News & Info Accessibility and Usability

Built for everyone.

Whether you use a mouse, a keyboard, touch, your voice, a screen reader or a magnifier, you should be able to find what you need here, understand it and act on it. This page explains how we work towards that, where we still fall short, and how to tell us when something gets in your way.

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01 Statement

Accessibility statement

The formal part, in plain words: what we aim for, how close we are, and what we are still working on.

Our commitment

Watford Construction™ wants everyone to be able to use this website, including people who are blind or partially sighted, D/deaf or hard of hearing, or who have physical, cognitive or learning disabilities. We aim to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 at level AA, the internationally recognised standard for accessible websites, and to go further where we can.

Accessibility and usability go hand in hand. A page that works well with a screen reader or a keyboard is usually clearer and quicker for everyone.

How accessible this website is

We are rebuilding the website page by page. New pages, like this one, are designed to the target above, and we check them on phones and computers, with a keyboard and with motion reduced. Some older pages, and some services provided by other companies, do not meet the target yet, so we describe the website as partially conformant.

Known limitations

These are the areas we know about. We are reviewing each of them, and we can help you another way in the meantime.

  • Older pages

    Some pages were built before our current approach. They may have headings out of order, text with too little contrast, or images without useful descriptions.

    Reviewing page by page

  • Site header, menus and footer

    These are shared by every page. We are reviewing their contrast, the order in which keyboard focus moves through them, and the names screen readers announce for their icons.

    Reviewing

  • 3D scenes and the configurator

    Some product pages draw scenes live in your browser, and the garage configurator lets you design visually. These may be hard to use with a keyboard or a screen reader. Our team can talk you through the same choices by phone or email.

    Reviewing alternatives

  • Region and language chooser

    On a first visit, a window may ask you to choose your region and language. We are checking how it handles keyboard focus and screen readers.

    Reviewing

  • Shop, basket and account

    Some product images in the shop may lack useful descriptions, and some steps in the basket, checkout and My account may not work as well as they should with assistive technology.

    Reviewing

  • Product documents

    Manuals and product declarations come from our manufacturing partners and are not always in accessible formats. Ask us, and we will look for another format.

    Other formats on request

  • Services from other companies

    Payments, live chat, messaging and maps are provided by other companies, so we cannot change their design ourselves. We will pass on any barrier you report and help you another way, for example by phone.

    We pass reports on

Feedback and contact

If you find a barrier, or need information in another format, please tell us. You can report a barrier below, email enquiries@watford-construction.com, or call Customer Care on +44 (0) 330 818 0713, Monday to Saturday 8 am to 8 pm, Sunday 10 am to 5 pm (UK time).

About this statement

This statement was prepared in October 2026. We will update it as our review of the areas above moves forward, and whenever we make significant changes to the website.

Standards and law

WCAG 2.2 was published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) in October 2023. Meeting level AA means meeting every level A and level AA success criterion.

EN 301 549 is the European standard for accessible information and communication technology. Its requirements for websites are based on WCAG.

In the United Kingdom, the Equality Act 2010 requires service providers, including those offering services online, to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people. In the European Union, the European Accessibility Act has applied to many products and services, including online shops, since 28 June 2025.

02 Approach

What we design for

Nine things we aim for on every new page. The numbers are the WCAG success criteria behind each one.

  1. A clear structure

    One main heading, sections in order and named landmarks, so a page can be skimmed by ear as quickly as by eye.

    WCAG success criteria 1.3.1 2.4.6 4.1.2

  2. Everything by keyboard

    Every link, button, menu and form usable with a keyboard alone, in a sensible order, without focus getting trapped.

    WCAG success criteria 2.1.1 2.1.2 2.4.3

  3. Focus you can see

    A thick outline that shows where you are, never hidden behind a sticky bar.

    WCAG success criteria 2.4.7 2.4.11 2.4.13

  4. Text that stands out

    At least 4.5:1 contrast between text and its background, and 7:1 wherever we can.

    Body text on this page, measured now

    17.4:1

    WCAG success criteria 1.4.3 1.4.6 1.4.11

  5. Words for images

    A text alternative for every image that carries meaning. Purely decorative images stay hidden from screen readers.

    WCAG success criterion 1.1.1

  6. Zoom without losing your place

    Text that enlarges to 200%, and pages that reflow at 400% zoom without sideways scrolling.

    WCAG success criteria 1.4.4 1.4.10 1.4.12

  7. Motion you control

    Calm movement that follows your device’s reduce motion setting, and nothing that flashes.

    WCAG success criteria 2.2.2 2.3.1 2.3.3

  8. Targets you can hit

    Buttons and controls at least 44 by 44 pixels wherever we can, so they are easy to tap, even on the move.

    WCAG success criteria 2.5.5 2.5.8

  9. Forms that explain themselves

    A visible label on every field, errors that say what went wrong and how to put it right, and results announced without moving your focus.

    WCAG success criteria 3.3.1 3.3.2 3.3.3 4.1.3

What the numbers mean
WCAG 2.2 success criteria referred to on this page
CriterionNameLevel
1.1.1Non-text ContentA
1.3.1Info and RelationshipsA
1.4.3Contrast (Minimum)AA
1.4.4Resize TextAA
1.4.6Contrast (Enhanced)AAA
1.4.10ReflowAA
1.4.11Non-text ContrastAA
1.4.12Text SpacingAA
2.1.1KeyboardA
2.1.2No Keyboard TrapA
2.2.2Pause, Stop, HideA
2.3.1Three Flashes or Below ThresholdA
2.3.3Animation from InteractionsAAA
2.4.3Focus OrderA
2.4.6Headings and LabelsAA
2.4.7Focus VisibleAA
2.4.11Focus Not Obscured (Minimum), new in 2.2AA
2.4.13Focus Appearance, new in 2.2AAA
2.5.5Target Size (Enhanced)AAA
2.5.8Target Size (Minimum), new in 2.2AA
3.3.1Error IdentificationA
3.3.2Labels or InstructionsA
3.3.3Error SuggestionAA
4.1.2Name, Role, ValueA
4.1.3Status MessagesAA

Level AAA criteria are listed where we use them as a design aim. Our target for the website as a whole is level AA.

People

There is no single way to use the web.

Some people read with their fingertips on a braille display. Some listen to a screen reader at speed. Some zoom in to 400%, never touch a mouse, or talk to their device. And most of us have moments, a sprained wrist, bright sunlight, a baby in one arm, when we need the same things for a while. Designing for all of it makes the website better for everyone.

Two hands reading a refreshable braille display that sits in front of a laptop on a wooden table.
Reading by touch. A refreshable braille display raises small pins to form the text on screen.
A man at a kitchen table by a window, wearing headphones and listening as he types on a laptop.
Reading by ear. A screen reader speaks each heading, link and button aloud.

Concept visualisation

03 Getting around

Getting around

We design every control on our new pages to work with a keyboard, a screen reader, voice control and switch access. If something does not, please tell us.

With a keyboard

Press Tab to move through a page. A thick outline shows where you are: it is the same outline you can see around ‘everyone.’ at the top of this page.

On every page of our website, the first press of Tab brings up a Skip to content link, so you can go straight past the menus.

Try it: the keys light up here as you press them.

Tab
Move to the next link, button or field.
Shift+Tab
Move back to the previous one.
Enter
Follow a link or press a button.
Space
Press a button or tick a box. Elsewhere, scroll down the page.
Left arrowUp arrowDown arrowRight arrow
Move between options in a group, such as tabs or radio buttons.
Esc
Close a menu, panel or dialog.
HomeorEnd
Jump to the first or last option in a group.
Ctrl+F
Find words on the page. On a Mac, use Cmd instead of Ctrl.

With a screen reader

Our new pages are built from headings and landmarks, so you can jump straight to the part you need instead of listening from the top. These are the commands most people use.

Commands can differ between versions and settings.

Windows · free to download

NVDA commands
To do thisPress
Read from hereNVDA + Down arrow
Stop speakingCtrl
Next headingH (Shift + H to go back)
Heading by level1 to 6
Next landmarkD
Next form fieldF
List headings, links and landmarksNVDA + F7

The NVDA key is Insert, unless you have chosen Caps Lock.

Windows

JAWS commands
To do thisPress
Read from hereInsert + Down arrow
Stop speakingCtrl
Next headingH (Shift + H to go back)
Heading by level1 to 6
Next landmarkR
Next form fieldF
List headingsInsert + F6
List linksInsert + F7

Built into Windows

Narrator commands
To do thisPress
Turn Narrator on or offWindows logo key + Ctrl + Enter
Scan mode on or offNarrator + Space
Stop speakingCtrl
Next heading, in scan modeH (Shift + H to go back)
Next landmark, in scan modeD

The Narrator key is Caps Lock or Insert.

Built into macOS

VoiceOver on Mac commands
To do thisPress
Turn VoiceOver on or offCmd + F5
Read from hereVO + A
Stop speakingControl
Next headingVO + Cmd + H
Open the rotor (headings, links, landmarks)VO + U
Press a button or linkVO + Space

VO means Control and Option held together.

Built into iOS and iPadOS

VoiceOver on iPhone and iPad gestures
To do thisGesture
Turn VoiceOver onSettings › Accessibility › VoiceOver, or ask Siri
Next or previous itemSwipe right or left with one finger
Activate the itemDouble-tap
Jump by headingTurn the rotor to Headings by twisting two fingers, then swipe down
Read the page from the topSwipe up with two fingers
Stop speakingTap with two fingers

Built into Android

TalkBack gestures
To do thisGesture
Turn TalkBack onSettings › Accessibility › TalkBack
Next or previous itemSwipe right or left with one finger
Activate the itemDouble-tap
Jump by headingChoose Headings in the reading controls, then swipe down
Pause speechTap with two fingers

Menu names vary a little between phone makers.

With voice control or a switch

Voice Control on iPhone, iPad and Mac, Voice Access on Android and voice access on Windows can put a number on every control. Say Show numbers, then say the number. You can also say Tap or Click followed by a button’s visible name, such as Click Report a barrier.

Switch users move through a page in much the same order as keyboard users, which is one more reason we keep that order logical.

This page’s outline

This is how a screen reader sees this page, read live from the page itself. Select a heading to jump to it.

Adds a small H1, H2 or H3 tag before every heading.

04 Your settings

Make every website easier to use

The preferences at the top change this page only. The settings on your device and in your browser work everywhere, including the rest of our website. These are the ones people use most.

Larger text
Settings Accessibility Display & Text Size Larger Text
Bolder text
Settings Accessibility Display & Text Size Bold Text
More contrast
Settings Accessibility Display & Text Size Increase Contrast
Less motion
Settings Accessibility Motion Reduce Motion
Magnify the screen
Settings Accessibility Zoom
Screen reader
Settings Accessibility VoiceOver
Reader view in Safari
Page menu in the address bar Show Reader
Larger text
Settings Accessibility Display size and text Font size
More contrast
Settings Accessibility Display size and text High contrast text
Less motion
Settings Accessibility Color and motion Remove animations
Magnify the screen
Settings Accessibility Magnification
Screen reader
Settings Accessibility TalkBack
Control by voice
Settings Accessibility Voice Access

Names follow Google’s own phones and vary a little between makers. Search the Settings app if you cannot find one.

Larger text
Settings Accessibility Text size
More contrast
Settings Accessibility Contrast themes
Less motion
Settings Accessibility Visual effects Animation effects
Magnify the screen
Windows logo key + Plus starts Magnifier
Screen reader
Windows logo key + Ctrl + Enter starts Narrator
Control by voice
Settings Accessibility Speech Voice access

These follow Windows 11.

Larger text
System Settings Accessibility Display Text size
More contrast
System Settings Accessibility Display Increase contrast
Less motion
System Settings Accessibility Display Reduce motion
Magnify the screen
System Settings Accessibility Zoom
Screen reader
Cmd + F5 starts VoiceOver
Control by voice
System Settings Accessibility Voice Control

These follow recent versions of macOS.

Zoom in
Ctrl + +, or Cmd + + on a Mac
Zoom out
Ctrl + −, or Cmd + − on a Mac
Back to 100%
Ctrl + 0, or Cmd + 0 on a Mac
On a phone or tablet
Pinch outwards with two fingers to zoom
Find on the page
Ctrl + F, or Cmd + F on a Mac
A simpler view
Reader in Safari, Reader View in Firefox, Immersive Reader in Edge, Reading mode in Chrome

05 Other formats

Ask for it another way

If something on this website does not work for you, we can usually find another way to give you the same information or service.

  • In another format

    Tell us what you need, for example large print, plain text or an accessible digital document, and which page or document it is about. We will look at how best to provide it.

    Email a request
  • By phone instead

    Prefer to talk? Call Customer Care on +44 (0) 330 818 0713, Monday to Saturday 8 am to 8 pm, Sunday 10 am to 5 pm (UK time). If you use a textphone, dial 18001 first to reach us through Relay UK.

    Call Customer Care
  • At your home

    If we are visiting to survey or install and you would like something done differently, such as more time, a particular way to contact you, or someone with you, let us know when you arrange the visit.

    Contact Support

06 Report a barrier

Tell us what got in your way

We will lay your report out as an email to our team. You send it from your own email app, so nothing is sent from this page, and this page does not store what you type.

What happens next

  1. You send it

    From your email app. Add a screenshot or a short recording if you can.

  2. We read it

    We may ask a question or two to find the problem.

  3. We look into it

    And let you know what we plan to do about it.

  4. We help another way

    In the meantime, by phone or email, so you are not left waiting.

Barrier report

Fields marked required are needed to prepare the email. Everything else is optional.

Copy it from your browser’s address bar if you can.

For example: compare garage door sizes, or pay for an order.

What happened, and what you expected to happen.

0 of 2,000 characters

What do you use? optional

Choose any that apply. It helps us recreate the problem.

How should we reply?

For example: plain language, large print, or a time of day to call.

Opens a review first. Nothing is sent until you press send in your email app.

Accessibility is never finished.

Every report helps us make the website easier for the next person. Thank you for taking the time to tell us.

Watford Construction Accessibility statement Prepared October 2026 Target WCAG 2.2 AA

Changes apply as you choose them

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