Access statement

The purpose of this statement is to provide the ways in which we aim to make Kirkstall Art Trail accessible.

Online design

Website design

Kirkstall Art Trail aims to provide a fully accessible website.

We do this by making sure that we are compliant with the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative. In brief, this means ensuring that written web content and visual design is accessible for people with disabilities.
We do this by:

• Providing informative, unique page titles. All our webpages have relevant titles followed by the organisations name. E.g. Frequently Asked Questions – Kirkstall Art Trail.
• Using headings to convey meaning and structure. We use short headings to group related paragraphs and clearly describe the sections. Web browsers, plug-ins, and assistive technologies can use them to provide in-page navigation.
• Making link text meaningful. We will ensure that all link text is uniform, underlined, and descriptive as to what the link leads to. For example, ‘please visit the volunteer page to find out how.’ The link describes the page to which it leads.
• Writing meaningful text alternatives (alt text) for images. For every image, we write alt text that provides the information or function of the image. We make sure that this alt text is clear and concise.
• Creating transcripts and captions for multimedia.
• Providing clear instructions. We do this by ensuring that instructions, guidance, and error messages are clear and easy to understand. We also avoid unnecessarily technical language.
• Keeping content clear and concise. We do this by using plain English in our content. We use a language editor to help us achieve this. (Creative writing, such as poetry, and interviews are exempt from this).
• Providing sufficient contrast between the foreground and background. We use a colour contrast checker in our design, we do not favour a dark or light colour scheme. We have ensured that our website responds when a user adapts their web browser to suit their needs.
• Not using colour alone to convey information. For example, we use an asterisk in addition to colour to indicate required form fields.
• Providing clear and consistent navigation options. Navigation across all our pages has consistent naming, styling, and positioning. We also have more than one method of website navigation. In the footer of the website, for example, there are both a site search and a site map.
• Providing easily identifiable feedback. We provide feedback on interactions when using forms. We provide easily identifiable instructions. We provide alerts with error labels when something goes wrong. We provide confirmation when a form is submitted.
• Using headings and spacing to group related content. We ensure that we use headings to group related content and reduce clutter to make it easier to scan and understand.
• Using responsive web design. We test and check that all our pages work on desktops, tablets, and mobiles.

Use the ‘how to’ guides on AbilityNet’s My Computer, My Way to make your device easier to use.

Newsletter design

We use Mailchimp to create our email Newsletters.  We ensure that we:

• Structure our emails properly. We use correct headline attributes and make use of Mailchimp’s responsive web design.
• Keep our content clear and concise. We use a language editor to help us achieve this. We make sure that all our link text is meaningful.
• Use colour contrast. We make sure that our colour scheme has sufficient contrast.
• Use alt text for images. We make sure that alt text is clear and concise and provides the correct information or function of the image.

Communication

Individual access guides on venue pages

In 2024, we created access guides for venues for the first time. You can find these on individual venue pages. They were incomplete, and we aim to improve on what we started. We will continue to work with venues and will review them each year.

• In 2025 we created guidance for host venues to help them with describing their venues.
• We have made these access guides uniform and easier to understand and use.
• There is a photo of the venue, showing the entrance, at the top of the page.
• Next to the photo is a menu with at least five categories. This is where you will find much more in-depth detail about the accessibility of each venue. See the examples below.

Interactive map

We launched an interactive map in 2024. This included extra information that we would not be able to put on a paper one. We will review the map markers each year to keep the information up to date.

We also use interactive maps for the Advent Trail and Poetry Trail.

• The map shows where points of interest are. It also provides much more detail than the paper map.
• Clicking a map marker will open a pop-up window, where you will find more information and useful links. For example, toilet map markers show extra details about the facilities available.
• There is a key to what each of the markers represents and how to use the map navigation tools.
• All of our interactive maps can be navigated using a keyboard. There are instructions on how to use keyboard navigation below the map.
• We have not checked the map with assistive technology. As such, we cannot guarantee that the map will work with screen readers.
• We recognise that this map may be restrictive for users with some impairments.

Visit the 2025 Art Trail Map to see how it works.

Visitor Information

The ‘Plan Your Visit‘ page gives a breakdown of both detailed and summary information. This can help visitors to the trail plan their trip. Users can jump to sections using the menu at the top. We will review and update the page before the 2025 Art Trail.

• We give clear travel information, with links to local journey planners.
• We give a summary of the interactive map features and links to both that and the downloadable map PDF.
• We give a summary of what to find on venue pages and in the access guides. There is a link to the Venue Directory.
• There is a summary of what the artist entries are and where to find them. There is a link to both the Artist Directory and Activities Directory.
• We provide details about our signage, its appearance, and how visitors can find the venues.
• We summarise where visitors can find the toilets.
• We summarise where visitors can find refreshments.
• We give detailed information about where to get help and assistance, and about wellness spaces.

Alternative application forms and reasonable adjustments

We can provide and accept alternative methods to apply to all roles with Kirkstall Art Trail. Where practicable we can also make reasonable adjustments. You can read more details about what this entails in our article, Making Kirkstall Art Trail Accessible.

Frequently asked questions

The frequently asked questions are detailed questions about the Art Trail, collated into topics for ease of use. Topics include making an application, how to prepare, what to expect, and information for the hosts. We have also condensed both our Environment and Access statements into FAQs for visitors.

Representation

Arts Together Leeds

We are members of Arts Together, a growing network of arts and community partners. Working to ensure that the arts in Leeds are as welcoming and accessible as possible for everyone. By attending regular meetings and events, it helps us to share and learn about best practices.

Disabled representation at Kirkstall Art Trail

• We have disabled representation on the organising committee. We aim to make sure that there is ongoing representation.
• We encourage disabled artists to apply for all roles.
• We encourage disabled visitors to attend.

Review

The policy was last reviewed on 25 July 2025.