Delays over the introduction of a free national Arts Access Card for disabled people have highlighted huge inconsistencies in the availability and price of concessionary and companion tickets, according to the BBC.
The Radio 4 programme Front Row reported that pilots for the new system will not be up and running until early 2024.
The programme’s researchers found that many places fail to adhere to guidance from The Equality and Human Rights Commission on responsibilities that entertainment venues have towards their customers.
According to Front Row, the guidance says: “Reasonable adjustments are not just about changes to physical features or the addition of auxiliary aids such as a hearing loop, although these can be important to some disabled people.
“Consider providing information (such as programmes and publicity material) in alternative formats and offering an additional ticket for free to a disabled person who needs to bring an assistant.”
Research found that many theatres offer free companion tickets but others charge a reduced rate for companions and some have a range of price options which users often find confusing. Front Row reported that during the course of the research, a number of theatres agreed their websites were confusing.
The programme interviewed Andrew Miller, until recently the government’s first disability champion for arts and culture, who championed the idea of the card after seeing how a similar scheme, worked in Wales.
Andrew told Front Row: “One of the principle reasons for my advocating a national arts access scheme was the lack of any consistency in venues’ approach to companion tickets and disabled access.
“As I’ve experienced, through a lifetime of event attendance as a wheelchair user, buying tickets for 40 years, it’s the Wild West out there for disabled consumers. There’s no consistency between how companion tickets are priced.”
Front Row reported that the card had been due to launch in March 2022. The launch was delayed because the government’s National Disability Strategy was ruled unlawful due to inadequate consultation with disabled people but there are plans for the card to be rolled out independently.
The programme said all venues stress they work hard to make sure the companion seats are protected for those who really need them, and say abuse won’t be tolerated. It added that trained experts have assessed 60,000 members so far, deciding what reasonable adjustments an individual needs.
Front Row reported that Andrew, who is now a trustee at Bafta and the Royal Shakespeare Company, is confident the scheme will happen eventually.
He said: “It will transform the lives of disabled audiences, making the arts and the venue sector far more accessible and radically change the access approach to all the venues who sign up to it.”
