Accessibility Statement

Gardeners Ratcliff Accessibility Commitment

Gardeners Ratcliff is committed to providing a digital experience that is accessible, inclusive and usable for as many people as possible. We aim to ensure that people visiting the Gardeners Ratcliff area can access our online information and services in a way that meets their needs, including disabled people, older people and those using assistive technologies.

Our objective is to work towards full compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, known as WCAG 2.1, at level AA. These guidelines explain how to make web content more accessible to people with a wide range of access needs, including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive impairments. By following these standards, we seek to improve the usability of our website for everyone who wants to find services, facilities and information related to the Gardeners Ratcliff area.

How we support accessibility

The Gardeners Ratcliff website has been designed and developed with accessibility in mind from the outset. We aim to ensure that content is clear, well structured and easy to understand, helping visitors to find information about local gardening services, facilities and community resources in the Ratcliff area in an accessible way.

We use headings, paragraphs and descriptive text to create logical page structures. Where possible, we avoid unnecessary jargon and aim to use plain language to support users who may have cognitive or learning disabilities. We also strive to maintain sufficient contrast between text and background colours and to use readable font sizes so that content can be viewed comfortably across a range of devices.

WCAG 2.1 AA compliance

Our goal is to meet the WCAG 2.1 AA standard across the Gardeners Ratcliff website. This includes providing text alternatives for meaningful images, ensuring that interactive elements are identifiable and operable, and making sure that content is presented in a predictable and consistent way. Where we identify issues that may prevent full compliance, we work to resolve them as quickly as practical.

We are continually reviewing content and features to improve alignment with WCAG 2.1 AA requirements. This may include changes to navigation, form labels, headings, colour contrast, focus indicators and the way information is grouped and presented, so that people in the Gardeners Ratcliff area can more easily access the information they need.

Screen-reader compatibility

The Gardeners Ratcliff website is designed to be compatible with modern screen-reader software. We aim to provide meaningful alternative text for images where they convey important information, descriptive labels for interactive controls, and logical reading and tab order so that screen-reader users can navigate content efficiently.

We also work to ensure that form fields, buttons and menu items are clearly identified to assist people who rely on audio feedback or braille displays. Where we discover content that is not adequately described, we review and update it to improve the screen-reader experience for visitors exploring services and information in the Gardeners Ratcliff area.

Keyboard navigation

Our website is intended to be fully navigable using a keyboard alone, without the need for a mouse or touch input. Users should be able to move through menus, links, forms and controls using the keyboard, with a visible focus indicator showing which element is currently selected.

We regularly test keyboard navigation to identify barriers, such as inaccessible drop-down menus or components that cannot be activated using the keyboard. Where issues are found, we take steps to fix them, helping ensure that people who depend on keyboard access can still obtain information about Gardeners Ratcliff services and facilities.

Requests for accessible formats and feedback

If you experience any difficulty using the Gardeners Ratcliff website, or if any part of the site is not accessible to you, we encourage you to contact us to tell us about the problem. You can also contact us to request information in an accessible format, such as large print, an alternative digital format or other reasonable adjustments to support your needs.

When you get in touch, please describe the web page or content you were trying to access, the nature of the difficulty you encountered and the type of assistive technology you are using, if relevant. This information helps us investigate the issue and work towards a suitable solution. We review all accessibility feedback carefully and use it to guide improvements to the Gardeners Ratcliff digital experience.

Ongoing improvement

Accessibility is an ongoing process, and we recognise that there is always more that can be done. We are committed to regular review and improvement of the Gardeners Ratcliff website so that it remains as accessible and user friendly as possible. As technology and standards evolve, we will continue to update our approach, putting inclusive access for people living in, working in or visiting the Gardeners Ratcliff area at the centre of our digital services.