Accessibility Statement

1. Who We Are

Retreat Into Wellness is a business partnership operated by [INSERT THE FULL LEGAL NAMES OF BOTH PARTNERS], trading as Retreat Into Wellness.

Our principal business address is:

In this statement, “Retreat Into Wellness”, “we”, “us” and “our” mean the partners operating the Retreat Into Wellness partnership.

2. Our Accessibility Commitment

We want disabled people and people with health, mobility, sensory, communication or learning requirements to have fair access to our information and services.

We aim to:

• identify barriers that may affect disabled visitors and guests;
• consider accessibility before introducing new services or website features;
• respond constructively to requests for reasonable adjustments;
• provide information in an alternative format where reasonably possible;
• check the suitability of retreat venues before confirming individual requirements;
• avoid assumptions about what a person can or cannot do;
• offer adaptations or alternatives where reasonably possible; and
• learn from accessibility feedback and complaints.

3. This Website

This statement applies to the public Retreat Into Wellness website at:

retreatintowellness.com

The website provides information about retreats, courses, treatments, wellness experiences, booking arrangements and contact details.

The website does not currently contain:

• an online contact form;
• an online booking form;
• an online customer account;
• an online checkout; or
• a newsletter subscription form.

Visitors may contact Michael or Stephanie by telephone, WhatsApp or email instead.

4. Website Features We Aim to Provide

5. Website Accessibility Limitations

We continue to review the website, but we do not claim that every page or component has been independently audited or formally certified as fully compliant with a particular accessibility standard.

Potential limitations may include:

• older photographs that have limited alternative text;
• decorative images or complex gallery layouts;
• PDF documents that may not be fully compatible with every assistive technology;
• third-party Joomla extensions or template components;
• content supplied by external venues or travel providers;
• external websites reached through links;
• some decorative colour combinations; and
• older content created before the current website was rebuilt.

Please report a page or feature that creates difficulty so that we can investigate it and consider a suitable alternative.

6. Using the Website With Assistive Technology

We aim for the website to support common browser and device accessibility functions, including:

• browser text enlargement;
• device zoom;
• keyboard navigation where supported by the Joomla template and extensions;
• screen-reader interpretation of ordinary page text;
• mobile accessibility settings; and
• high-contrast or personalised browser settings.

Compatibility can vary according to the browser, device, assistive technology, Joomla template and third-party components being used.

Tell us what information you need and which format or technology you use if a page does not work for you.

7. Alternative Formats

Where reasonably possible, we will consider requests for information in an alternative format.

This may include:

• an ordinary text email;
• a simplified written summary;
• information provided by telephone;
• larger text;
• a document suitable for enlargement;
• information divided into shorter sections;
• additional explanation of booking information; or
• another practical format agreed with the person requesting it.

The time required will depend on the amount and complexity of the information and the requested format.

8. Retreat and Course Venues

Retreat Into Wellness uses different venues for residential retreats, courses, workshops and European experiences.

Accessibility can vary significantly between venues because of:

• the age and construction of the building;
• steps, slopes and uneven surfaces;
• bedroom and bathroom layouts;
• door widths and corridors;
• the availability of lifts or ground-floor rooms;
• parking and drop-off arrangements;
• distance between rooms and activity spaces;
• outdoor terrain;
• lighting and acoustics;
• emergency exits; and
• features controlled by the venue owner.

9. Information to Discuss Before Booking

Please tell us about relevant access requirements as early as possible.

Helpful information may include:

• wheelchair or mobility-aid use;
• difficulty using stairs or walking long distances;
• need for a ground-floor bedroom;
• bathroom, shower or toilet requirements;
• transfer or seating requirements;
• visual or hearing impairment;
• communication requirements;
• learning disability, autism or cognitive requirements;
• fatigue, pain or the need for additional rest;
• dietary or allergy requirements;
• assistance from a companion or support worker;
• assistance-animal requirements;
• emergency evacuation needs; and
• anything else that may affect safe and comfortable participation.

You do not need to provide an entire medical history. We ask only for information reasonably relevant to the adjustment, safety or service being considered.

10. How to Request an Adjustment

Where a third-party venue is involved, we may need to contact the venue before confirming what can be provided.

11. Reasonable Adjustments

We will consider reasonable steps to prevent a disabled person being placed at a substantial disadvantage.

Depending on the circumstances, an adjustment may include:

• providing information in another format;
• allowing additional time to understand booking information;
• adjusting communication methods;
• changing the order or format of an activity;
• providing a suitable chair or seated alternative;
• adapting a yoga or movement session;
• allowing additional rest breaks;
• allocating a more suitable room where available;
• changing a treatment position;
• using a reasonably suitable alternative activity;
• allowing support from a companion where appropriate;
• using another reasonably suitable venue where practicable; or
• another adjustment agreed with the guest.

What is reasonable will depend on the individual circumstances, the effectiveness of the adjustment, practicality, safety, available facilities, cost, resources and the nature of the service.

12. Charges for Adjustments

A disabled guest will not be charged specifically for a reasonable adjustment that Retreat Into Wellness is legally required to provide.

This does not mean that every related service must always be free. Ordinary charges may still apply where a guest chooses a separately priced service, room upgrade, additional night, private transport or other optional arrangement that is not itself a required reasonable adjustment.

We will explain any proposed cost before an arrangement is confirmed.

13. Limits on Adjustments

We will consider requests carefully, but an adjustment may not be possible where it would:

• be ineffective in removing the relevant disadvantage;
• create a serious and unavoidable safety risk;
• fundamentally change the nature of the booked service;
• require facilities or professional support that are not available;
• conflict with an essential venue or legal requirement;
• cause disproportionate disruption to the service or other guests; or
• not be reasonable in the circumstances after the relevant factors have been considered.

Where a requested adjustment cannot reasonably be provided, we will consider whether another practical option or alternative service is available.

A decision will not be based merely on assumptions about a person’s disability.

14. Yoga, Movement and Group Activities

Gentle yoga, movement, walking and other activities may be adapted where reasonably possible.

Possible adaptations may include:

• chair-based participation;
• a reduced range of movement;
• additional rest periods;
• alternative positions;
• the use of suitable supports;
• observing rather than physically taking part; or
• an alternative activity where available.

Not every activity can be adapted for every condition without creating an unreasonable risk or fundamentally changing the activity.

Please also read our Health and Wellness Disclaimer .

15. Treatments and Therapies

Massage, reflexology and other treatments may be adapted depending on the practitioner’s training, insurance, equipment and the guest’s needs.

Adaptations may include:

• a seated treatment;
• a different treatment position;
• additional time to move safely;
• avoiding a particular area;
• adjusting pressure or treatment duration; or
• offering another suitable treatment.

A treatment may need to be postponed or declined where it cannot safely or appropriately be provided.

16. Assistance Animals

Tell us before booking if you intend to attend with an assistance animal.

We will discuss:

• venue access;
• bedroom and dining arrangements;
• exercise and toileting areas;
• travel or transfer arrangements;
• the nature of planned activities;
• the needs of the assistance animal; and
• any genuine health, safety or animal-welfare issue.

Where a third-party venue is used, we may need to confirm arrangements with the venue before the booking is completed.

17. Companions, Carers and Support Workers

A guest may ask to attend with a companion, carer or support worker.

Arrangements will depend on:

• the level of support required;
• available accommodation and capacity;
• whether the companion will participate in activities or meals;
• the venue’s facilities;
• privacy and safeguarding considerations; and
• the reasonable adjustment required.

Any accommodation, meal or participation cost will be discussed before booking. No charge will be made merely for an adjustment that Retreat Into Wellness is legally required to provide.

18. Transport and European Retreats

Transport accessibility can vary between airlines, coaches, taxis, transfer providers, airports and railway operators.

Guests considering a European retreat should disclose relevant mobility and assistance requirements before booking so that:

• available assistance can be investigated;
• flight and transfer suitability can be considered;
• hotel accessibility can be checked;
• equipment arrangements can be discussed; and
• the guest can make an informed decision before payment.

Separate transport providers may require advance notice and additional information under their own procedures.

19. Emergency Arrangements

Relevant emergency and evacuation needs should be discussed before attendance.

This may include:

• difficulty using stairs;
• hearing an alarm;
• understanding verbal instructions;
• moving without assistance;
• use of mobility equipment; or
• the need for an agreed personal emergency arrangement.

Emergency arrangements may be controlled partly by the venue. We may need to obtain further information from the venue before confirming suitability.

20. Personal Information

Information about disability, health and accessibility may be special-category personal information.

We will request only information reasonably needed to consider:

• suitability;
• reasonable adjustments;
• venue access;
• safe participation;
• dietary arrangements; or
• emergency planning.

Information will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Notice.

Relevant details may be shared with a venue, practitioner, caterer or transport provider where reasonably necessary to investigate or provide an agreed adjustment.

21. Reporting a Website Accessibility Problem

Please tell us if you experience difficulty:

• reading text;
• using a menu or link;
• understanding a page;
• accessing a document;
• viewing an image or gallery;
• using the website with a keyboard;
• using assistive technology; or
• obtaining information in a suitable format.

When reporting an issue, it is helpful to include:

• the page or document concerned;
• what you were trying to do;
• the difficulty encountered;
• the browser, device or assistive technology used; and
• the format or solution that would help.

22. Accessibility Complaints

We aim to respond constructively to accessibility concerns.

Where you believe that a request has not been considered properly, you may make a complaint under our Complaints Policy.

Please explain:

• the service or website feature involved;
• the disadvantage experienced;
• the adjustment requested;
• the response received; and
• the outcome you are seeking.

23. Review of This Statement

We will review this statement when significant changes are made to:

• the website or Joomla template;
• online functionality;
• the services offered;
• the venues regularly used;
• the way bookings are managed; or
• relevant legal or accessibility guidance.

We will also consider feedback received from website visitors, guests and other people affected by our services.