII. Response process
We will use reasonable efforts to acknowledge accessibility inquiries within five (5) business days and to evaluate and address reported barriers within thirty (30) business days, depending on the nature of the issue, available information, technical feasibility, vendor involvement, and legal or security constraints.
IX. No waiver
This Accessibility Notice reflects our reasonable-efforts commitment only, does not constitute an admission that any particular federal or Maryland accessibility law applies to the Services, and does not create any admission of legal coverage, contractual right, warranty, or guarantee under Maryland or federal law that every feature, document, third-party tool, or item of content will be accessible at all times. We reserve the right to modify the website and Services while continuing to make reasonable accessibility efforts.
X. Ongoing review
This Accessibility Notice was last updated on 9/15/2026. We may revise it as our Services, technology, standards, or accessibility practices evolve. If any provision of this Accessibility Notice is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect, and any updated version of this Notice will be effective when posted or as otherwise stated.
Questions about this page? support@defenseinterns.com