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.

This is achieved by ensuring compliance with the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative. In brief, this means ensuring that written web content and visual design are accessible for people with disabilities. The approach includes:

• providing informative, unique page titles – all webpages have relevant titles followed by the organisation’s name, for example, Frequently asked questions – Kirkstall Art Trail
• using headings to convey meaning and structure – short headings group related paragraphs and clearly describe each section; web browsers, plug-ins, and assistive technologies can use them to provide in-page navigation
• making link text meaningful – link text is uniform, underlined, and descriptive of the destination, for example, ‘visit the website accessibility statement to see more’, where the link text matches the destination
• writing meaningful text alternatives (alt text) for images – for every image, alt text provides the image’s information or function, written clearly and concisely
• creating transcripts and captions for multimedia, to help people who cannot hear audio or view video content
• providing clear instructions – instructions, guidance, and error messages are written to be clear and easy to understand, avoiding unnecessary technical language
• keeping content clear and concise – written in plain English, following GOV.UK writing guidelines, with occasional review (creative writing, interviews, and artist bios are exempt from this)
• providing sufficient contrast between the foreground and background – a colour contrast checker supports both dark and light colour schemes, so the website responds when a visitor adapts their web browser to suit their needs
• not using colour alone to convey information – for example, an asterisk is used alongside colour to indicate required form fields
• ensuring that interactive elements are easy to identify (keyboard accessibility) – where possible, the keyboard focus indicator is visible, helping anyone who relies on a keyboard to see which component they’re interacting with at any point
• providing clear and consistent navigation options – naming, styling, and positioning stay consistent across all pages, alongside multiple navigation methods, including a site map and a site search in the footer
• providing easily identifiable feedback – forms include clear instructions and interaction updates; when errors occur, specific labels alert the visitor, and a confirmation message is always shown once a form is submitted successfully
• using headings and spacing to group related content, to reduce clutter and make pages easier to scan and understand
• using responsive web design – all pages are tested and checked to work on desktops, tablets, and mobile devices

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

Newsletter design

We us Sender to create email newsletters, and follows these accessibility standards:

• structuring emails properly – we use correct headline attributes and Sender’s responsive templates
• keeping content clear and concise – written in plain English, following GOV.UK writing guidelines, with occasional review; we ensure all link text is meaningful
• using colour contrast – we make sure the colour scheme has sufficient contrast
• using alt text for images – we make sure alt text is clear and concise and provides the correct information or function of the image
• testing emails – we test all email newsletters for errors before they’re sent to subscribers

Communication

Individual access guides on venue pages

In 2024, access guides for venues were created for the first time. These can be found after the artist entries on individual venue pages. There are still gaps to complete, and we aim to keep improving what was started. We will continue working with venues and will review the guides each year.

• For 2025, we provided new guidance to help host venues describe their spaces more effectively.
• We have made these access guides more uniform and easier to use.
• There is a photo of the venue, showing the entrance.
• Next to the photo is a menu with at least five categories, covering the full address and in-depth accessibility detail for each venue.

Accessibility is often treated as a single category, focused on wheelchair use. In reality, access needs are individual and varied – what’s manageable for one person may not be for another. Rather than labelling a venue as simply ‘accessible’ or ‘not’, these guides provide specific detail, such as step heights, grab rail positions, and surface types, so each visitor can judge for themselves what will work for them.

Two examples are shown below – one for a public venue, and one for a private house.

Example for a public venue

Full address+

Hollybush Conservation Centre, Broad Lane, Kirkstall, Leeds LS5 3BP

Venue description+

Venue type

Community – conservation centre

Split over several areas – the Barn, the Classroom, the Roundhouse, the shelter, and the garden.

Approach

• Hollybush is a two-minute walk from Kirkstall Bridge Shopping Park, across the Kirkstall Bridge.
• Do not use the wooden gate at the front of the building, facing the road.
• The main entrance is via the driveway.
• There are a small number of Blue Badge parking spaces.
• The driveway and car park are surfaced with tarmac.
• There is a clearly marked pathway painted in a contrasting colour to guide pedestrians.
• There is a wooden gate into Hollybush at the end of the driveway.

Inside Hollybush

• Access is step-free and wheelchair-accessible.
• The garden pathway consists of block paving and flagstones.
• The surface transitions to wood chip and packed earth towards the rear of the garden.
• Their facilities also include a bike shed – bring your own lock.

The garden is shown below.

Quiet space+

If you become overwhelmed by the Art Trail, Hollybush has a dedicated quiet space where you can take some time out.

• The quiet space can be found in the garden. 
• It is on the right-hand side as you walk past the Roundhouse and the polytunnels.

The entrance gate is shown below.

• You can also find quiet in the polytunnel next to the small yard.
• As it is a greenhouse, it can become uncomfortably hot on sunny days.
• There are entrances at either end of the polytunnel.

The polytunnel is shown below.

Dogs+

• Both assistance dogs and pet dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead.
• Dog water bowls are available at the front entrance of the café.

Toilets+

The facilities include:

• separate male and female toilets in the café
• one gender-inclusive accessible toilet in the café
• three gender-inclusive accessible toilets in the toilet block
• baby changing

The toilet block is shown below.

Food and drink+

• There is a café at Hollybush, located next to the Barn.
• The menu includes lunches, options for children, and a variety of baked goods.
• Vegan and gluten-free options are available.
• Hot and cold drinks are served, and milk alternatives are available.
• Counter service.
• The entrance is low and situated under a flight of stone steps.
• The door has a width of 90 cm and a height of 180 cm.

The café entrance is shown below.

The café is managed by Café 21, part of Sunshine and Smiles, the Leeds Down Syndrome Network. The café is run by and for people with Down’s syndrome, to provide training and work experience that leads to job opportunities.

Example for a private house

Full address+

Norman View, Kirkstall, Leeds LS5 3JJ

Venue description+

Venue type

Private residence – back-to-back terraced house.

Approach

• The pavement has recently been resurfaced with tarmac and is on a steep hill.
• There is a metal gate into the garden, 115 cm high and wide, with the latch on the left-hand side.
• There is one step up into the garden, 7 cm high.
• There is a concrete path towards the house.

Entrance

• The front door will be unlocked, with the handle on the right-hand side, and opens inwards.
• There is a step up into a small porch, 20 cm high.
• There is a door sill that extends out by 7 cm, with the threshold 7 cm high and wide.
• There is a grab rail on the left-hand side of the exterior wall, and a metal gate on the right-hand side.

Interior

• There is an interior door that opens inwards, with a step up into the room, 20 cm high.
• There is a grab rail on the right-hand side.
• There is carpet on the floor, with a rug secured to avoid trip hazards.
• Seating is available.

Dogs+

• Both assistance dogs and pets dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead.
• A small friendly dog lives here.
• Check with the venue owner before entering.
• Only one dog is allowed at a time.
• A water bowl is available at the front door.
• There is a clearly labelled bin available for disposing of dog waste in the garden.

Toilets+

Not available at this venue.

Food and drink+

Not available at this venue.

Interactive map

An interactive map was launched in 2024, including extra information that couldn’t be included on a paper map. Following visitor feedback that it was difficult to use, especially on a small screen, the Art Trail map was split from general amenities. General amenities was further split into its own map and a list below it, covering places to eat and bicycle stands. The amenities map is reviewed annually to keep its information up to date.

Interactive maps are also used 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 opens a pop-up window with more information and useful links – for example, toilet map markers show extra details about the facilities available.
• How to use the map, including the marker key, is covered in the guide to using interactive maps – not every map has a key, so this guide is the single place to check for any of them.
• The maps can be navigated using a keyboard, and all links, including those in pop-ups, are focus visible.
• We have not checked the maps with assistive technology, so we cannot guarantee they will work with screen readers.
• We recognise that this map may be restrictive for users with some impairments.

A note on keyboard navigation. It takes a lot of key presses to move around some maps, which can be difficult for anyone who finds repeated movements tiring. To reduce reliance on this, the same information is also available as text – for example, venue pages list the address and artists directly, and travel information is available on the Plan Your Visit page.

Visit the 2026 Art Trail map or the Kirkstall Art Trail amenities page to see how they work.

Wheelchair-friendly route

For 2026, a wheelchair-friendly route connected eleven accessible venues across the Art Trail, covering almost 70% of exhibiting artists. The route was divided into two sections, so the full route or just one part could be completed. We aim to keep improving how the route functions, informed by real-world feedback from wheelchair users. Visit the 2026 wheelchair-friendly route page to see the route.

Visitor Information

The plan your visit page provides essential details for visitors. The page contents (menu) at the top of the page links to each section. We will review and update the page before the 2027 Art Trail.

• We give clear travel information, with links to local journey planners.
• We summarise the features of the Art Trail map and the amenities map, with links to each and a downloadable PDF of the printed version.
• We mention the wheelchair-friendly route, with a link to find out more.
• We summarise what to find on venue pages and in the access guides, including a link to the Venue Directory.
• We summarise what artist and activity entries contain and where to find them, with links to the artist directory and activity directory.
• We provide details about our signage, its appearance, and how visitors can find the venues.
• We summarise where visitors can find toilets.
• We summarise where visitors can find refreshments.
• We give detailed information about where to get support, and about wellness spaces.

Alternative application forms and reasonable adjustments

Alternative ways to apply for any role with Kirkstall Art Trail are available on request. Reasonable adjustments are also made where practicable. Read more in call-out 2026 – application and accessibility. This article is reviewed annually and a new one is posted for that year.

Supporting artists through the process

Regular emails guide artists step by step through preparing for the Art Trail, from application through to the event itself. Each covers one stage of the process, including:

• agreeing to the terms and conditions, and confirming venue and activity details
• reviewing artist profile and activity directory entries before publication
• Public liability insurance requirements, with recommended providers
• promotional support, including branded assets and printed materials
• health and safety information ahead of the event weekend

Reminders are sent to anyone who has not yet responded, so no one is left unsure of what’s needed or when.

The terms and conditions are available in a Plain English version, alongside a glossary explaining any terms that may be unfamiliar.

Frequently asked questions

The frequently asked questions page is organised into four sections, linked by a menu at the top: information for artists, information for hosts, Fashion Show, and accessibility and environment.

The first three guide artists, hosts, and Fashion Show participants step by step through applying, preparing, and taking part.

The accessibility and environment section serves two purposes. It gives artists, hosts, and Fashion Show participants the same information within the FAQs, alongside everything else specific to their role. It also acts as a summary for visitors who land on the FAQs looking for this information, with links out to the full access statement and environmental sustainability commitment for more detail.

Representation

Arts Together Leeds

Kirkstall Art Trail is a member of Arts Together Leeds, a growing network of arts and community partners working to make the arts in Leeds as welcoming and accessible as possible for everyone. Attending regular meetings and events helps us share and learn about best practice.

Disabled representation at Kirkstall Art Trail

• We have disabled representation on the organising committee, and aim to keep this ongoing.
• We encourage disabled artists to apply for all roles.
• We encourage disabled visitors to attend.

Monitor and review

This statement is reviewed annually, ahead of the Art Trail. It is also updated when triggered by structural changes to referenced pages, new or changed features such as the interactive maps, direct feedback from visitors, artists, or hosts, and outdated years or broken links – tracked through our website links checklist.

Review

The policy was last reviewed on 17 August 2026.