Gardener Docklands is committed to making our green spaces and services accessible to everyone in the Docklands area. We aim to reduce barriers to participation and to communicate clearly about accessibility features and ongoing improvements. This statement describes our approach to accessibility for the Gardener Docklands location and related public spaces.

Our accessibility work for the Docklands gardener sites focuses on practical measures that support independence and dignity for all visitors. We continuously review access routes, seating, signage, and landscape design to ensure paths and facilities support people with a range of needs, including mobility, vision and hearing differences.

We recognise that accessibility is an ongoing process: we welcome collaboration with local communities and accessibility specialists to prioritise changes that make the Docklands garden areas more inclusive.

Our goal is to meet recognised accessibility standards. We design and maintain our public garden areas and customer-facing online material to align with WCAG 2.1 AA compliance where feasible, and to follow best practices for inclusive wayfinding and visitor information. Where full compliance is not yet achieved, we provide clear alternatives and timelines for improvement.

We support assistive technologies and inclusive design across our channels. This includes ensuring that digital information about the Docklands gardening sites is readable by common screen readers and that content structure uses proper headings and lists to facilitate navigation.

Key features we work to provide include:

• Screen-reader support: labelling, semantic headings and image descriptions for key resources.
• Keyboard navigation: ensuring online booking, maps and event pages are operable without a mouse.
• Physical access: step-free routes, firm surfaces and accessible seating in garden zones.

We test digital content with assistive tools and conduct site visits to check physical accessibility. Our approach emphasises simple language, clear contrasts, and predictable navigation to help people with cognitive and sensory differences. We use clear signage, tactile cues where appropriate, and visual contrasts that meet recommended ratios.

For visitors using screen readers, our online resources include alternative text for images, meaningful link text and headings that reflect the content structure. For in-person visits to Docklands gardens, staff and volunteers receive guidance on greeting and assisting visitors with different needs.

Keyboard navigation is prioritised for online tools: forms, event sign-ups and maps are designed to be reachable and operable via the keyboard alone. We monitor common assistive technologies and update practices when new guidance becomes available.

When we identify barriers, we document them and put improvement plans in place. These plans include timelines and risk assessments so that our Docklands gardening sites can become progressively more accessible and welcoming. We also maintain an internal log of accessibility work and audits to track progress.

To request information in an alternative format or to raise an accessibility concern about Gardener Docklands, please contact our accessibility team using the contact options provided on this site or by speaking to a staff member at our Docklands location. We will acknowledge requests and respond with a proposed solution or an estimated completion timeframe.

Thank you for engaging with Gardener Docklands on accessibility. We value inclusive access to urban nature and community gardening in the Docklands area, and we will continue to refine our practices to better serve everyone.