COTIS exists because some kids need a different kind of support — quieter, more patient, more predictable than the world usually offers. Accessibility isn't a feature we bolted on at the end. It's the reason the product exists.
This page explains what we have built so far, where we still have work to do, and how to tell us when something isn't working for your family.
Our commitment
We aim to meet or exceed the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 Level AA across cotis.ai, the COTIS companion app, and the device interface itself. Beyond compliance, we test with the people we serve — neurodivergent kids and their caregivers — and we change what we build when their feedback tells us to.
What we've built in
The device
- Three buttons, three jobs. Ask, Translate, Calm. No menus. No screens to navigate. No surprises.
- Tactile differentiation. Each button has a distinct shape and texture so a child can identify it without looking.
- Predictable timing. The same input produces the same kind of response within the same range of time. We avoid surprises and "loading" silences.
- Adjustable voice speed and volume from the companion app.
- Sensory-friendly materials. Soft-touch housing, no sharp edges, hypoallergenic strap options.
- No flashing lights. All status indicators use slow, smooth transitions — no strobes, no rapid blinking.
- Quiet mode. The device can respond with haptic-only feedback when audio would be overwhelming.
The website (cotis.ai)
- Keyboard navigable; visible focus states on every interactive element
- Semantic HTML structure with proper heading order
- Color contrast that meets WCAG AA on all body text
- Alt text on meaningful images; decorative images marked as such
- Captions on all video content
- The Atkinson Hyperlegible typeface, designed specifically to improve character recognition for low-vision readers
- Respect for the prefers-reduced-motion setting; animations turn off automatically
- Form fields with persistent labels (not placeholder-only)
The companion app
- Full screen-reader support (VoiceOver on iOS, TalkBack on Android)
- Dynamic Type / large-text support
- Sufficient touch target size (at least 44×44 points)
- Reduced-motion mode
- High-contrast mode
- The ability to set up COTIS without ever using a touchscreen, via voice setup
Where we still have work to do
We are honest about where we aren't there yet:
- Sign-language video content for ASL-using families is in development; not all marketing video has it today.
- Companion-app support for Braille displays is on the roadmap but not yet released.
- Our checkout flow is being audited end-to-end for screen-reader edge cases; we expect updates by the next release.
Standards we follow
- WCAG 2.2 Level AA for web and app interfaces
- Section 508 when working with U.S. schools and public agencies
- The European Accessibility Act for our EU work as we expand
- ADA Title III for our U.S. customer-facing services
How to report a barrier
If you or your child run into something that doesn't work — a button you can't reach with a screen reader, a sound that's too sharp, a flow that demands too much attention — please tell us. We treat accessibility reports as bug reports, not complaints.
Email hello@cotis.ai with the subject line "Accessibility." Tell us what you were trying to do, what happened, and what device or assistive technology you were using. We will respond within five business days with a status update and a plan.
For schools, IEP teams, and clinicians
If you need a VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) for procurement, or you want to discuss specific accommodations for a student or client, email hello@cotis.ai with the subject line "Accessibility — Professional Use." We will send the current VPAT and connect you with our accessibility lead.
How we test
Internal: automated accessibility scans run on every release; manual keyboard-only and screen-reader testing before each major change.
External: paid user research sessions with neurodivergent kids and their caregivers; quarterly audits by an independent accessibility consultancy.
This is a living document. We update it whenever the product changes.