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:

  • 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. An example could be, ‘Please visit the volunteer page to find out how.’
  • 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 communication. We use a language editor to help us achieve this. (Creative writing, such as poetry, and interviews are exempt from this).

We also do the following:

  • Use an accessibility widget. This enables website users to view our pages in a way that is comfortable for their needs. There are further details about the accessibility widget in our Website Accessibility Statement.
  • Use responsive web design. We check that all our pages work on desktops, tablets, and mobiles

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. Mailchimp does not have an accessibility widget, so 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.

Kirkstall Abbey

Heritage –  twelfth century Abbey ruins

●  The path into the park is tarmac and level.

●  Kirkstall Abbey, including the visitor centre and café, is all located at ground level.

●  The doorways are wide enough for wheelchair access. The entrance is automatic, opening outwards with a clear opening space.

●  The visitor centre and café have wooden floors.

●  The large metal gates next to the café will be unlocked and open for Kirkstall Art Trail. This entrance is level and is direct access into the Abbey.

●  The grounds are a mix of surfaces. These include tarmac, cobbles, grass, and gravel.

●  Please note that as Kirkstall Abbey is a heritage site some areas of the grounds are uneven.

●  A wheelchair is available from the visitor centre to borrow on your visit. You must contant them in advance of your visit to ensure the chair is available by calling 0113 378 4079 or emailing kirkstall.abbey@leeds.gov.uk.

●  Seating is available in the visitor centre and around the grounds.

●  Yes, both assistance dogs and pet dogs. Please keep on a lead.

●  Dog bowls are available at the front entrance of the visitor centre.

●  Dogs are allowed in the café. Pet dogs are not allowed in the Rose Room.

●  There are bins available for disposing of poo bags.

●  Yes, separate gender toilets and a gender neutral accessible toilet, all located in the visitor centre.

●  Facilities in the accessible toilets include handrails on both sides of the toilet, an emergency alarm, and a fire alarm with a flashing light. There is room for a wheelchair to manoeuvre and assistance. This toilet is not RADAR key operated.

●  Baby changing facilities are available in the accessible toilet in the visitor centre. Kirkstall Abbey is a breastfeeding friendly space.

●  Yes, there is a café in the visitor centre.

●  Sandwiches, cakes and bakes, hot food, and ice cream. Vegan and gluten free options are available.

●  Hot and cold drinks, milk alternatives available.

●  High chairs are available.

●  Counter service – but table service can be requested.

Lilac co-housing

Private residence – co-housing development

Walking or cycling

● There are two options to get to Lilac from Kirkstall. The map below show the routes from Hollybush.

●  It is 8 minutes from Hollybush along Broad Lane (blue route). This is a steep hill to climb.

●  There is an alternative route via Wyther Lane and Victoria Park Road, which is not as steep (red route).

●  There is secure cycle parking available inside Lilac.

By bus

●  It is a short hop on either the 91 or 49 bus from Savins Mills Way.

●  After crossing the river and travelling up the hill (Broad Lane), get off at the first stop.

●  Ask the bus driver for the Broad Lane Kirkstall Mount stop.

●  The bus stop is circled in blue. what3words location ///shiny.price.firmly

●  The two entrances are circled in pink.

Entrances

Lilac Common House – front entrance via Victoria Park Avenue ///sadly.wings.cove

 

Kirkstall Mount entrance  ///part.duke.latest

There are two entrances to the Lilac Grove Common House.

● From Victoria Park Avenue:

○ There is on-street parking.

○ Access is via a level [made from] footpath.

○ There is a XX cm tall wooden gate, which will be open.

● From Kirkstall Mount:

○ Enter via the residents’ car park (parking is not available for visitors).

○ The car park is on one level. It has a gravel surface.

○ There will be signage to direct you to the venue.

The venue is on two levels.

● The entrance has a XX cm threshold.

● The ground floor is level with a [made from] surface.

● There is a lift to the first floor.

[The lift is large enough for manual wheelchairs – it is preferable to have the following information]

● The clear door width is XX cm.

● The dimensions of the lift are XX cm x XX cm.

● There is very little turning space on the first floor for mobility scooters.

● Doors are XX cm wide [are all the doors the same width?].

● Yes, please keep on a lead.

● Please note that dogs are not allowed in the upstairs room [what is the upstairs room? Are you happy for assistance dogs to go upstairs?].

● We will however, provide somewhere safe to secure your dog, or maybe even a friendly person to look after them whilst you go upstairs. [Are you still happy to do this?]

● Yes, gender neutral accessible toilet located on ground floor.

● There are no baby change facilities available.

● Yes. Tea, coffee and cake will be available for a small donation towards the running cost of Lilac housing coop.

● Water will be freely available.

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.

  • The map shows where points of interest are. It also provides much more detail than the paper map.
  • Each map marker, when clicked upon, will reveal more information and any helpful links. For example, the toilet 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.
  • 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.

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 the Artist 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 wellness spaces.

Alternative application forms and reasonable adjustments

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

Venue videos

We hope to provide walkthroughs of larger venues for artists exhibiting there.

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.

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 12 April 2025.