Leading the Shift from Sick Care to Well Care : How Shaklee Is Redefining Health
In conversation with TIME CEO Jessica Sibley, Roger Barnett, Chairman and CEO of Shaklee, discussed the state of health in the United States and what inspired him to lead a company whose mission was to change people’s health outcomes and help them live better, longer.
At the heart of Shaklee’s mission is the idea of healthspan—not just adding years to life, but adding life to years. “Our focus is on well care, not sick care,” Barnett explained. With chronic conditions rising and healthcare spending at an all-time high, the need for prevention is urgent.
“I've always wanted to make an impact,” the CEO told Sibley. “My mother dedicated six decades to helping underserved families live better lives, and that deeply influenced me.” Barnett saw healthcare as the greatest opportunity to make a wide-reaching difference—empowering people not just to treat illness, but to prevent it altogether.
The good news is that Barnett–and the science–says it’s possible. “Only about 20% of our health is determined by genetics. The rest is influenced by our lifestyle choices,” he noted. Through clinically proven products, decades of research, and education through community, Shaklee aims to support those choices and improve long-term health outcomes.
And the results are there. He cited the Landmark Health Studies, which Shaklee funded in collaboration with researchers from the University of California, Berkeley and Tufts University, which found that long-term users of Shaklee products—spanning 20 to 40 years—had significantly better blood nutrient levels, improved markers of longevity like reduced inflammation and stress, and much lower disease risk. Some users showed up to 97% less reliance on prescription medications compared to those using other supplement brands.
For Barnett, that data represents more than just scientific success—it’s a path to real, lasting change. “Helping people feel better about themselves and their health is the most rewarding thing I can do,” he said. “And it’s what keeps me going every day.”
2. Addressing Key Biomarkers of Longevity and Health:
Shaklee's "Landmark Study" (and follow-up studies) are frequently cited by the company to demonstrate benefits for various health markers. These studies compare long-term Shaklee supplement users to non-supplement users and single-multivitamin users. They report findings such as: (https://chiro.org/nutrition/ABSTRACTS/Shaklee_Studies.shtml)
Improved Cardiovascular Health: Lower triglycerides, lower homocysteine, lower C-reactive protein (an inflammation marker), and improved cholesterol ratios (higher HDL, lower LDL). These are all crucial for heart health and preventing age-related cardiovascular diseases.
Enhanced Nutrient Levels: Higher blood levels of essential vitamins (A, C, E, D, folate) and minerals (iron). Addressing nutritional gaps is fundamental for overall health and healthy aging. (https://shaklee.dynamicfamilyglobal.com/the-landmark-study/)
Reduced Inflammatory Response: Clinical studies on Vivix's key ingredients suggest they can blunt the inflammatory response to high-fat, high-carbohydrate meals, which can contribute to cellular aging. ( https://sdfg.my/shop/)
3. Specific Product Categories for Healthspan:
Beyond Vivix, Shaklee offers various product lines that contribute to different aspects of healthspan:
Foundation Nutrition: Multivitamins (like Vita-Lize), Omega-3 fatty acids, and calcium with vitamin D are considered foundational for overall health, filling nutritional gaps that can emerge with age or dietary choices.
Joint Health: Products like Advanced Joint Health Complex/Pain Relief Caplet aim to improve joint comfort, which is vital for maintaining mobility and an active lifestyle into older age.
Brain Health: MindWorks is promoted for enhancing mental sharpness and supporting long-term brain health, addressing cognitive decline often associated with aging.
Immune Support: NutriFeron and other immune-boosting supplements are designed to support a robust immune system, which naturally weakens with age, making individuals more susceptible to illness.
Addressing key biomarkers: For cardiovascular health, blood sugar, and inflammation.
Providing comprehensive nutrition: To fill gaps and support various bodily systems crucial for maintaining function and vitality throughout life.
It's important for consumers to research and consult with healthcare professionals to determine if these products are suitable for their individual needs and health goals.
Shifting from "Sick Care" to "Well Care"
The shift from "sick care" to "well care" represents a fundamental paradigm change in healthcare, moving from a reactive model (treating illness after it occurs) to a proactive one (preventing illness and promoting overall well-being).1 This shift offers numerous benefits for individuals, healthcare systems, and society as a whole.2
Benefits of "Leading the Shift from Sick Care to Well Care" :
For Individuals :
Improved Health Outcomes and Quality of Life: Focus on prevention, early detection, and healthy lifestyle choices leads to fewer chronic diseases, better management of existing conditions, and a longer "healthspan" (years lived in good health).
Empowerment and Agency: Individuals become active participants in managing their own health, rather than passive recipients of care. This includes access to information, tools, and support for healthy behaviors.
Reduced Stress and Anxiety: Proactive care can alleviate the stress associated with acute illnesses and the financial burden of managing chronic conditions.
Personalized Care: Technology and data allow for more tailored interventions based on individual risk factors, genetics, and lifestyle.
For Healthcare Systems and Providers :
Reduced Healthcare Costs: Prevention is often more cost-effective than treatment, especially for chronic diseases. By reducing the incidence of preventable conditions and managing existing ones more effectively, healthcare spending can decrease significantly.
Increased Efficiency and Capacity: Less demand for acute care frees up resources (beds, staff, equipment) for those who truly need them.
Better Patient-Provider Relationships: A focus on well-being can foster stronger, more collaborative relationships between patients and their healthcare teams.
Data-Driven Insights: Wearables, connected sensors, and AI can provide continuous data, allowing for better monitoring, early warning signs, and predictive analytics.
Resilience: A "well care" system is more resilient to crises, as it focuses on building overall population health.
For Employers and Society :
Increased Productivity: Healthier employees are more productive, have lower absenteeism, and contribute more effectively to the workforce.
Lower Insurance Premiums: For employers, healthier workforces can lead to reduced healthcare claims and lower insurance costs.
Economic Growth: A healthier population contributes to a more robust economy.
Health Equity: Addressing social determinants of health and providing culturally sensitive care can help reduce health disparities.
Health-Related Companies Leading the Shift :
Many companies are recognizing and embracing this shift, often leveraging technology and innovative models of care. Here are some examples of the types of companies and approaches:
Telehealth and Virtual Care Platforms: Companies like Doctor on Demand, Teladoc Health, Amwell, and many others provide remote consultations, monitoring, and virtual support, making care more accessible and enabling proactive check-ups and health management.
Wearable Technology and Health Tracking: Companies such as Apple (Apple Watch), Fitbit (Google), Garmin, and various smart sensor manufacturers are empowering individuals to track their own health data, from activity levels and sleep to heart rate and blood oxygen, which can be used for preventive insights.
Personalized Wellness and Nutrition: Companies focusing on personalized nutrition, fitness, and mental well-being apps (e.g., Shaklee, Calm, Headspace, various fitness apps like Peloton) are promoting proactive health behaviors.
Preventive Screening and Diagnostic Companies: Companies like Prenuvo offer whole-body MRI scans for early detection of potential issues, even before symptoms appear.
AI and Data Analytics in Healthcare: Companies that develop AI platforms to analyze health data for predictive risk assessment, personalized treatment plans, and early intervention are crucial. Tulu Health is an example of a healthtech startup using AI agents for continuous care.
Corporate Wellness Program Providers: Many companies specialize in designing and implementing corporate wellness programs that focus on employee health, stress reduction, and healthy lifestyle choices, aiming to reduce sick days and healthcare costs for businesses.
Healthcare Systems and Payers Embracing Value-Based Care: Traditional healthcare providers and insurance companies are increasingly moving towards value-based care models, where they are incentivized to keep patients healthy rather than just treating them when they are sick. This often involves investing in preventive services, care coordination, and population health management.
Companies Addressing Social Determinants of Health: Some organizations are focusing on connecting patients with community resources for basic needs like housing and food, recognizing that these factors are critical for overall well-being.
The shift is a complex undertaking, requiring collaboration across various stakeholders, but the benefits in terms of improved health, reduced costs, and a more resilient society are substantial.
Shifting from a "sick care" model to a "well care" model has a profound and positive impact on our healthspan.
Sick Care (Reactive): This is the traditional healthcare model. It focuses on diagnosing and treating illnesses after they've already manifested. It's about damage control and managing symptoms.
Well Care (Proactive/Preventive): This approach prioritizes maintaining and improving overall well-being and preventing illness from occurring in the first place. It emphasizes early detection, lifestyle interventions, and health promotion throughout the lifespan.
What's the Difference?
How Well Care Improves Healthspan :
Healthspan refers to the number of years lived in good health, free from chronic diseases and disabilities. Shifting to well care directly addresses this by :
Preventing Chronic Diseases :
Many chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers are largely preventable through lifestyle choices. Well care emphasizes:
Healthy Nutrition : Promoting balanced diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, and limiting processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats.
Regular Physical Activity : Encouraging consistent exercise, including cardiovascular and strength training, to maintain mobility, muscle mass, and cardiovascular health.
Adequate Sleep : Highlighting the importance of 7-9 hours of quality sleep for physical and mental restoration.
Stress Management : Teaching techniques like mindfulness, meditation, and fostering social connections to reduce the negative impact of stress on the body
Avoiding Harmful Habits : Discouraging smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and recreational drug use.
Thoughtsmanship, or a positive mindset : Having the right thoughts can significantly contribute to healthspan. Cultivating a positive outlook, practicing gratitude, and engaging in meaningful activities can improve resilience, enhance immune function, and reduce the risk of mental health disorders, all of which are linked to a longer, healthier life.
Here's how Thoughtsmanship can positively impact healthspan:
Improved Resilience : A positive mindset helps individuals bounce back from challenges and setbacks, which are inevitable in life.
Enhanced Immune Function : Studies suggest that optimistic individuals may have stronger immune systems, potentially leading to better overall health and disease resistance.
Reduced Risk of Mental Health Disorders : A positive outlook and proactive approach to mental well-being can lower the risk of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues, which can negatively impact healthspan.
Motivation for Healthy Behaviors : Thoughtsmanship can empower individuals to adopt and maintain healthy habits, such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep, which are crucial for healthspan.
Stronger Social Connections : A positive mindset can foster stronger social connections and support networks, which are vital for mental and physical well-being.
By actively cultivating a positive mindset and engaging in practices that promote well-being, individuals can harness the power of thought to extend their healthspan and enjoy a longer, healthier life.
Early Detection and Intervention :
Regular Check-ups and Screenings: Well care promotes routine medical check-ups, vaccinations, and screenings (e.g., for cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes) to identify potential health issues early, often before symptoms appear. This allows for timely intervention and more effective treatment, preventing conditions from becoming severe and debilitating.
Maintaining Physical and Cognitive Function :
Preserving Mobility: Through exercise and addressing musculoskeletal issues proactively, well care helps individuals maintain physical independence as they age, reducing the risk of falls and frailty.
Cognitive Health: Encouraging mental stimulation, social engagement, and addressing factors that contribute to cognitive decline can help maintain mental sharpness and reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
Reducing Morbidity and Disability :
By actively preventing and managing health issues, well care aims to "compress morbidity," meaning it reduces the period of time spent in poor health or with disabilities at the end of life. This allows for more years of vitality, independence, and active participation in life.
Empowering Individuals :
Well care empowers individuals to take a more active role in their own health. Through health education and access to information, people can make informed choices about their lifestyle and seek preventive care, fostering a sense of control over their well-being. (e.g. Dynamic Family Global)
Economic Benefits (Societal Level) :
While individual health is paramount, a population-wide shift to well care can also significantly reduce healthcare costs by preventing the need for expensive treatments, hospitalizations, and long-term care associated with chronic diseases.
In essence, shifting from sick care to well care is about moving beyond simply extending lifespan (how long you live) to maximizing healthspan (how well you live those years). It's about adding not just years to life, but quality to those years, allowing individuals to live more fulfilling, active, and independent lives for a longer duration.
Leading the Shift from Sick Care to Well Care : How Shaklee Is Redefining Health
In conversation with TIME CEO Jessica Sibley, Roger Barnett, Chairman and CEO of Shaklee, discussed the state of health in the United States and what inspired him to lead a company whose mission was to change people’s health outcomes and help them live better, longer.
At the heart of Shaklee’s mission is the idea of healthspan—not just adding years to life, but adding life to years. “Our focus is on well care, not sick care,” Barnett explained. With chronic conditions rising and healthcare spending at an all-time high, the need for prevention is urgent.
“I’ve always wanted to make an impact,” the CEO told Sibley. “My mother dedicated six decades to helping underserved families live better lives, and that deeply influenced me.” Barnett saw healthcare as the greatest opportunity to make a wide-reaching difference—empowering people not just to treat illness, but to prevent it altogether.
The good news is that Barnett–and the science–says it’s possible. “Only about 20% of our health is determined by genetics. The rest is influenced by our lifestyle choices,” he noted. Through clinically proven products, decades of research, and education through community, Shaklee aims to support those choices and improve long-term health outcomes.
And the results are there. He cited the Landmark Health Studies, which Shaklee funded in collaboration with researchers from the University of California, Berkeley and Tufts University, which found that long-term users of Shaklee products—spanning 20 to 40 years—had significantly better blood nutrient levels, improved markers of longevity like reduced inflammation and stress, and much lower disease risk. Some users showed up to 97% less reliance on prescription medications compared to those using other supplement brands.
For Barnett, that data represents more than just scientific success—it’s a path to real, lasting change. “Helping people feel better about themselves and their health is the most rewarding thing I can do,” he said. “And it’s what keeps me going every day.”
2. Addressing Key Biomarkers of Longevity and Health:
Shaklee’s “Landmark Study” (and follow-up studies) are frequently cited by the company to demonstrate benefits for various health markers. These studies compare long-term Shaklee supplement users to non-supplement users and single-multivitamin users. They report findings such as: (https://chiro.org/nutrition/ABSTRACTS/Shaklee_Studies.shtml)
Improved Cardiovascular Health: Lower triglycerides, lower homocysteine, lower C-reactive protein (an inflammation marker), and improved cholesterol ratios (higher HDL, lower LDL). These are all crucial for heart health and preventing age-related cardiovascular diseases.
Enhanced Nutrient Levels: Higher blood levels of essential vitamins (A, C, E, D, folate) and minerals (iron). Addressing nutritional gaps is fundamental for overall health and healthy aging. (https://shaklee.dynamicfamilyglobal.com/the-landmark-study/)
Reduced Inflammatory Response: Clinical studies on Vivix’s key ingredients suggest they can blunt the inflammatory response to high-fat, high-carbohydrate meals, which can contribute to cellular aging. ( https://sdfg.my/shop/)
3. Specific Product Categories for Healthspan:
Beyond Vivix, Shaklee offers various product lines that contribute to different aspects of healthspan:
Foundation Nutrition: Multivitamins (like Vita-Lize), Omega-3 fatty acids, and calcium with vitamin D are considered foundational for overall health, filling nutritional gaps that can emerge with age or dietary choices.
Joint Health: Products like Advanced Joint Health Complex/Pain Relief Caplet aim to improve joint comfort, which is vital for maintaining mobility and an active lifestyle into older age.
Brain Health: MindWorks is promoted for enhancing mental sharpness and supporting long-term brain health, addressing cognitive decline often associated with aging.
Immune Support: NutriFeron and other immune-boosting supplements are designed to support a robust immune system, which naturally weakens with age, making individuals more susceptible to illness.
Addressing key biomarkers: For cardiovascular health, blood sugar, and inflammation.
Providing comprehensive nutrition: To fill gaps and support various bodily systems crucial for maintaining function and vitality throughout life.
It’s important for consumers to research and consult with healthcare professionals to determine if these products are suitable for their individual needs and health goals.
Shifting from “Sick Care” to “Well Care”
The shift from “sick care” to “well care” represents a fundamental paradigm change in healthcare, moving from a reactive model (treating illness after it occurs) to a proactive one (preventing illness and promoting overall well-being).1 This shift offers numerous benefits for individuals, healthcare systems, and society as a whole.2
Benefits of “Leading the Shift from Sick Care to Well Care” :
For Individuals :
Improved Health Outcomes and Quality of Life: Focus on prevention, early detection, and healthy lifestyle choices leads to fewer chronic diseases, better management of existing conditions, and a longer “healthspan” (years lived in good health).
Empowerment and Agency: Individuals become active participants in managing their own health, rather than passive recipients of care. This includes access to information, tools, and support for healthy behaviors.
Reduced Stress and Anxiety: Proactive care can alleviate the stress associated with acute illnesses and the financial burden of managing chronic conditions.
Personalized Care: Technology and data allow for more tailored interventions based on individual risk factors, genetics, and lifestyle.
For Healthcare Systems and Providers :
Reduced Healthcare Costs: Prevention is often more cost-effective than treatment, especially for chronic diseases. By reducing the incidence of preventable conditions and managing existing ones more effectively, healthcare spending can decrease significantly.
Increased Efficiency and Capacity: Less demand for acute care frees up resources (beds, staff, equipment) for those who truly need them.
Better Patient-Provider Relationships: A focus on well-being can foster stronger, more collaborative relationships between patients and their healthcare teams.
Data-Driven Insights: Wearables, connected sensors, and AI can provide continuous data, allowing for better monitoring, early warning signs, and predictive analytics.
Resilience: A “well care” system is more resilient to crises, as it focuses on building overall population health.
For Employers and Society :
Increased Productivity: Healthier employees are more productive, have lower absenteeism, and contribute more effectively to the workforce.
Lower Insurance Premiums: For employers, healthier workforces can lead to reduced healthcare claims and lower insurance costs.
Economic Growth: A healthier population contributes to a more robust economy.
Health Equity: Addressing social determinants of health and providing culturally sensitive care can help reduce health disparities.
Health-Related Companies Leading the Shift :
Many companies are recognizing and embracing this shift, often leveraging technology and innovative models of care. Here are some examples of the types of companies and approaches:
Telehealth and Virtual Care Platforms: Companies like Doctor on Demand, Teladoc Health, Amwell, and many others provide remote consultations, monitoring, and virtual support, making care more accessible and enabling proactive check-ups and health management.
Wearable Technology and Health Tracking: Companies such as Apple (Apple Watch), Fitbit (Google), Garmin, and various smart sensor manufacturers are empowering individuals to track their own health data, from activity levels and sleep to heart rate and blood oxygen, which can be used for preventive insights.
Personalized Wellness and Nutrition: Companies focusing on personalized nutrition, fitness, and mental well-being apps (e.g., Shaklee, Calm, Headspace, various fitness apps like Peloton) are promoting proactive health behaviors.
Preventive Screening and Diagnostic Companies: Companies like Prenuvo offer whole-body MRI scans for early detection of potential issues, even before symptoms appear.
AI and Data Analytics in Healthcare: Companies that develop AI platforms to analyze health data for predictive risk assessment, personalized treatment plans, and early intervention are crucial. Tulu Health is an example of a healthtech startup using AI agents for continuous care.
Corporate Wellness Program Providers: Many companies specialize in designing and implementing corporate wellness programs that focus on employee health, stress reduction, and healthy lifestyle choices, aiming to reduce sick days and healthcare costs for businesses.
Healthcare Systems and Payers Embracing Value-Based Care: Traditional healthcare providers and insurance companies are increasingly moving towards value-based care models, where they are incentivized to keep patients healthy rather than just treating them when they are sick. This often involves investing in preventive services, care coordination, and population health management.
Companies Addressing Social Determinants of Health: Some organizations are focusing on connecting patients with community resources for basic needs like housing and food, recognizing that these factors are critical for overall well-being.
The shift is a complex undertaking, requiring collaboration across various stakeholders, but the benefits in terms of improved health, reduced costs, and a more resilient society are substantial.
Shifting from a “sick care” model to a “well care” model has a profound and positive impact on our healthspan.
Sick Care (Reactive): This is the traditional healthcare model. It focuses on diagnosing and treating illnesses after they’ve already manifested. It’s about damage control and managing symptoms.
Well Care (Proactive/Preventive): This approach prioritizes maintaining and improving overall well-being and preventing illness from occurring in the first place. It emphasizes early detection, lifestyle interventions, and health promotion throughout the lifespan.
What’s the Difference?
How Well Care Improves Healthspan :
Healthspan refers to the number of years lived in good health, free from chronic diseases and disabilities. Shifting to well care directly addresses this by :
Preventing Chronic Diseases :
Many chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers are largely preventable through lifestyle choices. Well care emphasizes:
Healthy Nutrition : Promoting balanced diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, and limiting processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats.
Regular Physical Activity : Encouraging consistent exercise, including cardiovascular and strength training, to maintain mobility, muscle mass, and cardiovascular health.
Adequate Sleep : Highlighting the importance of 7-9 hours of quality sleep for physical and mental restoration.
Stress Management : Teaching techniques like mindfulness, meditation, and fostering social connections to reduce the negative impact of stress on the body
Avoiding Harmful Habits : Discouraging smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and recreational drug use.
Thoughtsmanship, or a positive mindset : Having the right thoughts can significantly contribute to healthspan. Cultivating a positive outlook, practicing gratitude, and engaging in meaningful activities can improve resilience, enhance immune function, and reduce the risk of mental health disorders, all of which are linked to a longer, healthier life.
Here’s how Thoughtsmanship can positively impact healthspan:
Improved Resilience : A positive mindset helps individuals bounce back from challenges and setbacks, which are inevitable in life.
Enhanced Immune Function : Studies suggest that optimistic individuals may have stronger immune systems, potentially leading to better overall health and disease resistance.
Reduced Risk of Mental Health Disorders : A positive outlook and proactive approach to mental well-being can lower the risk of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues, which can negatively impact healthspan.
Motivation for Healthy Behaviors : Thoughtsmanship can empower individuals to adopt and maintain healthy habits, such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep, which are crucial for healthspan.
Stronger Social Connections : A positive mindset can foster stronger social connections and support networks, which are vital for mental and physical well-being.
By actively cultivating a positive mindset and engaging in practices that promote well-being, individuals can harness the power of thought to extend their healthspan and enjoy a longer, healthier life.
Early Detection and Intervention :
Regular Check-ups and Screenings: Well care promotes routine medical check-ups, vaccinations, and screenings (e.g., for cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes) to identify potential health issues early, often before symptoms appear. This allows for timely intervention and more effective treatment, preventing conditions from becoming severe and debilitating.
Maintaining Physical and Cognitive Function :
Preserving Mobility: Through exercise and addressing musculoskeletal issues proactively, well care helps individuals maintain physical independence as they age, reducing the risk of falls and frailty.
Cognitive Health: Encouraging mental stimulation, social engagement, and addressing factors that contribute to cognitive decline can help maintain mental sharpness and reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
Reducing Morbidity and Disability :
By actively preventing and managing health issues, well care aims to “compress morbidity,” meaning it reduces the period of time spent in poor health or with disabilities at the end of life. This allows for more years of vitality, independence, and active participation in life.
Empowering Individuals :
Well care empowers individuals to take a more active role in their own health. Through health education and access to information, people can make informed choices about their lifestyle and seek preventive care, fostering a sense of control over their well-being. (e.g. Dynamic Family Global)
Economic Benefits (Societal Level) :
While individual health is paramount, a population-wide shift to well care can also significantly reduce healthcare costs by preventing the need for expensive treatments, hospitalizations, and long-term care associated with chronic diseases.
In essence, shifting from sick care to well care is about moving beyond simply extending lifespan (how long you live) to maximizing healthspan (how well you live those years). It’s about adding not just years to life, but quality to those years, allowing individuals to live more fulfilling, active, and independent lives for a longer duration.
We firmly believe that the internet should be available and accessible to anyone, and are committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience,
regardless of circumstance and ability.
To fulfill this, we aim to adhere as strictly as possible to the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG 2.1) at the AA level.
These guidelines explain how to make web content accessible to people with a wide array of disabilities. Complying with those guidelines helps us ensure that the website is accessible
to all people: blind people, people with motor impairments, visual impairment, cognitive disabilities, and more.
This website utilizes various technologies that are meant to make it as accessible as possible at all times. We utilize an accessibility interface that allows persons with specific
disabilities to adjust the website’s UI (user interface) and design it to their personal needs.
Additionally, the website utilizes an AI-based application that runs in the background and optimizes its accessibility level constantly. This application remediates the website’s HTML,
adapts Its functionality and behavior for screen-readers used by the blind users, and for keyboard functions used by individuals with motor impairments.
If you’ve found a malfunction or have ideas for improvement, we’ll be happy to hear from you. You can reach out to the website’s operators by using the following email
Screen-reader and keyboard navigation
Our website implements the ARIA attributes (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) technique, alongside various different behavioral changes, to ensure blind users visiting with
screen-readers are able to read, comprehend, and enjoy the website’s functions. As soon as a user with a screen-reader enters your site, they immediately receive
a prompt to enter the Screen-Reader Profile so they can browse and operate your site effectively. Here’s how our website covers some of the most important screen-reader requirements,
alongside console screenshots of code examples:
Screen-reader optimization: we run a background process that learns the website’s components from top to bottom, to ensure ongoing compliance even when updating the website.
In this process, we provide screen-readers with meaningful data using the ARIA set of attributes. For example, we provide accurate form labels;
descriptions for actionable icons (social media icons, search icons, cart icons, etc.); validation guidance for form inputs; element roles such as buttons, menus, modal dialogues (popups),
and others. Additionally, the background process scans all of the website’s images and provides an accurate and meaningful image-object-recognition-based description as an ALT (alternate text) tag
for images that are not described. It will also extract texts that are embedded within the image, using an OCR (optical character recognition) technology.
To turn on screen-reader adjustments at any time, users need only to press the Alt+1 keyboard combination. Screen-reader users also get automatic announcements to turn the Screen-reader mode on
as soon as they enter the website.
These adjustments are compatible with all popular screen readers, including JAWS and NVDA.
Keyboard navigation optimization: The background process also adjusts the website’s HTML, and adds various behaviors using JavaScript code to make the website operable by the keyboard. This includes the ability to navigate the website using the Tab and Shift+Tab keys, operate dropdowns with the arrow keys, close them with Esc, trigger buttons and links using the Enter key, navigate between radio and checkbox elements using the arrow keys, and fill them in with the Spacebar or Enter key.Additionally, keyboard users will find quick-navigation and content-skip menus, available at any time by clicking Alt+1, or as the first elements of the site while navigating with the keyboard. The background process also handles triggered popups by moving the keyboard focus towards them as soon as they appear, and not allow the focus drift outside of it.
Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Disability profiles supported in our website
Epilepsy Safe Mode: this profile enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
Visually Impaired Mode: this mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
Cognitive Disability Mode: this mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
ADHD Friendly Mode: this mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
Blindness Mode: this mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
Keyboard Navigation Profile (Motor-Impaired): this profile enables motor-impaired persons to operate the website using the keyboard Tab, Shift+Tab, and the Enter keys. Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Additional UI, design, and readability adjustments
Font adjustments – users, can increase and decrease its size, change its family (type), adjust the spacing, alignment, line height, and more.
Color adjustments – users can select various color contrast profiles such as light, dark, inverted, and monochrome. Additionally, users can swap color schemes of titles, texts, and backgrounds, with over 7 different coloring options.
Animations – epileptic users can stop all running animations with the click of a button. Animations controlled by the interface include videos, GIFs, and CSS flashing transitions.
Content highlighting – users can choose to emphasize important elements such as links and titles. They can also choose to highlight focused or hovered elements only.
Audio muting – users with hearing devices may experience headaches or other issues due to automatic audio playing. This option lets users mute the entire website instantly.
Cognitive disorders – we utilize a search engine that is linked to Wikipedia and Wiktionary, allowing people with cognitive disorders to decipher meanings of phrases, initials, slang, and others.
Additional functions – we provide users the option to change cursor color and size, use a printing mode, enable a virtual keyboard, and many other functions.
Browser and assistive technology compatibility
We aim to support the widest array of browsers and assistive technologies as possible, so our users can choose the best fitting tools for them, with as few limitations as possible. Therefore, we have worked very hard to be able to support all major systems that comprise over 95% of the user market share including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera and Microsoft Edge, JAWS and NVDA (screen readers), both for Windows and for MAC users.
Notes, comments, and feedback
Despite our very best efforts to allow anybody to adjust the website to their needs, there may still be pages or sections that are not fully accessible, are in the process of becoming accessible, or are lacking an adequate technological solution to make them accessible. Still, we are continually improving our accessibility, adding, updating and improving its options and features, and developing and adopting new technologies. All this is meant to reach the optimal level of accessibility, following technological advancements. For any assistance, please reach out to
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