Accessibility and Inclusion at Spitalfields Gardens

Gardening Spitalfields is committed to making our community green spaces and online presence accessible to as many people as possible. This accessibility statement describes our efforts to meet recognized accessibility standards, the features we provide to support people using assistive technology, and how you can request additional support. We aim for clear, usable content for everyone involved in Spitalfields gardening projects and local garden activities.

We strive for conformance with WCAG 2.1 AA as our baseline standard. Where possible, we go beyond those criteria to ensure that the information about community gardening in Spitalfields and our related services is perceivable, operable, understandable and robust. This includes color contrast checks, semantic markup, and use of ARIA where appropriate to improve compatibility with assistive technologies.

Our site and materials are structured to support screen-reader use and to improve navigation for people who rely on non-visual interfaces. We use meaningful headings, lists, and descriptive link text so that visitors exploring Spitalfields gardening information with a screen reader can locate content and actions quickly.

Keyboard navigation is a priority. You can tab through interactive controls, links and form fields in a predictable order. We test common keyboard interactions to ensure that essential features — such as event listings, volunteer sign-ups and accessibility request forms — can be completed without a mouse. Focus styles are kept visible to make it clear which element is active.

Key accessibility features include:

• Screen-reader support: Semantic HTML, ARIA landmarks and labelled controls.
• Keyboard navigation: Logical tab order, skip links and visible focus indicators.
• Readable content: Clear language, consistent structure and use of lists for steps and actions.

We also pay attention to images and media: images include descriptive alternative text where possible in our published resources, and videos are captioned or accompanied by transcripts when available. For physical access, our community gardens aim to provide level paths, raised beds and clear signage, though availability may vary by location.

Accessibility is an ongoing process. We carry out regular reviews against WCAG 2.1 AA and maintain an internal roadmap to address issues identified through audits or community reports. When we update pages or add new content related to Spitalfields gardening activities, we include accessibility checks as part of that process.

There may be areas that are not yet fully accessible. If you encounter barriers when trying to access information about gardens in Spitalfields or to participate in local projects, please let us know. We will work with you to provide the information or support you need in an alternative format. Requests for alternative formats or help will be handled promptly, and we will document steps taken to address the issue.

How to request accessibility support

If you need assistance: contact our accessibility team via the contact options listed on our site. Describe the nature of the barrier and the format or support you require. We will acknowledge requests, make reasonable adjustments and, where feasible, implement permanent accessibility improvements so others benefit from the change.