Accessibility Statement for Waste Collection Lewisham

This accessibility statement applies to the Waste Collection Lewisham service information and online resources related to waste and recycling in the Lewisham area. We want as many people as possible to be able to use our information and request waste collection services without barriers. This statement explains how we work to make our content accessible and what you can do if you experience difficulties.

Our commitment to accessibility

We are committed to providing an accessible waste collection service in Lewisham for all residents, businesses, and visitors. This includes both the digital information you use to learn about waste collection and the processes you use to request, manage, or change your service. Our aim is to remove or reduce accessibility barriers so that everyone can find the information they need and take action independently.

Standards and guidelines

We are working to ensure that our digital content and online waste collection information meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 at AA level. These guidelines are internationally recognised standards for making websites and online services more accessible for people with disabilities, including people who use assistive technologies, people with visual or hearing impairments, and people with cognitive or motor difficulties.

How we support screen readers

Our content for Waste Collection Lewisham is written and structured so that it can be understood by a wide range of screen reader software. We use clear headings, descriptive page titles, and logical reading order to help screen reader users move quickly between sections. We also aim to provide alternative text for images where they convey important information and to avoid using images of text.

Forms and request processes for waste collection are designed so that labels, instructions, and error messages can be read by screen readers. Wherever possible, we provide clear language and avoid unnecessary jargon so that on-screen information can be easily understood when read aloud.

Keyboard navigation and interaction

We design our online waste collection information and forms to be navigable using only a keyboard. This supports people who cannot use a mouse or touch screen. You should be able to move through headings, links, and form fields in a logical order, and clearly see which element is currently in focus.

Interactive elements such as buttons or expandable sections are developed so that they can be activated via keyboard commands. We aim to avoid time limits wherever possible, so you have enough time to read and use the content without rushing.

Making content easier to understand

We aim to use plain, straightforward language across our Waste Collection Lewisham content. Information about collections, recycling, bulky waste, and service changes is written to be clear and concise. We avoid unnecessary acronyms and explain unavoidable technical terms in simple language. This is designed to support people with cognitive or learning differences as well as residents whose first language is not English.

What we are doing to improve accessibility

Accessibility is an ongoing process. We regularly review our waste collection content to identify barriers and improve how information is presented. When we introduce new features or update existing content, we consider accessibility from the start. Where issues are identified, we prioritise fixes that have the greatest impact on people using assistive technologies or alternative input methods.

Reporting accessibility problems

If you experience any difficulty accessing information about Waste Collection Lewisham, or if any part of the service is not accessible to you, we would like to hear from you. Feedback from residents and service users helps us identify problems we may have missed and guides our improvements.

You can contact us to report an accessibility issue, request information in an alternative format, or ask for help using the service. Alternative formats may include large print, easy read, audio, or accessible digital versions. When you contact us, please describe the content or process you were trying to access, what went wrong, and the type of device or software you were using. This information helps us investigate and provide a suitable response.

Contact for accessibility requests

To make an accessibility request about Waste Collection Lewisham, or to ask any questions about this accessibility statement, please contact our customer service team by phone, email, or in writing. Tell us how you prefer to be contacted and if you need any specific adjustments to communicate with us. We aim to respond to accessibility enquiries promptly and to offer a solution or workaround wherever possible.

This accessibility statement will be reviewed regularly to reflect updates to our waste collection services, changes in technology, and improvements in accessibility standards and good practice.