Attitude is Everything launch of their State of Access Report

around the festival site (Sunday crowds)

Music charity Attitude is Everything, this afternoon are officially launching their third biennial State of Access Report at London's Bush Hall. The report provides a snapshot of how well live music businesses in the UK are faring in their support of disabled audiences. Among the findings, it highlights that a third of all music events have no information on their websites for disabled people.

The study of 386 UK gigs and festival websites by the charity Attitude is Everything found that 60% of disabled people were put off buying tickets because they couldn't find details of things like wheelchair ramps and hearing loop stations. eFestivals agrees and tries to add disabled information where the festivals provide it, but more often than not the information is missing.

Supporters of the report include Glastonbury Festival, Association of Independent Festivals, Bristol’s Colston Hall and Independent Venue Week, and it reveals that simple changes to online information provision could have a dramatic impact on the experiences of Deaf and disabled customers.

According to the most recent DCMS Taking Part survey, Deaf and disabled people are now estimated to make up 15% of all live music attendees in the UK. Approximately 1 in 5 of the UK population are considered disabled, while according to DWP figures, their household income - the so-called ‘purple pound’ - is an estimated £212 billon per year.

Glastonbury Festival’s Emily Eavis, who wrote the State of Access Report’s foreword said, "Glastonbury Festival has always prided itself on being an event that is open and inclusive. In 2005, we realised that we needed help to improve our offering to Deaf and disabled customers to ensure that this was the case, so we reached out to Attitude is Everything for advice and guidance. In the first two years of our partnership, fewer than 100 Glastonbury-goers registered to use the Festival’s access facilities. A decade on, we now welcome more than 600 Deaf and disabled customers to each festival, alongside having over 100 Deaf and disabled crew members working on the event itself. We are also very proud to have become the first camping festival in the UK to be awarded the Gold standard of the Charter of Best Practice.

"It is a vital that all festival goers can easily access clear information about how to buy tickets, what facilities are available onsite and how they can arrange for the necessary support in order to be able to attend. We’re very pleased to be continuing our work with Attitude is Everything to ensure this."

The report reveals that Personal Assistants tickets were not offered free of charge by 15% of festivals and 28% of venues, accessible parking was advertised by 86% of large venues and 56% of medium-sized venues - but only 33% of small venues, 1 in 5 camping festivals do not have a dedicated accessible campsite , 1 out of 3 venues visited had steps at the main entrance, 4 out of 5 venues do not have a viewing platforms, and just 61% of venues advertised the presence of accessible toilets - although, when visited, 88% had one available on the night. Although there were a few improivements 38% of venues visited featured a lowered bar - a significant increase on the 22% reported in the last State of Access Report in 2014. The report concludes:

1/3 of venue and festival websites provide no access information

For disabled fans, the first barrier to accessing live music typically happens before they’ve even purchased a ticket. Detailed access information on venue and festival websites is essential for 20% of the UK population to be able to determine whether they can attend an event. Disabled audiences are unlikely to attend live music events unless they know their diverse range of access requirements can be met.

2/3 of independent venues provide no access information

The lack of access information is particularly pronounced at independent venues, where most people start their relationships with live music as both artists and audience members. A lack of information often implies poor physical access, even if that is not the case.

Less than 1/5 of websites surveyed provide ‘good’ access information

Comprehensive information is crucial – knowing whether there are two steps, or two flights of stairs, or whether you can bring a Personal Assistant, or find an area to sit down, could be the difference between a fan buying tickets or not.

The findings and conclusions are based on 280 mystery shopping reports by Deaf and disabled people, bespoke research including a survey of 386 venue and festival websites, and a set of case-studies drawn from the hundreds of venues and festivals the charity works with.

The full report and executive summary can be downloaded here: www.attitudeiseverything.org.uk/soar

In response to the findings announced today, Attitude is Everything is calling on the UK live music industry to join their Access Starts Online campaign.

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