Accessibility

Accessibility

At York Pride, we aim to be as accessible as possible, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the festival, regardless of their accessibility needs. Below are the details of the provisions available at York Pride 2025 to ensure all attendees have an enjoyable experience.

If you have any questions or specific requirements, please contact us at info@yorkpride.org.uk.


Accessibility Statement

A core aim of York Pride is to create an event that is as accessible as possible for everyone, regardless of their accessibility needs. Accessibility accounts for over one-fifth of our annual spend for the festival, and we are continually striving to improve and add provisions to ensure that everyone who wants to attend can do so comfortably.


Accessibility Features for York Pride 2025

The Parade

Our Pride Parade is one of the longest in the country at 2.4 miles, taking around 60–90 minutes to complete. The route is relatively flat, but there are a few cobbled streets that are unavoidable.

Wheelchair-Accessible Parade Buses: We offer wheelchair-accessible spaces on parade buses. To reserve a space, please contact our Parade team at parade@yorkpride.org.uk in advance.

Festival Site Accessibility

The festival site is located on Knavesmire, a 23-acre grass field (approximately 200m by 150m). The site can be uneven, and we request the grass to be cut prior to the event, but this is out of our control.

Marshals: Marshals wearing yellow high-visibility vests will be available throughout the site to assist with any questions or guidance.

Trackway: Over 500m of trackway will be installed across the site, providing access to key areas such as the viewing platform, accessible toilets, and Pride HQ.

Public Transport and Parking

Public Bus Stops: There are public bus stops located near the Knavesmire site for easy access to the event.

Accessible Parking: There will be blue badge parking available on the day. No pre-booking is required—simply arrive with your blue badge.

Accessible Toilets

RevoLOOtion: There will be two fully accessible RevoLOOs on-site.

What is inside a RevoLOO?

Each unit has the following, plus a wonderful Driver/Attendant who sets it up as well as keeping it clean and hygienic

Toilet: A toilet with retractable grab rails on each side 

Hoist: The use of an electric hoist can greatly enhance the accessibility of a facility like a RevoLOO

Changing table: An adjustable height changing table which allows the user to be moved with care easily

Find out more on their website here.

Additional Accessible Toilets: Both toilet blocks on-site will have accessible toilet facilities.

Viewing Platform

We provide a raised viewing platform for wheelchair users and those with restricted mobility, giving them a clear view of the Main Stage.

Large Screens: There will be two large screens positioned near the Main Stage, showing live camera feeds of the performances to ensure better visibility for attendees.

Quiet Hour

To offer a quieter experience for those who may be sensitive to loud music or large crowds, we will have a Quiet Hour from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. During this time, loud music and crowds will be minimized.

After 12:30 pm, the festival will become busier as the Parade arrives and performances begin.

Lighting Effects and Sensory Considerations

We will have flashing lightsspark machines, and confetti/streamer cannons on the Main Stage and possibly the Queer Arts Stage. While we are not using strobe lighting, attendees with photosensitivity should be aware of these lighting effects.

Sound Sensitivity: The stage sound will be loud, and for those who are sound sensitive, we recommend using ear protectionFoam ear plugs will be available from Pride HQ.

Sign Language and Accessibility for Deaf Attendees

Interactive Pride Guide: Our Pride Guide will be available as a digital interactive PDF, making it accessible for screen readers and other assistive technologies.

BSL InterpretersBritish Sign Language (BSL) interpreters will be on the Main Stage throughout the day for all performances, speeches, and announcements.

Assistance Dogs

Free WaterFree water will be available from First Aid and Pride HQ for service dogs and emergencies. Please ensure your dog stays hydrated, especially in warm weather.

Service Animals: We welcome assistance dogs at the event. Please ensure they are kept on a lead at all times. Bring food, water, and anything else your service animal may need.

Medical Facilities

Ambulance: An ambulance will be on standby for any emergencies.

First Aid: There will be two large First Aid sites on-site, including an on-site doctor. These stations will be equipped to handle any medical needs, and free water will be available here for service dogs and in case of emergency.

Looking Ahead: Our Commitment to Accessibility

At York Pride, we are continuously working to improve accessibility. While these enhancements are part of our long-term plans and dependent on future budgets, we are exploring several initiatives for the future:

Wheelchair and Mobility Aid Rentals: We are considering offering on-site rentals for wheelchairs and mobility aids.

Audio Descriptions and Visual Supports: We are looking into providing audio descriptions for performances and additional visual supports for those with visual impairments.

Hearing Loops and Captioning: We are reviewing options to provide hearing loops and real-time captioning at our stages to improve accessibility for Deaf and hard of hearing attendees.

Additional Rest Areas: While we have the Quiet Tent, we are considering adding more rest areas to the site in the future.

These ideas are part of our long-term vision for the festival, but please note they are still under consideration and dependent on available resources. We will continue to update this page with any new developments.


Contact Us for Support

If you have specific accessibility needs or require assistance during the event, please don’t hesitate to contact us:

Marshals: Our Marshals are available throughout the site, wearing yellow high-visibility vests, to assist you.

Email Us: For any specific accessibility requirements, please email us at info@yorkpride.org.uk. We’re happy to assist.

We look forward to welcoming you to York Pride 2025 and are committed to ensuring an accessible and enjoyable experience for all.