Matthew argues in Parliament for improved access to live music venues for the deaf and disabled

Matthew has spoken in Parliament today about the need for live music venues to make themselves accessible to the deaf and disabled. Speaking to Ed Vaizey, the Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries, Matthew spoke about his personal connection to this issue and his involvement with the charity Attitude is Everything.

 

He stressed the business case for action and also the need to strengthen enforcement of current legislation surrounding disabled access. The speech can be seen here. (Skip to 12.30 on the video.)

 

During the speech, Matthew said:

 

"I know from very personal experience the difference good access can make. Just one step can make the difference between an inspirational event and a sad disappointment.

 

"I am the proud patron of a charity called ‘Attitude is Everything.’ They exist to improve accessibility of music venues for the deaf and disabled. 

 

"There is a strong commercial argument for venues to adopt the AiE Charter of Best Practice. Charter Venues and Festivals, such as the Latitude Festival in Suffolk, and Local Authorities like Kent County Council, can now vouch for the Scheme and demonstrate the real benefits of good access. 

 

"Businesses have an obligation under law to make reasonable adjustments to help disabled people access their goods, facilities and services. Unfortunately, access requirements are seldom enforced, often only enforced under the heavy hand of the courts when a disabled person sues a venue under the Disability Discrimination legislation. 

 

"The list of venues and festivals that support these proposals is long and growing. Make no mistake, there has been progress. 

 

It is vital that we move towards a situation in which good disabled access is the norm, not the exception. Such a goal is morally right, legally required and commercially viable and this debate is a small step on the road to achieving that ambition." 

 

You can read the full speech below:

 

It is a pleasure to speak under your chairmanship Mr Howarth and to see the Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries in his place and I am very glad he has been able to come today.

 

I applied for this debate for two reasons: first, access to music venues for the disabled is an issue that is close to my heart.

 

Second, I believe there is a strong moral, legal and business case for the proposals I will set out.

 

I can attest to the difference that equal access for the disabled makes for those who are passionate about music.

 

Dom Pardey is one of my closest friends. He had a love of life and of music. Then, without warning, at the age of 28 he suffered a stroke, and is now confined to a wheelchair.

 

Whilst life became more difficult for Dom, his huge passion for music never wavered. It’s what keeps him going. I take him regularly – though not as often as I might – and with his wide network of friends he goes frequently. 

 

I know from very personal experience the difference good access can make. It’s not just about ramps, but loos and hearing loops. Just one step can make the difference between an inspirational event and a sad disappointment.

 

I am the proud patron of a charity called ‘Attitude is Everything.’ They exist to improve accessibility of music venues for the deaf and disabled.

 

Attitude is Everything began as an idea from Suzanne Bull 20 years ago who, whilst attending a major festival, almost died in the crowd.

 

It became pilot project in September 2000 in direct response to Deaf and disabled people’s calls for fair treatment at music venues, clubs and festivals.They set out to address the music industry’s apparent lack of awareness of the Disability Discrimination legislation and its obligations. 

 

Last December they released a report, at a launch I was proud to host here in the House, called ‘State of Access.’

 

It is the first piece of systematic research into access to the music industry and examines approaches to access across the industry.

 

It was conducted by 100 Deaf and disabled music-lovers, acting as ‘mystery shoppers,’ who are directly affected by these issues and it is their extensive input that makes this report so valuable.

 

I would like to publicly thank the mystery shoppers who volunteered their time to gather this information.

 

The report examines views and approaches to access across the industry, promotes best practice and suggests solutions to improve the current situation and I thoroughly recommend it to any of my honourable friends who are interested.

 

The research carried out by Attitude is Everything has led to two key recommendations, the first dealing with the business case for taking action and the second arguing for enforcement of existing legislation. I shall address them in turn.

 

There is a strong commercial argument for venues to adopt the AiE Charter of Best Practice. Charter Venues and Festivals, such as the Latitude Festival in Suffolk, and Local Authorities like Kent County Council, can now vouch for the Scheme and demonstrate the real benefits of good access.

 

I don’t want to suggest legislative changes that would make it harder for venues to operate, and no one is expecting change to happen instantly. 

 

Nonetheless, deaf and disabled customers are often overlooked, despite representing an annual spending power estimated at £80 billion per year in the UK.

 

To give an example: hearing loss currently affects more than 10 million people in the UK – one in six of the population and rising. 

Of these, two million use hearing aids. This is a huge potential customer base.

 

In a major survey by Action on Hearing Loss over two fifths of respondents said that they would go out of their way to visit a shop or service with a loop, and almost three quarters said that deaf aware staff would make them more likely to use a particular service so the potential is there.

 

And, disabled people often do not travel to gigs alone so if you discourage Deaf and disabled people, then you are missing out on the potential business of their friends and family too.

 

This has been borne out in the experiences of the venues that have signed up to the Charter of Best Practice.

 

Attendance of disabled people at Reading and Leeds Festival, for example, increases by at least 25% each year, demonstrating the impact of Attitude is Everything’s partnership with Festival Republic.

 

Once Glastonbury Festival began to improve its access facilities, attendance from disabled customers increased threefold over the last few years.

 

Venues like the Sage in Gateshead, who reached the Gold level of the charter, said this about their experience: ‘We have numerous customers who specifically visit our venue, regularly, specifically because of its excellent access. Many of them bring their families who appreciate a stress free outing.’

 

I believe this kind of success can be repeated across the industry. 

 

The truth is that doing so need not be overly expensive.

 

There are 3 key areas in which venues can make progress that will improve disabled user’s experiences.

 

First, the cheapest and easiest adjustment a venue can make is improving the availability of information.

 

Detailed information must be provided in advance of the event, enabling deaf and disabled people to make informed decisions about their visit.

 

And of course, when information is provided it must match the situation on the ground.

 

For example, when Action on Hearing Loss investigated this in a 2010 survey, 573 premises that did have a loop system, 62% were either switched off, not working or unadvertised.

 

Second, improving staff understanding.

 

Third, improving provision of step free access and induction loops.

 

These often simple steps are at the heart of the Charter of Best Practice I am advocating and I would encourage all venues to sign up to them. I hope this Charter will, in time, be expanded to improve standards for disabled toilets and disabled hotel rooms.

 

The report’s second recommendation is a call for enforcement of existing legislation.

 

Businesses have an obligation under law to make reasonable adjustments to help disabled people access their goods, facilities and services.

 

Unfortunately, access requirements are seldom enforced, often only enforced under the heavy hand of the courts when a disabled person sues a venue under the Disability Discrimination legislation.

 

I am not here today to call for new legislation, merely enforcement of what is already in place.

 

Supportive music venues, key festival organisers, local authorities and Licensing Officers should work together, with Attitude is Everything to make access normally a condition for entertainment licences. Scotland made such a change to its entertainment licensing laws last October, and I hope the Minister can consider it today.

 

It would be an ideal tool through which to ensure we incrementally move towards improved standards across the industry.

 

The list of venues and festivals that support these proposals is long and growing. Make no mistake, there has been progress.I am delighted to say that the festival at which Suzanne nearly died 20 years ago now has a regular clientele of over 700 disabled customers, an accessible campsite and viewing platforms at nearly all the stages.

 

But, we should do all we reasonable can to ensure that being disabled does not mean one has to live a life less rich, less varied or less full.

 

Music is a central part of our shared cultural experience and nothing compares to live performances. For some, it is a lifeline. It should, wherever it realistically can, be accessible to all.

 

If adopted, the proposals would make an immense difference to the lives of deaf and disabled music lovers, but also the deaf and disabled more generally.

 

It is vital that we move towards a situation in which good disabled access is the norm, not the exception.

 

Such a goal is morally right, legally required and commercially viable and this debate is a small step on the road to achieving that ambition.

 

Thank you.