Accessibility at Southside ReLeaf
Everyone should have the opportunity to participate.
Southside ReLeaf is committed to making our programs, services, events, and volunteer opportunities accessible and welcoming to our community.
We recognize that people can experience barriers to participation for many different reasons. A person may need an accommodation related to a disability, interpretation or translated materials, help getting to an event, support with child care, consideration for food and dietary needs, or another form of support. We strive to identify and reduce these barriers so that more people can participate fully in our work.
We plan for accessibility as part of our event planning, share what participants can expect, and work with people to identify reasonable ways to support participation. We also recognize that we can't anticipate every barrier, and welcome feedback that helps us improve.
If you need an accommodation or other support to participate in a Southside ReLeaf program, service, event, or volunteer opportunity, please complete our Accessibility & Participation Support Request form. You do not need to provide a diagnosis or medical documentation to request an accommodation. You may submit a request at any time, but we strongly encourage you to do so as early as possible so we have time to make arrangements.
Our team has completed two disability inclusion trainings (so far!), led by Shep Roper of Beyond Boundaries. These sessions strengthen our commitment to making all our programs and volunteer opportunities more accessible and welcoming.
Accessibility for People with Disabilities
Southside ReLeaf is committed to providing reasonable accommodations, auxiliary aids and services, and effective communication so people with disabilities can participate fully in our programs, services, and events, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Many Southside ReLeaf activities take place outdoors and may involve uneven ground, heat, rain, cold, walking, standing, bending, lifting, digging, and other physical activities. Accessibility can vary by location and activity. We will provide information about parking, transportation access, terrain, restrooms, and physical demands in the event description whenever possible.
We will also work to identify alternative ways to participate when a person cannot safely or comfortably complete the primary activity, such as participating in a different role, using adapted tools or equipment, or taking additional breaks.
When providing planting demonstrations or activity instructions, we will use clear explanations and, when appropriate, visual or hands-on demonstrations. We will also make reasonable efforts to provide materials in accessible formats to support effective communication and learning objectives.
If you have questions about whether a particular event will meet your access needs, please contact us at hello@southsidereleaf.org. You can also submit a request through our Accessibility & Participation Support Request form at any time. We welcome the opportunity to learn what would make participation possible.
Language Access
Our programs, events, and materials are primarily offered in English. We work with the Virginia Language Justice Collective to provide Spanish interpretation at all Southside ReLeaf educational events and provide translated materials in Spanish.
We recognize that language should not be an unnecessary barrier to participation. Translated materials and interpretation may be available upon request for many programs and events, including in Spanish, American Sign Language (ASL), or other languages. We will continue to identify opportunities to expand language access across our programs.
If you would benefit from translated materials or interpretation, please complete our Accessibility & Participation Support Request form as early as possible so we can determine available support and, when needed, identify a trusted community organization, small business, or community member to work with.
Two members of the Virginia Language Justice Collective provided Spanish interpretation at our outdoor learning classroom for the International Day of Forests in March 2026.
Transportation
Transportation can create significant barriers to participating in community events. Many of our planting sites and events are near public transit, while others may not be easily accessible by public transportation, walking, or biking. We recognize that arranging transportation can add costs.
When possible, we will provide information about transportation options, parking, and other logistics in advance. Please note that we may not always publish an event's location for safety reasons. If transportation is a barrier, please let us know through our Accessibility & Participation Support Request form so we can determine whether support or other options may be available.
Family-Friendly Events and Child Care
Children are always welcome at Southside ReLeaf events, and we welcome other family members who want to participate. Our events are family-friendly and welcoming spaces for people of all ages.
We recognize that families have different schedules and responsibilities. We plan events at a variety of times, including during the day, in the evenings, and on weekends, to create opportunities for people with different schedules to participate. Children are often part of our events, and we welcome families to participate together.
Our evening events typically include dinner for families, making it easier to participate when events take place around dinnertime.
We also recognize that child care costs can prevent participation. If child care is a barrier to participating in a Southside ReLeaf event, please complete our Accessibility & Participation Support Request form as early as possible. We will do our best to identify available options or provide support when we can.
Youth attendees at a 2025 outdoor learning classroom enjoyed independent exploring at Ernest Road Park.
Event Participation
We want participants to know what to expect when joining us. Depending on the event, we will provide or request the following information during event registration:
Food and dietary needs, including snacks and water.
On-site amenities such as restrooms and seating.
Transportation and site access, including parking, biking, nearest bus stop, and pedestrian safety.
Physical demands and activity requirements.
Weather and conditions, including heat, rain, and other factors that may affect participation.
We also consider cultural practices, sensory needs, and other factors that may affect participation. Service animals are welcome at Southside ReLeaf events. Please let us know in advance if you plan to bring an animal so we can share this information with other participants and plan for everyone's safety and comfort.
Request Support
If you have an access need or another barrier that may prevent you from participating in a Southside ReLeaf event or program, we want to hear from you. Use our Accessibility & Participation Support Request form to ask a question, describe a barrier, or request support.
You don't need a solution or a specific accommodation in mind. We'll work with you to understand what you need and identify options that may make participation possible. With your permission, we may also work with caregivers, service providers, community organizations, or other partners to identify additional support.
Please submit your request at least 72 hours in advance, or as early as possible, especially if you need interpretation, translated materials, transportation, child care, or another service that requires advance planning.
If you have an urgent accessibility question about an upcoming event, you can also contact us at hello@southsidereleaf.org or 804-446-1029 (call or text).
Southside ReLeaf is committed to continually learning about and improving accessibility across our programs, services, events, and communications. If you have feedback on how we can make an experience more accessible and inclusive, we welcome the opportunity to learn from you.