If it’s not accessible, it’s not Proper Good Digital: Supporting Hull’s Freedom Festival

Freedom Festival is a pioneer in Hull’s cultural landscape, born from the reformist legacy of William Wilberforce and rooted in the exploration of democracy and human rights. Our role here was to ensure that the festival's digital presence is as inclusive and open as the physical performances on the streets of Hull.

The commitment to access at the festival is already set at a high standard. According to the 2024 Impact Report, 99% of performance spaces were wheelchair accessible, complemented by BSL interpretation and audio-described shows. When 83% of people attend because they want to feel part of a community, the "digital front door" has to reflect that. Our job is to translate that physical inclusivity to the screen, ensuring that the attendees who feel a sense of pride in the city can also engage with the festival online with ease.

The importance of web accessibility goes far beyond compliance. In the UK alone, nearly 1 in 5 people have a disability, ranging from visual and hearing impairments to motor and cognitive challenges. When a website isn't built with everyone in mind, it can exclude them. 

We’re not interested in just making things look "shiny"; we’re interested in making them work. Whether it’s making a site easy to navigate or ensuring the layout is clear and readable, the goal is the same: to make sure extraordinary art is reachable by everyone. 

We don't see accessibility as an 'extra', it's the standard. When a website is built properly, it doesn't matter who is using it or how they are accessing it; the information is just there, clear and ready to use. That’s how you keep the digital front door open for the whole community.

For us, this is the definition of "Proper Good" work.