Accessibility Statement

Our Commitment

The Cotswolds Way is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people with disabilities. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone and applying the relevant accessibility standards. We aim to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 at Level AA.

Measures We Take

• check_circleSemantic HTML structure with proper heading hierarchy throughout all pages.
• check_circleSufficient colour contrast ratios between text and background colours, meeting WCAG AA standards.
• check_circleKeyboard navigation support for all interactive elements including our map search and itinerary builder.
• check_circleAlt text for all meaningful images and decorative images marked appropriately.
• check_circleForm labels and error messages that are clearly associated with their inputs.
• check_circleResponsive design that works across screen sizes and supports browser zoom up to 200%.
• check_circleNo content that flashes more than three times per second.
• check_circleSkip navigation links for keyboard users to bypass repetitive content.

Known Limitations

While we strive for full accessibility, some areas of our platform may have limitations:

• infoInteractive map: The Mapbox-powered trail map may have limited screen reader support. We provide alternative text-based accommodation listings on the search page.
• infoThird-party content: Some embedded content from accommodation providers may not meet our accessibility standards.
• infoPDF downloads: Some downloadable documents may not be fully accessible. Contact us for alternative formats.

Trail Accessibility

The Cotswolds Way National Trail includes terrain that presents physical accessibility challenges. Important information for visitors with mobility requirements:

• accessibleThe trail includes stiles, steep gradients, and uneven surfaces that are not wheelchair accessible along most sections.
• accessibleSome shorter sections near towns (such as Broadway and Bath) have accessible paths suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
• accessibleNational Trails provides information about accessible sections at nationaltrail.co.uk.
• accessibleWe include accessibility notes in our accommodation listings where properties have provided this information.
• accessibleMany of our listed B&Bs and hotels have ground-floor rooms and accessible facilities. Use our search filters to find suitable properties.

Assistive Technologies

Our website is designed to be compatible with the following assistive technologies:

• checkScreen readers (NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver)
• checkScreen magnification software
• checkSpeech recognition software
• checkKeyboard-only navigation
• checkBrowser extensions for colour and contrast adjustment

Feedback and Contact

We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of The Cotswolds Way platform. If you encounter any barriers or have suggestions for improvement, please contact us:

Enforcement

If you are not satisfied with our response to your accessibility concern, you can contact the Equality Advisory Support Service (EASS) at equalityadvisoryservice.com. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the accessibility regulations in England, Scotland, and Wales.