D/deaf and disabled access card software to be made free of charge to venues

Venues might not be taking bookings at the moment, but once the schedule returns to normal, they'll be more accessible to those with hearing difficulties and other disabilities.

Nimbus Disability, a social enterprise that advises venues and organisations how to best meet the needs of disabled people, launched their access card scheme in 2014 to allow theatre goers who were deaf or disabled to better communicate their needs to staff. These cards were then put through an online validation system which then allowed venues to see a digital version so they could better support individual customers.

Nimbus have now removed the cost of its technology in order to open up their accessibility further. The system is already being used by companies such as Ticketmaster and the organisers of Glastonbury Festival and it is estimated that around 25,000 people in the UK are already using the cards.

Speaking the The Stage, Martin Austin, the managing director at Nimbus Disability, said: “I feel that this software now needs to be almost open-source, removing the financial barrier for organisations means that there’s no legitimate reason not to get involved and we will be doing our part by expanding the reach of the scheme to our members.

It is hoped that by making this resource free, more venues will get involved which in turn will allow more people with access needs to visit theatres and other live events.