In the world of arts and culture, every voice matters. Now, CultureSuite is ensuring every click matters too, with a comprehensive accessibility audit that's set to redefine online engagement and ticket-buying journeys.
It can’t be understated how important accessibility is. Culture is for everyone. The EU certainly believes this, which is why the new European Accessibility Act (EAA) is set to become law across EU member states on 28 June, 2025. The EAA aims to standardise accessibility legislation, covering a broad spectrum of digital products and services used by people with disabilities.
Similar legislation in the US, UK, Norway, Australia and many other countries help ensure business and organisations are taking the necessary steps to ensure their service, product or venue is fully accessible. In arts and culture, this is particularly important because meeting accessibility standards is often a requirement to secure funding.
What is accessibility and why is it important?
Accessibility is the practice of removing barriers to ensure equal access to information, services, activities, and environments for everyone, regardless of their abilities. It involves adopting a range of tools and techniques to create inclusive experiences both in physical spaces and digital platforms.
In venues, accessibility takes many forms: wheelchair ramps, sign language interpreters, sensory-friendly performances, and accessible seating options are just a few examples of how cultural institutions ensure their offerings can be enjoyed by all.
However, online accessibility is equally crucial. After all, that’s where visitors get their tickets. To ensure they can, venues use features such as keyboard navigation support, alt text for images, closed captions for videos, easy-to-read fonts, and sufficient colour contrast. These elements ensure that everyone can not only access information about events but also easily purchase tickets and engage with digital content.
Norway’s authority on accessibility have a great one-minute video showing how people’s various needs can be met through accessible features:
It’s a lot to consider. That's why our dedicated support team works proactively with venues, identifying potential accessibility issues and addressing them, so that they can focus on promoting performances.
Peppered is continually updated to meet the latest accessibility standards. Our goal is to make digital accessibility as seamless and integrated as possible.
Defining new accessibility standards in arts and culture
As champions of digital inclusivity, we're excited to announce our partnership with Digitaal Toegankelijk (Accessibility Desk). This collaboration marks a significant step towards realising our vision of truly accessible digital spaces for the arts and culture sector.
Digitaal Toegankelijk are the Netherlands' leading digital accessibility experts who also have clients in Sweden, Norway and Belgium. Accredited by the Dutch Digital Accessibility Index, they're masters of WCAG standards and pioneers in European Accessibility Act compliance. Their expertise in audits, training, and making digital services truly accessible for all users makes them the perfect ally in our mission to create inclusive digital spaces for the arts and culture sector.
Together, we're launching a comprehensive Accessibility Audit project that will elevate the accessibility standards of our customers' websites and the Peppered CMS platform, setting a new benchmark in the arts and culture sector. This wide-ranging project encompasses both technical and content audits, ensuring a holistic approach to accessibility.
While venues will be encouraged to manage and optimise their content to meet the latest accessibility standards, CultureSuite is implementing technical updates to Peppered websites as well as the Peppered platform itself, so that technical burden is taken care of for venues. The audit plus the technical implementation represents immense value for venues.
Here’s what that package looks like:
Peppered CMS Accessibility
- Digitaal Toegankelijk will do a full WCAG-EM audit of the Peppered CMS.
- We're taking full responsibility for the technical, design, and content aspects of the Peppered CMS.
- This ensures that your team can manage your website using an accessible platform, regardless of any team member's abilities.
Your Website's Accessibility
- Digitaal Toegankelijk will do a full WCAG-EM audit of the Peppered websites using Wilminktheater as our pilot partner.
- Technical Aspects: We're handling all of the technical requirements to ensure your website meets accessibility standards.
- Design and Content: While these aspects are primarily your responsibility, we've created cost-effective packages to both offer an audit and support you in making your design and content accessible.
This approach offers significant advantages over traditionally built websites, where you'd be responsible for all aspects of accessibility – technical, design, and content – often at a much higher cost.
We're proud to offer this valuable service to all CultureSuite customers, demonstrating the value of being part of the Peppered community. Wilminktheater en Muziekcentrum Enschede in the Netherlands will be pioneering this initiative, paving the way for a more inclusive digital future in the arts.
"Inclusivity and accessibility aren't just buzzwords at Wilminktheater. We're committed to making our online space welcoming for everyone, and we're excited to partner with CultureSuite to make that a reality. As a leader in the arts community, Wilminktheater is proud to be at the forefront of accessibility initiatives. We're eager to see how the audit results can help us create a more inclusive online experience for all."
Marieke Bakker, Head of Marketing, Wilminktheater en Muziekcentrum Enschede
Benefits for CultureSuite customers
- Cost-Effective Compliance: By leveraging our common framework, we're eliminating the need for individual organisations to bear the full cost of accessibility reviews.
- Tailored Recommendations: Our partnership with Digitaal Toegankelijk offers discounted accessibility reviews, focusing specifically on your unique needs.
- Comprehensive Coverage: The audit will examine critical touch points across your website, including key info pages, event booking processes, and high-traffic areas.
- Expert Support: Our UX team and Peppered Consultants will be available to help navigate any necessary changes post-review.
Accessibility solutions for the Peppered community
We're committed to making accessibility not just achievable, but affordable. Our packages are designed to offer significant savings compared to typical audits, while providing comprehensive support.
Basic package (€2.800)
- WCAG AA accessibility audit for website content and design
- ½ day with our design team
- 1 day with a Peppered consultant
- Support for any necessary technical changes
Advanced Package (€3.700)
- All features of the Basic Package
- Extended time with our team (1 day design, 1½ days consultant)
- Personalised training and consultation
Note: All packages focus on Peppered technology only, so this excludes third-party purchase paths.
Additional Services
- 3-month re-test (€310)
- Full technical test with WCAG.EM certificate (€565)
- Ongoing support (€100/hour)
- UX review and recommendations (€1.200 per page)
We estimate the combination of our collective approach and our Basic Package offers a ~90% saving compared to a typical standalone audit and the necessary follow-up for implementation.
By offering these tailored solutions, we're making accessibility a reality for all our clients, regardless of their size or budget. While we're addressing the technical aspects of accessibility, content and design choices will play a crucial role in achieving full compliance. We encourage all our customers to engage with this process actively.
This Accessibility Audit project represents a significant step forward in our mission to create inclusive digital spaces for arts and culture. Join us in this journey towards greater accessibility. Together, we can ensure that the rich world of arts and culture is open and welcoming to all.
Let’s make culture accessible to all
- Want to make your website more accessible?
The accessibility audit is available to all CultureSuite customers. Just get in touch to register your interest and we’ll get you onto the programme. Get in touch. - Want to see how Peppered works?
We’re proud of how easy we make it for venues to manage their website. That’s why live event venues around the world trust Peppered. Book a personalised demo. - Looking to partner with us?
If you’re a technology provider, design agency or supplier for the arts and culture sector, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us here. - Want to learn more about digital tools for venues?
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