Accessibility Statement — Gardening Catford Community

This Accessibility Statement explains how Gardening Catford and Catford gardening activities work to make our services and community spaces accessible. We aim to meet WCAG 2.1 AA compliance standards and provide an environment where everyone can participate in gardening in Catford without barriers. This statement covers web content, in-person volunteering, and community garden access in the Catford area.

We recognise that accessibility is ongoing. Our approach to accessible Gardening Catford projects includes semantic HTML, clear headings, consistent navigation and ARIA attributes where needed. We use screen-reader support techniques, descriptive link text, and logical reading order so assistive technologies can present content accurately to users.

To support inclusive Catford gardening activities, our website and materials are built to be keyboard operable and friendly to people who rely on keyboard navigation. You can navigate menus, forms and interactive maps using keyboard-only inputs and visible focus indicators. We test these features regularly to ensure practical usability.

Our web content aims for WCAG 2.1 AA conformance across pages describing training, volunteer roles and community garden locations. We maintain adequate colour contrast, scalable text without loss of content, and clear labels for forms and controls used by those taking part in Catford gardening sessions.

We provide alternative formats for essential content where reasonable: downloadable text versions, printable copies, and transcripts for audio materials related to Gardeners Catford events. Alt text is used on images that communicate meaning and decorative images are marked to be ignored by assistive tools.

In our physical community gardens, we prioritise routes, signage and planting areas that accommodate people with mobility, visual and cognitive differences. For those attending workshops and sessions, we strive to offer adjustments such as adapted tools, seating and volunteer support to make Catford community gardens welcoming.

Key accessibility features we implement include:

• Keyboard navigation: Full functionality via keyboard with visible focus outlines.
• Screen-reader support: ARIA roles, landmarks, and well-structured headings for easier content discovery.
• Readable content: Plain language, consistent layout, and headings for quick scanning when learning about gardening in Catford.
• Media accessibility: Captions and transcripts for videos and audio that describe Catford gardening techniques.
• Contrast and resizing: High-contrast palettes and text that resizes without breaking layouts.

We perform regular accessibility testing: automated audits, manual keyboard and screen reader checks, and usability sessions with local volunteers when possible. When new features are added or events are announced for Catford gardens, accessibility is reviewed as part of the development process.

Limitations and exceptions are documented. If you encounter an accessibility barrier when interacting with Gardening Catford resources or visiting a Catford garden, please let us know so we can make reasonable adjustments. We take reports seriously and aim to respond in a timely and respectful manner.

How to request accessibility support: If you need alternative formats, assistance at an event, or specific adjustments to participate in Catford gardening activities, please use the contact options provided on this site to reach our accessibility coordinator. We will work with you to identify reasonable accommodations and follow up on any requests.

Our commitment is ongoing. We review our policies, update content and refine onsite design to improve access for all community members. As Catford gardening initiatives evolve, we will continue to prioritise inclusive practices and keep this statement current.

For more details about our approach to access, including the technical steps taken to support assistive technologies, refer to this statement and the accessibility notes located with each event and project listing. Gardening Catford values diversity and aims to remove barriers so everyone in the Catford area can enjoy and contribute to our community gardens.