Accessibility Statement
Our commitment to making Bee Local accessible to everyone
Last updated: January 2025 | Compliant with WCAG 2.1 Level AAOur Commitment to Accessibility
Bee Local is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people with disabilities. We continually improve the user experience for everyone and apply relevant accessibility standards.
We believe that everyone should be able to:
- Search for and discover local businesses
- Create and manage business listings
- Access our marketplace and services
- Navigate our website efficiently
- Use all interactive features
Accessibility is an ongoing process, and we're dedicated to continuous improvement of our platform's usability for all users.
Key Information
Standard: WCAG 2.1 Level AA
Last Audit: December 2024
Next Review: June 2025
Compliance: Substantially Compliant
Accessibility Standards
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
Bee Local conforms to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA. These guidelines explain how to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities.
Our platform meets or exceeds the following principles:
Perceivable
- Alternative text for images
- High contrast color schemes
- Resizable text up to 200%
- Audio and video transcripts
Operable
- Keyboard navigation support
- No content that causes seizures
- Sufficient time limits
- Clear navigation methods
Understandable
- Clear, simple language
- Predictable functionality
- Form validation and help text
- Consistent navigation
Robust
- Compatible with assistive technologies
- Valid HTML markup
- Cross-browser compatibility
- Mobile responsive design
Accessibility Features
- Tab Navigation: All interactive elements accessible via Tab key
- Arrow Key Support: Menu and form navigation
- Enter/Space Activation: Button and link activation
- Escape Key: Close modals and dropdown menus
- Custom Keyboard Shortcuts: Quick access to search and key features
- High Contrast Mode: Enhanced visibility option
- Color Independence: Information not conveyed by color alone
- Scalable Text: Zoom up to 200% without horizontal scrolling
- Alternative Text: Descriptive alt text for all images
- Focus Management: Clear visual focus indicators
- Clear Labels: Every form field has descriptive labels
- Error Identification: Clear error messages and instructions
- Required Field Indicators: Visual and text indicators
- Input Assistance: Help text and format examples
- Timeout Warnings: Alerts for session timeouts
Assistive Technology Support
Bee Local has been tested and is compatible with the following assistive technologies:
| Technology | Support Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Readers | Full Support | JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, TalkBack |
| Voice Recognition | Full Support | Dragon NaturallySpeaking, Voice Control |
| Switch Navigation | Full Support | Single and multi-switch devices |
| Magnification Tools | Full Support | ZoomText, Windows Magnifier |
Browser Requirements
For the best accessibility experience, we recommend:
- Chrome 90+
- Firefox 88+
- Safari 14+
- Edge 90+
Known Issues & Limitations
Current Limitations
We're actively working to resolve the following accessibility issues:
- Map Interactions: Some advanced map features may have limited keyboard access (alternative text-based search available)
- PDF Documents: Some older PDF files may not be fully accessible (contact us for alternative formats)
- Video Content: We're working to add closed captions to all video content
Expected resolution: Q2 2025
Testing & Compliance
Automated Testing
- axe-core accessibility testing
- Lighthouse accessibility audits
- Wave Web Accessibility Evaluation
- Pa11y command line testing
Manual Testing
- Screen reader testing (NVDA, JAWS)
- Keyboard-only navigation
- High contrast mode verification
- User testing with disabled users
Accessibility Feedback
We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of Bee Local. Please let us know if you encounter accessibility barriers:
Contact Methods
Email: accessibility@beelocal.uk
Phone: 0330 123 4567
Post: Accessibility Team, Bee Local Ltd, Alloa Business Centre, Whins Road, Alloa, Clackmannanshire, Scotland, FK10 3SA
Response time: We aim to respond within 3-5 business days
When reporting an accessibility issue, please include:
- The web page or feature where you encountered the problem
- Your browser and version
- Assistive technology you're using (if any)
- A description of the problem
Ongoing Improvements
Completed (2024)
- WCAG 2.1 AA compliance audit
- Screen reader optimization
- Keyboard navigation improvements
- High contrast mode
In Progress (Q1 2025)
- Voice search integration
- Enhanced mobile accessibility
- Video caption additions
- Advanced keyboard shortcuts
Planned (Q2 2025)
- AI-powered accessibility features
- Dark mode optimization
- Dyslexia-friendly font options
- Advanced search filters
Need Accessibility Support?
Our accessibility team is here to help ensure you can use all features of Bee Local.