Accessibility Statement

Our Commitment

Curtain Making Services is committed to ensuring our website is accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. We believe that creating beautiful, functional spaces through handmade soft furnishings should begin with ensuring everyone can access information about our services.

We are working to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standard. These guidelines help make web content more accessible to people with a wide range of disabilities, including visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, language, learning, and neurological disabilities.

Accessibility Features

Our website has been designed with the following accessibility features:

Navigation and Structure

• Clear, consistent navigation throughout the site
• Semantic HTML5 markup for proper document structure
• Descriptive page titles for every page
• Skip-to-content link for keyboard navigation
• Logical heading hierarchy (H1, H2, H3, etc.)
• Breadcrumb navigation where appropriate

Visual Design

• Sufficient colour contrast ratios meeting WCAG AA standards (minimum 4.5:1 for normal text)
• Text that can be resized up to 200% without loss of functionality
• Clear, readable typography with appropriate line spacing
• Information conveyed through more than colour alone
• Responsive design that works across devices and screen sizes

Content and Readability

• Plain English language throughout (avoiding unnecessary jargon)
• Technical terms explained when first introduced
• Descriptive link text (avoiding "click here" or "read more")
• Alternative text for all meaningful images (including fabric samples and curtain examples)
• Decorative images marked as such for screen readers

Keyboard and Assistive Technology

• Full keyboard navigation support (Tab, Enter, Arrow keys)
• Visible focus indicators for interactive elements
• ARIA labels and landmarks for screen reader users
• Form fields with clear labels and error messages
• No keyboard traps or inaccessible interactive elements

Media and Documents

• Image galleries with descriptive captions and alternative text
• Documents provided in accessible formats where possible
• PDFs include proper structure and tagging for screen readers

Known Limitations

Despite our best efforts, some parts of our website may not yet be fully accessible. We are aware of the following limitations:

Third-Party Content

• WhatsApp integration: WhatsApp's web interface is controlled by Meta and may not meet all WCAG 2.1 AA standards. If you experience difficulty using WhatsApp, please contact us via phone or email instead
• Social media embeds: Embedded social media content is provided by third-party platforms and may present accessibility challenges

Portfolio Images

• Some fabric pattern and texture details may be difficult to describe fully in alternative text. We provide context where possible and welcome requests for additional information about specific fabrics or projects
• Historical project photographs may have varying image quality

PDF Documents

• Older PDF documents may not be fully tagged or accessible. We are working to update these, and can provide information in alternative formats upon request

Testing and Compliance

We regularly test our website using:

• Automated accessibility testing tools (WAVE, Axe, Lighthouse)
• Manual testing with keyboard-only navigation
• Screen reader testing (NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver)
• Browser zoom and text-resize testing
• Colour contrast analysers

This website was last reviewed for accessibility on January 2025.

What We're Doing to Improve

Accessibility is an ongoing commitment. We are actively working to:

• Conduct regular accessibility audits of new content
• Update older content to meet current standards
• Ensure all new portfolio images have comprehensive alternative text
• Seek feedback from users with disabilities
• Work with third-party providers to improve embedded content accessibility
• Monitor and implement new accessibility best practices as they emerge

Feedback and Contact

We welcome feedback on the accessibility of our website. If you encounter any barriers or have suggestions for improvement, please let us know:

When reporting an issue, please include:

• The page URL where you experienced difficulty
• A description of the problem
• The assistive technology you were using (if applicable)
• Your browser and operating system

Alternative Access to Services

If you find any part of our website inaccessible and need information in a different format, we can provide:

• Information via email or phone consultation
• Documents in large print or different file formats
• Fabric sample descriptions over the phone
• Home visit consultations where we can discuss options in person
• Portfolio information in accessible formats

Please contact us using the details above, and we will make reasonable adjustments to meet your needs.

Technical Specifications

Our website accessibility relies on the following technologies:

• HTML5 semantic markup
• CSS3 for visual presentation
• WAI-ARIA for enhanced screen reader support
• JavaScript for interactive features (with graceful degradation)

The website is designed to work with:

• Modern web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge - current and previous version)
• Screen readers (NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver, TalkBack)
• Browser zoom up to 200%
• Operating system accessibility features (high contrast, text spacing, etc.)

Standards and Compliance

This statement was prepared in accordance with:

• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA
• Equality Act 2010 (UK legislation prohibiting discrimination)
• Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (as best practice guidance, though not legally applicable to private businesses)

While we are not legally required to meet public sector accessibility standards as a small private business, we use them as a framework to ensure the highest level of accessibility for all users.

Enforcement and Complaints

If you are not satisfied with our response to accessibility concerns, you can contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS):

Telephone: 0808 800 0082
Textphone: 0808 800 0084
Website: equalityadvisoryservice.com

EASS provides independent advice and support on discrimination and human rights issues.

Updates to This Statement

We will update this accessibility statement when:

• Significant changes are made to the website
• Accessibility improvements are implemented
• New accessibility issues are identified
• At least annually as part of our website review

The "Last updated" date at the top of this page indicates when the statement was most recently revised.

Our Broader Commitment

At Curtain Making Services, we've been creating considered, handmade soft furnishings since 1992. Accessibility is a fundamental part of our approach—both in the welcoming, calm consultation process we offer and in the digital spaces through which we communicate.

We recognise that disability is not a binary state but a spectrum of experiences, and that accessibility benefits everyone. Clear navigation, readable text, and thoughtful structure create a better experience for all users, regardless of ability.

We are committed to continuous improvement and welcome your partnership in making our website as inclusive and welcoming as the spaces we help create through our craft.