Access Starts Online aims to ensure that the UK’s independent music festivals provide a designated and detailed access information page on their website.
The organisations said that such online information - although simple and cost-efficient to provide - is absolutely crucial to disabled music fans, and often determines whether they will choose to attend a festival or gig in the first place.
To encourage positive change, the campaign will offer all AIF members a template detailing the type of information they should be providing.
Festivals that make the change (or who already meet the campaign’s standards) will be awarded a digital Access Starts Online stamp of approval to use on websites and social media.
The initiative will be rolled out to all UK music festivals and venues by early 2016, and ultimately aims to encourage more live music businesses to commit to Attitude is Everything’s Charter of Best Practice.
More than 100 festivals and venues in the UK have now joined the charter - including AIF members such as Cornbury Festival, Greenbelt Festival, Just So Festival and Kendal Calling. Several others are currently working towards gaining the award.
Last year, ticket sales to deaf and disabled people at charter venues and festivals increased by 70 percent.
Suzanne Bull MBE, Attitude is Everything chief executive, said: ‘The Access Starts Online campaign does exactly what is says on the tin. A lack of access information on event websites is a major barrier to deaf and disabled fans enjoying live music, and in most instances will influence whether they actually buy a ticket in the first place.
‘We believe the initiative will make a significant step towards change and lead to more live music businesses extending their commitment and signing our Charter of Best Practice.’
Paul Reed, AIF general manager, added: ‘Having worked closely with Attitude is Everything for some time, with various members on the charter of best practice, AIF are very pleased to extend the partnership with Access Starts Online.
‘Access isn’t just about onsite provision but also ensuring that the right information is provided in advance on event websites and we hope to be part of a wider step change towards this within the industry.’
The organisations said that such online information - although simple and cost-efficient to provide - is absolutely crucial to disabled music fans, and often determines whether they will choose to attend a festival or gig in the first place.
To encourage positive change, the campaign will offer all AIF members a template detailing the type of information they should be providing.
Festivals that make the change (or who already meet the campaign’s standards) will be awarded a digital Access Starts Online stamp of approval to use on websites and social media.
The initiative will be rolled out to all UK music festivals and venues by early 2016, and ultimately aims to encourage more live music businesses to commit to Attitude is Everything’s Charter of Best Practice.
More than 100 festivals and venues in the UK have now joined the charter - including AIF members such as Cornbury Festival, Greenbelt Festival, Just So Festival and Kendal Calling. Several others are currently working towards gaining the award.
Last year, ticket sales to deaf and disabled people at charter venues and festivals increased by 70 percent.
Suzanne Bull MBE, Attitude is Everything chief executive, said: ‘The Access Starts Online campaign does exactly what is says on the tin. A lack of access information on event websites is a major barrier to deaf and disabled fans enjoying live music, and in most instances will influence whether they actually buy a ticket in the first place.
‘We believe the initiative will make a significant step towards change and lead to more live music businesses extending their commitment and signing our Charter of Best Practice.’
Paul Reed, AIF general manager, added: ‘Having worked closely with Attitude is Everything for some time, with various members on the charter of best practice, AIF are very pleased to extend the partnership with Access Starts Online.
‘Access isn’t just about onsite provision but also ensuring that the right information is provided in advance on event websites and we hope to be part of a wider step change towards this within the industry.’
