Accessibility Statement

Last updated: June 2026

1. Our Commitment

Gravel Direct Ltd is committed to providing a website that is accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. We believe that accessibility is not just a legal requirement, but a moral imperative to ensure equal access to information and services.

We are continuously working to improve the accessibility of our website and welcome your feedback on areas where we can improve.

2. Web Accessibility Standards

We aim to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). Our website has been designed and tested with accessibility in mind, including:

• Keyboard navigation support
• Screen reader compatibility
• Color contrast ratios that meet accessibility standards
• Readable font sizes and spacing
• Alternative text for images
• Semantic HTML structure
• Clear language and organization

3. Accessibility Features

3.1 Keyboard Navigation

Our website is fully navigable using the keyboard alone. You can:

• Tab through interactive elements (links, buttons, form fields)
• Enter/Space to activate links and buttons
• Escape to close menus and dialogs
• Arrow keys to navigate dropdown menus

A visible focus indicator appears around interactive elements when selected using the keyboard.

3.2 Screen Reader Support

Our website is compatible with popular screen readers including:

• NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access) — Free, Windows
• JAWS (Job Access With Speech) — Commercial, Windows
• VoiceOver — Built-in, macOS and iOS
• TalkBack — Built-in, Android

We use proper semantic HTML and ARIA labels to ensure screen readers accurately describe page content, navigation structure, and form fields.

3.3 Visual Accessibility

• Color Contrast: Text meets WCAG AA standards (4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text)
• Resizable Text: You can zoom the page up to 200% without loss of functionality
• No Flickering: Content does not flash or flicker at rates that could trigger seizures
• Font Sizes: Clear, readable fonts with adequate line spacing

3.4 Navigation & Structure

• Clear Headings: Pages use proper heading hierarchy (H1, H2, H3, etc.)
• Skip Links: “Skip to main content” link available at the top of each page
• Descriptive Links: Links use meaningful text (e.g., “View product details” instead of “Click here”)
• Breadcrumbs: Navigation paths show where you are on the site

3.5 Forms & Input

• Clear Labels: All form fields have descriptive labels
• Error Messages: Form validation errors are clearly identified and explained
• Input Guidance: Instructions explain required format and fields
• Multiple Input Methods: Forms work with keyboard, mouse, and touch

3.6 Media & Images

• Alt Text: All images include descriptive alternative text
• Video Captions: Videos include captions (where applicable)
• Audio Transcripts: Audio content includes transcripts (where applicable)

4. Known Limitations

While we strive for full accessibility, the following limitations currently exist:

• PDF Documents: Some older PDF files may not be fully accessible. We are working to make all PDFs accessible.
• Third-Party Tools: Some embedded third-party services (e.g., payment processors) may have varying levels of accessibility.
• Image Galleries: Complex image galleries may require additional keyboard navigation support.

We are actively working to address these limitations and improve accessibility across the entire site.

5. Assistive Technology Support

5.1 Browser Extensions & Tools

We recommend the following free accessibility tools:

• WAVE (WebAIM): Browser extension that evaluates web page accessibility
• Axe DevTools: Accessibility testing tool for Chrome and Firefox
• Lighthouse: Built into Chrome DevTools; includes accessibility audit
• Color Contrast Analyzer: Check color contrast ratios

5.2 Operating System Features

Most operating systems include built-in accessibility features:

• Windows: Settings > Accessibility (text size, magnifier, high contrast, speech recognition)
• macOS: System Preferences > Accessibility (VoiceOver, Zoom, display options)
• iOS: Settings > Accessibility (VoiceOver, Zoom, display options, hearing aids support)
• Android: Settings > Accessibility (TalkBack, Text-to-Speech, display options)

6. Feedback & Support

6.1 Report Accessibility Issues

If you encounter any accessibility barriers on our website, please let us know so we can improve:

• Email: info@graveldirectltd.co.uk
• Phone: 01977 552440
• Mailing Address: Middle Oxford St, Castleford WF10 5DF

When reporting an issue, please include:

• The page URL or specific area where you encountered the problem
• What assistive technology you use (if applicable)
• A description of the barrier
• How the issue affects your ability to use the site

6.2 Response Time

We will acknowledge your accessibility concern within 2 business days and provide updates on our remediation efforts.

6.3 Alternative Access Methods

If you are unable to use our website due to accessibility barriers, we offer alternative methods to access our services:

• Phone Orders: Call us to place orders verbally
• Email Support: Send enquiries to our support team
• In-Person Service: Visit our office for direct assistance

6.4 Accessibility Resources

For more information about web accessibility, visit:

• Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI): www.w3.org/WAI
• WebAIM: www.webaim.org
• UK Legislation (Equality Act 2010): legislation.gov.uk
• Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations: gov.uk

7. Continuous Improvement

Web accessibility is an ongoing process. We are committed to:

• Regularly auditing our website for accessibility compliance
• Training our team on accessibility best practices
• Testing with assistive technologies and real users
• Staying updated with web accessibility standards
• Responding promptly to accessibility feedback

This accessibility statement will be reviewed and updated regularly as improvements are made.