ACCESSIBILITY & DIGITAL INCLUSION
Page Updated (effective date): 7 October 2026
Operated by Steven Patrick Sim t/a The Tartan Artisan®
Governing Law: Scotland | Framework: Equality Act 2010 | Accessibility target: WCAG 2.2 Level AA
1. Purpose of This Policy
At The Tartan Artisan®, accessibility is part of our design ethos — not an afterthought.
We believe everyone should be able to experience the creativity, heritage, and craftsmanship of Scotland through our digital spaces, regardless of ability, technology, or circumstance.
This policy explains our ongoing commitment to digital inclusion across all websites, online stores, and digital media channels operated by The Tartan Artisan®, including thetartanartisan.com, tartan.love, and TARTAN250.
2. Our Commitment
We are dedicated to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience.
Our goal is to work towards WCAG 2.2 Level AA — an internationally recognised standard for web accessibility — so that visitors can:
Navigate and understand content easily.
Interact with products, images, and forms without barriers.
Access important information using assistive technologies (such as screen readers or voice navigation).
Request alternative formats when required.
Current status: full conformance with every WCAG 2.2 Level AA requirement has not been verified across the whole website. This policy sets out our commitment and intended approach; it does not certify that every page, document, or third-party feature is fully accessible.
3. What Accessibility Means to Us
Accessibility goes beyond legal compliance; it’s about respect, dignity, and user empowerment.
Our design priorities are:
Readable text: clear fonts, strong colour contrast, and scalable text.
Keyboard navigation: making core functions usable without a mouse, with visible focus and a logical order.
Alt-text for images: meaningful descriptions for artworks, products, and photographs.
Logical heading structure: so screen readers can interpret pages correctly.
Video and audio content: captions for spoken content and text alternatives for important information conveyed through sound or moving images.
Forms and buttons: labelled clearly for easy comprehension.
Responsive design: mobile, tablet, and desktop compatibility.
4. Platform Accessibility (Shopify & Integrations)
Our website runs on the Shopify platform. Accessibility also depends on the theme, our own content, and the apps and services used on the site.
When reviewing or updating content, we aim to consider:
Descriptive alt text and useful written information for tartan imagery, fine-art visuals, and product photographs.
Clear product information for the Burnished Gold editions produced in Arbroath, alongside products supplied through partners such as theprintspace and Contrado.
Logical menus, consistent navigation, and clearly labelled product options, deposit choices, and checkout steps, including Downpay options where offered.
Image galleries, including XO Gallery, and embedded videos, with descriptive text, captions, or other suitable alternatives as appropriate.
Using Shopify or an app does not, by itself, guarantee accessibility. If a third-party feature creates a barrier, we will seek a practical adjustment, raise the issue with the provider where appropriate, and help you access the information or service by another suitable route.
5. Assistive Technologies & Supported Browsers
We aim to support current versions of major browsers and mobile operating systems, including:
Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge
Android and iOS mobile devices
We aim to make content usable with common assistive technologies, including:
Screen readers such as JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver
Text-to-speech and magnifier software
Speech-recognition tools
These lists describe intended support, rather than a record of testing every combination. Compatibility can vary with the browser, device, assistive technology, and third-party feature in use. Please contact us if you encounter a difficulty.
6. Alternative Access & Assistance
If you have difficulty using any part of our website or digital materials, we’re here to help.
You can request information in alternative formats (e.g. large print or plain text) by contacting:
Steven Patrick Sim (Stevie)
The Tartan Artisan® Studio
55 Lordburn, Arbroath, Angus DD11 1JD, Scotland
Email: enquiries@thetartanartisan.com
Telephone: 07590 566777
We will do our best to provide a suitable alternative within a reasonable timeframe. This can include plain-text product information, descriptions of photographs, or information from the Burnished Gold companion guide and care instructions.
If selecting a product, choosing a deposit option, or using checkout is difficult, please get in touch so we can help you find a suitable way to order. We will not charge extra for reasonable adjustments required by law.
7. Continuous Improvement
Accessibility is an evolving journey.
We aim to identify and remove barriers through:
Content and navigation reviews, particularly when pages, themes, or apps change.
Customer feedback to identify difficulties and guide improvements.
Reviewing relevant Shopify and app updates for accessibility improvements.
Learning from current accessibility guidance when preparing copy, images, and other media.
We welcome user feedback and aim to act quickly when accessibility issues are identified.
8. Reporting Accessibility Issues
If you encounter any problem accessing our website or believe content is not fully accessible, please contact us directly with details of:
The page or product you were viewing
The nature of the problem
The device, browser, and any assistive technology you were using, if you are comfortable sharing these details
Email enquiries@thetartanartisan.com, telephone 07590 566777, or use the form on our Contact page.
We aim to acknowledge your message within 3 working days and provide an update or proposed next steps within 10 working days. Some changes may take longer or require help from a third-party provider; we will explain this if it affects your request.
9. Compliance & Legal Framework
The following law and guidance inform our approach:
Equality Act 2010 (Great Britain) — including duties to avoid disability discrimination and make reasonable adjustments when providing goods and services.
Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 — these rules apply to public sector bodies, rather than this private art business. Their practical accessibility guidance can still inform our improvements.
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2, Level AA — our target for improving web accessibility, rather than a claim of independently verified full conformance.
We keep relevant developments under review, including the European Accessibility Act (Directive (EU) 2019/882) and national rules implementing it where applicable to services offered in the European Union. Applicability depends on the service and the relevant rules; this policy does not claim that every international accessibility requirement has been independently verified.
10. Digital Inclusion Beyond the Website
We aim to apply accessibility principles beyond the website:
When preparing social media content, we aim to use alt text, captions for spoken content, and plain-language descriptions, using the features available on each platform.
PDFs and other documents, such as certificates, guides, and press kits, may contain visual layouts or images that are difficult to use with assistive technology. We aim to improve document accessibility and can help with relevant information in plain text or another suitable format on request.
For emails and newsletters, our priorities are readable text, clear links, and good contrast. If a message is difficult to read, please ask for a plain-text version.
11. Responsibility & Oversight
Accessibility oversight is managed by:
Steven Patrick Sim
Founder & Creative Director, The Tartan Artisan®
✉ stevie@thetartanartisan.com
He is responsible for ensuring that accessibility considerations remain integral to all design, development, and publishing processes.
12. Updates to This Policy
We may update this policy periodically to reflect evolving standards, new tools, or feedback received.
The latest version will always be published here and dated at the top of this page.
End of Accessibility & Digital Inclusion Policy
(This policy forms part of The Tartan Artisan® Legal Framework and applies to all domains including TARTAN250 and Tartan.LOVE.)