Accessibility (seedpod)

About this accessibility statement

This statement applies to the Seed Portal for Online Data (SeedPOD) website at seedpod.kew.org/seedpod, including its login page and database results page. The website is operated by the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. Its information pages provide headings, keyboard-accessible navigation, a skip-to-content link and links to individual page sections. Their layouts adapt to narrow screens. Scroll-triggered fades are disabled when your device is set to reduce motion.

The database has some accessibility limitations, described below. If you cannot use it or need information in another format, please contact us.

AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use (opens in a new tab) if you have a disability.

Compliance and known limitations

The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is committed to making SeedPOD accessible in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

Compliance status: this website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.2 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed below.

Non-accessible content

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

On the database results page at /seedpod/Explore:

In the column manager, checkboxes and a button do not have accessible names. A button is also placed inside another interactive control. This can make these controls difficult to identify or use with a screen reader. These problems do not meet WCAG 2.2 success criterion 4.1.2 (Name, Role, Value).
The draggable divider between the results and their summary does not expose all the required information about its position to assistive technology. This does not meet success criterion 4.1.2 (Name, Role, Value).
The results grid and column manager have problems with the way their structure is described to assistive technology. This does not meet success criterion 1.3.1 (Info and Relationships).
In the Download Agreement, the I Agree button has the accessible name “Confirm Agreement”, which does not match its visible wording. This can make it difficult to activate by voice. This does not meet success criterion 2.5.3 (Label in Name).
The About, Resources and Seed supply dropdown menus did not open using the keyboard in our Chrome database checks. This does not meet success criterion 2.1.1 (Keyboard). As a workaround, use the Home link, then use the menu on that page.

Dates for fixing these problems are not yet confirmed. Please contact us if you need help accessing the information.

Other accessibility limitations

Using the database by keyboard: use the arrow keys to move between column headings and filter cells, Enter to move into a filter input, and Escape to return to the filter cell. These controls worked in the tested browser, but keyboard access to all results and scrolling has not been confirmed. Please contact us if you cannot access the records you need.

The database and login pages lack a main page heading. Some database filters have generic labels that may not clearly identify which column they apply to.

Searching the database: use the Search SeedPOD database button on Explore the Data to open the database. Login is currently required.

Disproportionate burden

We are not claiming that fixing any accessibility problem would be a disproportionate burden.

Content that is not within the scope of the accessibility regulations

We are not currently relying on a content exemption.

Feedback and alternative formats

If you find an accessibility problem not listed on this page, or think we are not meeting accessibility requirements, email seedpod@kew.org. You can also telephone Kew on 020 8332 5655. We aim to respond within 3 to 5 working days.

If you need information from this website in a different format, such as an accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille, contact us using the details above. Tell us the page address, the format you need and the best way to contact you.

Enforcement procedure

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018. If you are not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) (opens in a new tab).

Preparation, testing and review

This statement was prepared on 27 August 2026. It was last reviewed on 29 September 2026.

On 29 September 2026, the live website at seedpod.kew.org was checked using Chrome 154 and axe-core 4.10.3, with WCAG 2.2 level A and AA (opens in a new tab) as the target. The automated check used axe's default rules, including additional good-practice checks.

The check covered all 14 information pages, the login page and the signed-in Species database grid at desktop (1400 CSS pixels) and mobile (390 CSS pixels) widths. It also covered expanded information sections, the Home menus, the database column manager at desktop width and the Download Agreement at both widths.

No automated rule violations were found on the 14 information pages in the tested states. Findings remained in the database, including the problems described above. The login page was flagged for its missing main heading. A page with no automated findings is not necessarily fully accessible.

Additional checks covered selected database keyboard interactions and the agreement's keyboard focus order. Other database categories, complete record journeys, downloaded files and assistive-technology use were outside this check.

This was a technical self-assessment. It did not include a full assessment with screen readers, speech input or other assistive technology, or a review of downloadable documents and translated content.

We will review this statement at least once a year and after a substantial change. The SeedPOD team will update it when testing is completed or a known accessibility issue changes.