Cultivating accessibility: helping to make RBGE’s digital spaces as inclusive as their gardens

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) is a leading botanic garden and a global centre for biodiversity science, horticulture and education. Founded in 1670, it combines public gardens with global research capabilities, working to protect biodiversity and connect people with the natural world - both on-site and online.

As part of a broader digital accessibility commitment, RBGE engaged us through a contract covering multiple websites, web applications, and mobile apps. Our role has been to carry out in-depth accessibility audits and provide practical support at every stage of the process.

Laying the groundwork: auditing the existing digital landscape

We’ve been working with RBGE since 2020. During that time, we’ve audited their digital estate - including the main site, online shop, blog and LMS (Learning Management System). This groundwork gave both us and RBGE a clear understanding of the accessibility issues that needed to be addressed as they prepared to redesign their website.

Design for all: early accessibility insights that made a difference

In 2024, RGBE began the process of redesigning their website. Before development started, we were asked to review the site designs. This meant looking beyond visual polish and focusing on the user experience from an accessibility point of view.

By identifying potential issues early, we helped the team make design adjustments before build - saving time and preventing more complex fixes later.

Putting it all to the test: full WCAG audit after launch

Once the site was built, we conducted a thorough WCAG 2.2 AA audit. This included:

• Manual testing by experienced accessibility specialists
• Testing key user journeys using screen readers and keyboard-only navigation
• Checking forms, interactive elements, and dynamic content against success criteria

The audit confirmed that the site was in strong shape overall, thanks in part to the early design-stage review. We flagged a few minor issues, provided detailed guidance, and worked with the development team to resolve everything smoothly.

Growing together: continuing the accessibility journey together

Through early design reviews, detailed audits, and ongoing guidance, we helped deliver a website that offers a better experience for all users.

Looking ahead, we continue to collaborate closely with RBGE, supporting them as they maintain and improve accessibility across their digital platforms. This experience reflects our broader work across arts and culture, helping organisations create digital experiences that are inclusive and engaging for all audiences.