Accessibility at Gardeners Friern Barnet

Gardeners Friern Barnet is committed to making our gardening services and our online information accessible to as many people as possible in the Friern Barnet area. We aim to offer inclusive, accessible gardening support so that customers with different access needs can learn about and use our services with confidence.

Our Accessibility Commitment

We are working towards meeting the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1, level AA. These guidelines explain how to make web content more accessible for people with a wide range of disabilities, including visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, language, learning and neurological disabilities. Following WCAG 2.1 AA also makes our website easier to use for everyone in Friern Barnet who is looking for local gardeners.

Accessibility is an ongoing process. We regularly review our website and written materials to identify areas that can be improved for customers who rely on assistive technologies or alternative ways of accessing information about our gardening services.

Screen Reader Support

Our website is designed to work with modern screen reader software used by people who are blind or have low vision. Pages are structured with clear headings, paragraphs and lists so that screen reader users can navigate efficiently. Images that convey important information about our gardening work aim to include alternative text so that descriptions can be read aloud. We avoid using images of text wherever possible and focus on clear written content so that information about Gardeners Friern Barnet is available to all visitors.

We also try to use plain and descriptive language to help users who have cognitive disabilities or who speak English as an additional language. This is especially important when explaining services, pricing and appointment details for gardening work in the Friern Barnet area.

Keyboard Navigation

Our website is being developed to support full keyboard navigation. This is important for people who cannot use a mouse or who prefer keyboard controls. You should be able to move through links, buttons and form fields using the Tab, Shift plus Tab and Enter keys. Visible focus indicators are used so that you can see which part of the page is currently selected while you explore our gardening services and information.

We work to avoid keyboard traps, where a user can move into a section using the keyboard but cannot move out again. Interactions such as opening and closing menus or requesting quotes for gardening in Friern Barnet should be possible using keyboard controls alone.

Compatibility and Limitations

We aim to make the Gardeners Friern Barnet website function on current versions of common browsers and devices. Some older browsers or very small screens may not provide the best accessible experience. We recommend using the most up to date version of your browser and operating system available to you in order to benefit from both accessibility and security improvements.

There may still be parts of the site or specific documents that are not fully accessible. When we identify barriers, we plan and prioritise improvements based on how they affect people who rely on accessible features to learn about or book gardening services.

Requesting Information in an Accessible Format

If you experience any difficulty accessing information about Gardeners Friern Barnet or using any part of our website, you can contact us to request assistance or an alternative format. For example, you can ask for large print descriptions of our services, clearer explanations of pricing, or help with booking a gardening visit in Friern Barnet if online forms are not accessible to you.

When you contact us with an accessibility request, please describe the issue you are facing, the page or information you need, and how you would like us to respond. We will review your request and aim to offer a suitable alternative as soon as we reasonably can.

Ongoing Improvements

Accessibility for gardeners and customers in Friern Barnet is an ongoing priority. We welcome feedback from residents, visitors and support workers about how our website or service information can be easier to use. Your comments help us understand real barriers and make practical changes that support inclusive gardening services across the Friern Barnet area.

We will continue to review our site, update content and improve our processes to better meet WCAG 2.1 AA guidance and to support everyone who wants to access Gardeners Friern Barnet.