Venues awarded grants to improve accessibility

Creative venues across West Yorkshire have been awarded a £230,000 grant to improve accessibility for artists and audiences with disabilities.

A total of 17 organisations have been awarded a share of the money for improvements such as sensory-friendly spaces and accessible signage and toilets.

Alongside the grants, the accessibility programme will offer training, guidance and ongoing support to help cultural organisations improve disability equality, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) said.

Mayor Tracy Brabin added: "By transforming spaces in this way, we're helping businesses and creatives thrive in a stronger, brighter West Yorkshire that works for all."

The venues were chosen by two panels of West Yorkshire-based creative professionals with disabilities who used their experience to pinpoint improvements that would have the greatest impact.

The recipients of the latest round of funding include Chol Theatre, Kirklees, The Art House, Wakefield, the National Science and Media Museum, Bradford, and Polite Rebellion in Leeds.

Last year £60,000 was awarded to eight venues across the region, bringing the total funded support across the programme to £290,000, said the WYCA.

The grant forms part of a wider accessibility programme run by disability arts group Unlimited and is funded through the mayor's £4.2m You Can Make It Here programme.

Jo Verrent, director at Unlimited, said: "True access goes beyond physical changes - it's about understanding, confidence and culture.

"This programme supports organisations to make meaningful, lasting improvements, shaped by disabled people's lived experience."

Brabin added: "Everyone should be able to access West Yorkshire's world-class culture and creativity."

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.