This year, for 2024, we have been working behind the scenes to make Kirkstall Art Trail a more inclusive and welcoming place to visit. We want to make the Trail as accessible for people as we can. Where everyone feels art is for them, no matter their background.

To do this we started with the website. We use an accessibility plugin. This helps people change how the website looks,  to make it comfortable to view and easier to use. We have used a language filter, to ensure that our communication is easier to understand. There are also other elements we have used which are covered in our Website Accessibility Statement.  

The next project that we had to tackle was providing accessible information about the Trail itself. 
We have put together a page called ‘Access For All’, which will be our Visitor Information page. It is split into sections that give the visitor information and explanations. 

The first section is a welcome. It reads: 

We are dedicated to helping you make better informed decisions before your visit. On this page you will find information that can help you plan your visit to Kirkstall Art Trail. 

Visiting Kirkstall Art Trail is free, but there may be a small charge for some of the activities. You will find these marked on the map. We recommend bringing some money with you, if you wish to buy from the artists. There are always plenty of fabulous creative wares to choose from.

The second section is ‘Getting to Kirkstall’. This gives the visitor information about public transport, bikes and car parks. There will also be links to journey planners to assist visitors . 

The third section is ‘Maps’. Kirkstall Art Trail produces a map each year, with the venue number and address. There will be printed maps available on the day. There will also be a map online, a link to it will be in this section. The online map will show extras that cannot fit on a paper map, such as bus stops, toilets, venues, disabled car park spaces and refreshment stops. 

The fourth section is ‘Our Venues’. This is an important section, a link to the venue directory will be in this section. There are separate web-pages for each of our venues. These are numbered the same as they appear on the map. The what3words for each venue address is included on these pages.
There are descriptions for each venue, and this should help with planning a visit. Descriptors come under the following headings and these are:

• Type of venue: what type of building it is, e.g. business, residential, heritage etc.
• Access: a description of access into the venue, such as steps, the ground level and surface, and doors. Sadly not all venues will be wheelchair friendly.
• Dog friendly: whether dogs are allowed inside the venue. If it has been provided, there may be extra relevant information.
• Toilets: whether there are toilets, whether they are accessible, and if there are baby changing units
• Refreshments: whether there are any refreshments available. If it has been provided, there may be extra relevant information.

The fifth section is ‘Our Artists’. This is about the artists and what the descriptions about them mean. There is a directory where they are all listed, a link to it will be in this section. 

The sixth section is ‘Signage’. This section explains how venues can be spotted and what this branding looks like. We also show an example of the Numbered signs, found at each venue, and explain what they mean. 

The seventh section is ‘Toilets’. We explain that there are limited access to toilets in individual venues. But we do let visitors know where they can find them.  There is also a changing places toilet that will be open at Abbey House Museum. 

The eighth section is ‘Refreshments’. This mentions that visitors can find these marked on the map. 

The ninth section is ‘Wellness Spaces’. We have recommended that the quietest time to visit is at 11am each day. We have also listed venues that are prepared for visitors who may become overwhelmed for whatever reason. At these locations they can find designated quiet spaces, and staff or artists who will be welcoming.  

We look forward to showing visitors all the links and pages once they are live. We hope that this information is helpful for visitors, and opens the Trail up to people who may have felt excluded before. We always welcome feedback and suggestions that can help us improve.