Access and equity are core values of the Festival at all levels of our organisation, and we are committed to delivering a programme that is representative of the whole city and can be enjoyed by everyone. At the same time, we recognise that there are still barriers for groups in our society to be able to enjoy and participate in Festival activity.
Each year we work to break down institutional barriers and welcome everyone into conversations around our city, expanding the concept of ‘architecture’ through discovery, debate, learning and activism. Every year, we work to bring in new voices, such as those who may not have had the opportunity or confidence to engage before, platform emerging artists and designers and create a programme that spans across both the physical and the digital, ensuring there is something for everyone.
We also aim to practically reduce barriers to participation in the Festival, where possible, whether that be organising or attending events.
On this page you can find information about:
– For LFA Organisers: How to produce more Inclusive Events
– For LFA Attendees: How to know what access provisions are available at events
– How accessible is the LFA website and digital platforms
– How to get in touch to make your LFA experience better
For LFA Organisers: How to produce more Inclusive Events
If you’re running an event as part of LFA, they need to ensure they are not producing barriers for those wanting to attend or those involved at any stage of the process. At each stage of your event production and delivery, it’s key to think about what factors might restrict someone’s ability to participate, rather than being left as a last minute add on. You can find our guide to more equitable LFA events in the LFA Account Section here.
For LFA Attendees: How to know what access provisions are available at events
If you’re attending an LFA event, you can find venue and event content access information on every event listing, in the form of icons and free text sections. If you want to find out further information about an event, you can find a specific contact for each event on the event listing also.
Below are some of the icons you might find on the events or use to navigate the LFA programme. If there is anything you would like to make sure is on the list, and would make the Festival more accessible to you, let us know by emailing eliza.grosvenor@nla.london, or by giving us a call on 020 7636 4044.
Our printed LFA2025 guide is available from May 2025 from The London Centre, or our location hubs – information found on each location page. For alternative versions of the LFA guide, you will be able to find this on the LFA website once published in May or contact the LFA team for more information.
How accessible is the LFA website and digital platforms
This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to non-compliances including those listed below:
- Some older images and video do not have alt text – There’s no alt text on some of the older images or video on the website and no technical way to filter those that don’t have alt text. We add text alternatives to all images for any new content, and for older content this can be added on request.
- Some of our older PDFs and Word documents don’t meet accessibility standards – For example, they may not be structured so they’re accessible to a screen reader. We provide alternative forms of documents and forms for any new content. For any old documents that are needed in alternative formats, these can be produced on request.
If you find any problems that aren’t listed above or think we’re not meeting the requirements of the accessibility regulations, get in touch. We aim to get back to you with 7 days.
How to get in touch to make your LFA experience better
We’ve been working hard to ensure that equity is at the heart of LFA and everything we do. We acknowledge that there is more that needs to be done and are constantly reflecting and working on ways to improve. As a small team, we appreciate your understanding on this and welcome your challenge and feedback.
Over the last few years, we have:
- Created new guides for internal and external use around best practice for inclusive events, marketing and engagement with collaborators
- Commissioned our first disabled led built project and delivered an increasing number of events focusing on accessibility and the city in the June programme
- Increased the accessibility of programme and website navigation
- And increased the number of disabled members on key steering groups such as the Curation Panel, judging panels and mentors’ group – and as event organisers.
Over the next 2 years, our aims include:
- Working with our LFA organisers to see more disabled led events in the Festival programme, and support organisers in increasing the inclusivity of their their current activity
- Delivering training to all staff, in particular relation to deaf awareness, inclusive events and marketing
- Providing further support with LFA competitions, for those in underrepresented and less traditionally supported groups, working closely with those already leading the way.
- Finish updating all LFA digital content to meet the correct standards needed.
If you would like to speak to us further about our ambitions around equity and inclusion at LFA, please do email to eliza.grosvenor@nla.london or give us a call on 020 7636 4044.
Additionally, if there is any specific information you need in alternative formats, please do email to eliza.grosvenor@nla.london or give us a call on 020 7636 4044.