Disabled music fans have called on MPs to join a new campaign supporting greater access to gigs and festivals for millions of deaf and disabled people across the UK.
The call follows a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Music yesterday (7 March) which featured a presentation by music charity Attitude is Everything on its recent State of Access Report.
The report revealed that more than a third of UK venues and festivals are failing to provide any access information on their websites.
Of the 386 live music businesses surveyed by the charity, less than a fifth provided online access information rated as ‘good’ - with the problem particularly pronounced at small venues.
Such information, covering everything from ticketing to toilets, is vital for the 3.6m disabled people who annually attend live music events in the UK.
As a result, MPs are being urged to get involved and tell venues and festivals in their constituency to support Access Starts Online.
Speaking at the parliamentary meeting, which was hosted by industry body UK Music at Portcullis House, Westminster, Attitude is Everything’s chief executive Suzanne Bull MBE said: ‘Attitude is Everything’s State of Access Report offers an extensive snapshot of how well live music businesses in the UK are serving their disabled customers.
‘A growing number are improving their access facilities and reaping the commercial benefits, but there is still a major problem with venue and festival websites not providing comprehensive access information.
‘Music should be for everyone, but without these essential detail many disabled fans will be dissuaded from buying tickets in the first place - which is why we are calling on MPs to support Access Starts Online and help get our message out into their constituencies.’
The call to action was joined by Attitude is Everything’s Parliamentary patrons Lord Tim Clement-Jones CBE and Paul Maynard MP, as well as UK Music chief executive Jo Dipple.
Lord Tim Clement-Jones CBE added: ‘It is really important that MPs and policy-makers can get behind Attitude is Everything’s Access Starts Online campaign, and ensure venues and festivals in their constituencies are providing detailed access information to disabled fans.
‘Live music in the UK is already a billion pound business but, as was demonstrated at today’s APPG meeting, making these small changes could help increase audience numbers and make it an even greater success story.’
The call follows a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Music yesterday (7 March) which featured a presentation by music charity Attitude is Everything on its recent State of Access Report.
The report revealed that more than a third of UK venues and festivals are failing to provide any access information on their websites.
Of the 386 live music businesses surveyed by the charity, less than a fifth provided online access information rated as ‘good’ - with the problem particularly pronounced at small venues.
Such information, covering everything from ticketing to toilets, is vital for the 3.6m disabled people who annually attend live music events in the UK.
As a result, MPs are being urged to get involved and tell venues and festivals in their constituency to support Access Starts Online.
Speaking at the parliamentary meeting, which was hosted by industry body UK Music at Portcullis House, Westminster, Attitude is Everything’s chief executive Suzanne Bull MBE said: ‘Attitude is Everything’s State of Access Report offers an extensive snapshot of how well live music businesses in the UK are serving their disabled customers.
‘A growing number are improving their access facilities and reaping the commercial benefits, but there is still a major problem with venue and festival websites not providing comprehensive access information.
‘Music should be for everyone, but without these essential detail many disabled fans will be dissuaded from buying tickets in the first place - which is why we are calling on MPs to support Access Starts Online and help get our message out into their constituencies.’
The call to action was joined by Attitude is Everything’s Parliamentary patrons Lord Tim Clement-Jones CBE and Paul Maynard MP, as well as UK Music chief executive Jo Dipple.
Lord Tim Clement-Jones CBE added: ‘It is really important that MPs and policy-makers can get behind Attitude is Everything’s Access Starts Online campaign, and ensure venues and festivals in their constituencies are providing detailed access information to disabled fans.
‘Live music in the UK is already a billion pound business but, as was demonstrated at today’s APPG meeting, making these small changes could help increase audience numbers and make it an even greater success story.’
