Effective from: 1^st May 2026

Our Commitment to Accessibility

Alvarez Psychological Services is committed to ensuring that our website and clinical services are accessible to everyone, regardless of disability or assistive technology. Dr. Mary Alvarez believes that psychological care and information about mental health should be available to all individuals, including those with visual, auditory, motor, cognitive, or neurological disabilities.

We strive to provide an inclusive experience for:

• Individuals who use screen readers or other assistive technologies
• People with mobility impairments who rely on keyboard navigation.
• Individuals with low vision who need high contrast or resizable text.
• People with cognitive or learning disabilities who benefit from clear, uncomplicated design.
• Older adults who may have age-related accessibility needs

This Accessibility Statement describes our ongoing efforts to comply with applicable laws and standards, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title III, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA, and Texas state disability laws.

Conformance Status and Standards

The website of Alvarez Psychological Services (www.drmaryalvarez.com – placeholder) is designed to conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA, which is the internationally recognized standard for web accessibility. WCAG 2.1 AA requires that websites be:

• Perceivable – Information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive (e.g., text alternatives for non-text content, captions for audio, adaptable content, sufficient contrast).
• Operable – User interface components and navigation must be operable by all users (e.g., keyboard accessible, enough time to read, no seizure-inducing flashes, clear navigation).
• Understandable – Information and operation must be understandable (e.g., readable text, predictable behavior, input assistance).
• Robust – Content must be robust enough to be interpreted reliably by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies.

Current Compliance Level

We believe that our website substantially conforms with WCAG 2.1 Level AA. However, accessibility is an ongoing process, and we continue to monitor and improve our site. We have implemented the following accessibility features:

• Alternative text for all meaningful images and graphics.
• Proper heading structure (H1, H2, etc.) to allow screen reader navigation.
• Sufficient color contrast between text and background (minimum 4.5:1 for normal text).
• Keyboard-navigable menus and interactive elements (no mouse required).
• No automatic media – Our website does not autoplay video or audio and has no flashing or strobing content.
• Resizable text – You can zoom the browser up to 200% without loss of content or functionality.
• Clear and consistent navigation – All pages share the same layout and labeling.
• Descriptive link text – Links explain where they go (e.g., “Read our Privacy Policy” instead of “click here”).
• Forms with labels – Any contact form has properly associated labels and error messages.
  
  

Areas for Improvement

We acknowledge that no website is always 100% accessible to all users. Currently, the following known limitations exist:

• Older published research PDFs – Some of Dr. Alvarez’s academic publications (e.g., Alvarez & Barrientos, 1987; Alvarez & Naus, 1991) are available on request in PDF format. Older PDFs may not be fully screen-reader accessible. We will provide alternative formats upon request.
• Third-party linked content – When you click a link to an external website (e.g., the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council, the American Psychological Association), we cannot control the accessibility of those sites. We encourage those organizations to maintain their own accessibility standards.
• No live chat or video captioning – We do not currently offer live chat support. For in-person sessions, we provide accommodation as requested (e.g., sign language interpreter, written materials in large print). Telehealth is not currently offered; if added, we will ensure captioning capabilities.

We are actively working to remediate the PDF issue by providing accessible HTML versions of Dr. Alvarez’s publications where possible.

Accessibility Features of Our Physical Office

In addition to our website, Alvarez Psychological Services is committed to physical accessibility at our office located in northwest Austin, Texas.

Our office features:

• Ground-floor entry with no steps (ramp available if needed – please contact in advance)
• Wide doorways to accommodate wheelchairs and mobility devices.
• Accessible parking (if applicable – confirm with building management)
• Adjustable lighting for individuals with light sensitivity or visual impairments
• Quiet waiting area with reduced sensory stimulation (no loud music, minimal clutter)
• Service animals welcome – We comply with ADA rules regarding service animals. Emotional support animals are not permitted in the therapy space unless prior arrangement is made.

If you require any specific accommodation for an in-person appointment (e.g., sign language interpreter, large-print forms, assistive listening device, extended session time, or a support person), please contact us at least 7 days before your appointment. We will make every reasonable effort to accommodate your needs.

Requesting Accommodations and Reporting Barriers

We welcome your feedback. If you experience any difficulty accessing our website, any page, or any of our physical services, please contact us. Your input helps us improve.

How to Request an Alternative Format

If you need any content from our website in an alternative format (e.g., plain text, large print, braille, audio recording, or accessible PDF), please contact us with the following information:

• Your name and preferred contact method
• The specific page or document you need.
• The format you require.

We will respond within five business days and provide the alternative format within ten business days whenever possible. There is no charge for alternative formats for clients or prospective clients.

How to Report an Accessibility Barrier

If you find any part of our website or office that is not accessible, please let us know. Please provide:

• The webpage URL or physical location where the barrier occurred.
• A description of the issue (e.g., “screen reader could not read the contact form button” or “keyboard navigation skipped the main menu”)
• Your assistive technology (if relevant), such as screen reader name and version.
• Any suggestions for improvement

We will acknowledge your report within three business days and provide a plan for remediation within ten business days. We will keep you informed of our progress.

Contact Information for Accessibility Requests

Email: 

Phone: 

For urgent in-person accommodation (e.g., immediate appointment with mobility needs), please call rather than email to ensure a faster response.

Legal Compliance (USA and Texas)

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title III

The ADA prohibits discrimination based on disability in places of public accommodation, which includes the offices of psychologists and their websites. The U.S. Department of Justice has consistently held that websites of public accommodations must be accessible. By adhering to WCAG 2.1 AA, we are meeting the DOJ’s recommended standard.

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act

While Section 508 applies directly to federal agencies, we voluntarily use its technical standards as a benchmark for our website.

Texas Human Resources Code 121.003

Texas law prohibits discrimination in public accommodation based on disability. This includes both physical and digital access. Our practice complies fully with Texas law.

Enforcement and Complaint Process

If you believe that Alvarez Psychological Services has failed to provide reasonable accommodation or has discriminated against you on the basis of disability, you may:

1. Contact us directly using the information in Section 4.3. We will investigate and respond within fifteen business days.
2. File a complaint with the Texas Human Rights Commission (THRC) –
   Website: www.thrc.texas.gov
   Phone: 888-452-4778
   Address: 111 E. 17th St., Ste 600, Austin, TX 78701
3. File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice –
   ADA Information Line: 800-514-0301 (voice) or 800-514-0383 (TTY)
   Website: www.ada.gov
4. File a complaint with the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC) –
   1801 Congress Ave Ste 7.300, Austin, TX 78701 – 800-821-3205

We will not retaliate against anyone for making a good-faith accessibility complaint.

Third-Party Content and Linked Websites

Our website may contain links to external websites, including:

• Professional organizations (APA, TPA, CAPA, Parental Alienation Study Group)
• Government agencies (Texas BHEC, Texas Attorney General, Texas Health, and Human Services)
• Academic journals or research repositories

We do not control the accessibility of these third-party sites. If you encounter accessibility barriers on a linked site, please contact that site’s owner directly. We are happy to provide alternative access to the information we reference (e.g., providing a summary of a linked article) upon request.

We do not embed third-party widgets, videos, or social media feeds that could introduce accessibility barriers.

Ongoing Monitoring and Training

Regular Audits

We conduct an internal accessibility review of our website every 6 months using:

• Automated testing tools (e.g., WAVE, axe, Lighthouse)
• Manual keyboard-only navigation tests
• Screen reader testing (NVDA or VoiceOver)

Any issues found are logged and prioritized for remediation.

Training

Dr. Mary Alvarez has completed training on:

• ADA requirements for healthcare providers
• WCAG 2.1 principles and success criteria
• Communicating with clients who have disabilities.
• Creating accessible documents (e.g., Word, PDF)

We are committed to ongoing education as standards evolve.

Limitations and Exceptions

We strive for full compliance, but there are limited circumstances where complete accessibility may not be immediately achievable:

• Client-generated content – If a client sends us a scanned document or image that is not accessible, we will offer to summarize it verbally or in writing.
• Legacy records – Paper records from before 2010 are not digitized in accessible formats. Upon request, we will convert relevant portions to accessible formats at no charge.
• Emergency situations – In a true emergency (e.g., risk of harm), our priority is safety, not accessibility. We will provide necessary accommodation as soon as practicable.

No exception applies to our website’s public-facing content. We will not publish added content that fails WCAG 2.1 AA.

Changes to This Accessibility Statement

We review and update this Accessibility Statement annually or whenever we make significant changes to our website or office accessibility features.

Any material changes will be posted on this page with a new “Last Updated” date. We will also notify active clients by email if the changes affect their ability to access services.

This statement was last reviewed on 1-May-2026.

Feedback and Continuous Improvement

Accessibility is not a one-time project; it is an ongoing commitment. We welcome your suggestions, criticisms, and praise. If you have an idea for improving accessibility – whether for our website, our office, or our client communications – please share it with us.

We believe that designing accessibility improves the experience for everyone, including individuals without disabilities. A clear, simple, and well-structured website benefits all visitors, especially those under the stress of high-conflict divorce or parenting challenges.

Thank you for helping us make Alvarez Psychological Services a welcoming and inclusive practice for all.