Arts and Disability Awards: Organisation Achievements
This page tracks the achievements of organisations on the Audit and Improvement element of the Arts and Disability Access Awards programme. These organisations are working with us to identify goals to improve accessibility, and have made concrete gains in this area.
We will update this page periodically to reflect this ongoing work, to celebrate these organisations, and to provide inspiration and examples for other organisations.
Belfast Children's Festival
- Amended language and formatting on website and social media
- Added more contact options, and a new system for receiving access requests.
- Added venue accessibility information to website
- Provided sensory information about performances on website
- Provided name badges for staff and volunteers
- Had volunteers on hand at events to assist with feedback forms
- Had British Sign Language at multiple events
Lyric Theatre
- Took part in ‘Making the Arts Accessible’ training course.
- Added a portable hearing loop system for front of house and payment desk
- Created a monthly ongoing access blog with updates on screenings with disability themes, and with access provisions (e.g., descriptive subtitles)
- Committed to providing printed materials in large print versions
- Committed to adding image descriptions on new website and in social media.
Queen's Film Theatre
- Took part in ‘Making the Arts Accessible’ training course.
- Added a portable hearing loop system for front of house and payment desk
- Created a monthly ongoing access blog with updates on screenings with disability themes, and with access provisions (e.g., descriptive subtitles)
- Committed to providing printed materials in large print versions
- Committed to adding image descriptions on new website and in social media.
QSS Studios and Gallery
- Created access rider to use with artists
- Updated and reorganised access information on website
- Committed to include image descriptions on social media
- Committed to include large print exhibition information with recommended fonts and colours
- Took part in ‘Making the Arts Accessible’ training course.
NI Science Festival
- Included British Sign Language interpretation at several events on Belfast and Derry (Art Cure, Maddie Moate, Marie Cassidy, Alice Roberts, Are You Really The Doctor, Gina Rippom)
- Added disability awareness section to volunteer induction
- Created neurodiversity-friendly events as part of the Festival
- Added accessibility question to evaluation form.
Circusful
- Added image descriptions description to all images on social media and Circusful website.
- Added high contrast colour signage inside the Circusful building.
- Improved the accessibility section on the Circusful website.
- Took part in ‘Making the Arts Accessible’ training course.
Crescent Arts Centre
- Needs year one information
- Added image descriptions description to all images on social media and Circusful website.
- Added high contrast colour signage inside the Circusful building.
- Improved the accessibility section on the Circusful website.
- Took part in ‘Making the Arts Accessible’ training course.
F.E. McWilliam Gallery and Studio
- Committed to using access riders with all artists.
- Added contrast stair nosings to external steps
- Committed to create venue map
- Made on-site written materials more accessible (applying standards to exhibition signage and information)
- Added accessibility page to website
- Took part in ‘Making the Arts Accessible’ training course.
EastSide Arts
- Committed to using access riders with all artists.
- Organised Introduction to British Sign Language training for all staff.
- Commissioned an Access Information Video of C.S. Lewis Square.
- Took part in ‘Making the Arts Accessible’ training course.
Golden Thread Gallery
- Added image descriptions to Golden Thread’s social media and website, and committed to using these in the future.
- Commissioned an Access Information Video of Golden Thread Gallery.
- Took part in ‘Making the Arts Accessible’ training course.
- Committed to using access riders for freelancers, volunteers and regular staff at Golden Thread.
- Committed to providing large print gallery guides as standard across events and exhibitions.
Millennium Forum
- Added image descriptions to Golden Thread’s social media and website, and committed to using these in the future.
- Commissioned an Access Information Video of Golden Thread Gallery.
- Took part in ‘Making the Arts Accessible’ training course.
- Committed to using access riders for freelancers, volunteers and regular staff at Golden Thread.
- Committed to providing large print gallery guides as standard across events and exhibitions.
Oh Yeah Music Centre
- Added visual and tactile contrast ‘nosing’ to back stairs.
- Placed accessibility link on homepage, updated accessibility page with relevant information, and added accessibility request form.
- Added Accessibility Information Videos to website.
- Took part in ‘Making the Arts Accessible’ training course.
Vault Artist Studios
Produced and added colour-coded signage throughout the building.
- Added an A3 map of the building next to the entrance.
- Added contrasts and marking to the front door of Marlborough House.
- Created a global accessibility checklist for any new building Vault moves into or rooms it uses.
- Added an accessibility page on the Vault website, with information about how to get to the building and how to make accessibility requests.
- Created a process and template for making accessibility requests in advance of bookings and events.
- Created an Access Rider Policy and a form for staff, members of the studio and anyone Vault works with in the future.
- Committing to upholding accessible guidelines for social media posts.
- Took part in ‘Making the Arts Accessible’ training course.
The MAC
- Applied unsuccessfully for Blue Badge parking space
- Added highlight stickers to glass windows and doors
- Created physical takeaway venue maps
- Updated recruitment practices (advance notice about panel, photos of room, information about interview structure, 30 minutes preparation time)
- Added more information to accessibility page, provided email for access requests
- Made free earplugs available at box office
- Organised level 1 BSL course for 4 staff members