What can we do to make more venues accessible?

Following the news that the UK’s largest ticket selling website, Ticketmaster, had teamed up with a charity to make sure that disabled music fans were able to fully enjoy live performances, we’ve been looking at other ways to make sure that everyone can attend live events.

It’s clear that performers and booking agents who choose venues that aren’t accessible are cutting themselves off from a whole host of supporters, so what can we do to make sure that as many venues as possible are as accessible as possible.

One thing that venues can do as a starting point is to make sure that they have included wheelchair ramps, lifts and an open space with as few obstacles as possible. This, in addition to level access and blue badge parking will make the venue accessible to those with limited mobility.
Another tip would be to operate an early entrance system and a queue jumping policy for those that can’t stand for long periods of time. By offering an early entrance for those that need a little more time to get to and into the venue, you can make the experience much more comfortable for people.

Of course, not everyone who is disabled has a mobility issue. To cater for larger groups of fans, why not ensure that there are hearing loops so that those who are deaf or hard of hearing can enjoy the show too? Conversely, supplying ear defenders to guests who may experience a sensory overload can also help allow more people to attend events. Large screens, clear signage, appropriate lighting and contrasting floor and wall colours can also make a huge difference to disabled people attending events.

While some venues may be housed within listed buildings and may not be able to make structural changes, making even small changes can make a big difference and being very clear about your accessibility can also help avoid problems. Many venues have signed up to the Attitude is Everything campaign to eliminate barriers when it comes to live music, this enables music fans to confidently book tickets safe in the knowledge that they have been paired with a suitable venue.

Can you think of any other ways that venues can make themselves more accessible? Let us know on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.