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Attitude is Everything State of Access Report 2016

Simple changes to online information provision could drastically improve the experiences of Deaf and disabled venue and festival goers, shows new report.

Published: 17 March 2016 | 12:00 AM Updated: 28 April 2021 | 4:28 PM

Attitude is Everything (AIE), which works to improve Deaf and disabled people’s access to live music, has launched its latest State of Access Report. The 2016 report reveals that simple changes to online information provision could have a dramatic impact on the experiences of Deaf and disabled customers.

The report assesses the prevalence and quality of access information across venues and festivals of all sizes across the UK, and gives a ‘good’, ‘adequate’, or ‘poor’ rating.  The survey covers all aspects of access from information provided, including booking, travel and arrival, parking, step free access, toilet facilities, food and drink, and accessible camping to name a few.

Of the 386 venues and festivals were surveyed, 1 in 3 of venue and festival websites provided no information, and fewer than 1 in 5 provided information rated ‘good’.

Venues wanting to sign support AIE and improved access for Deaf and disabled people can sign up to AIE’s Charter of Best Practice.

David Webster, National Organiser for Live Performance, said: “The MU welcomes this report. There is clearly work to be done here, and raising awareness is part of the battle. This report helps to cement that awareness amongst venues owners and festival organisers.”

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