Access Starts Online for AIF

Nine members of the Association Of Independent Festivals (AIF) have introduced a designated access information page on their event’s website for disabled music fans, prompted by the Access Starts Online campaign.

The joint campaign was launched three months ago by music charity Attitude is Everything and AIF and will be extended to venues during Independent Venue Week.

Festivals already signed up include ArcTanGent, Bestival, Camp Bestival, Common People, Cornbury, Deershed, Just So, Kendal Calling and Nozstock.

The campaign requires promoters to download a special access info guide and template before making any recommended amendments on their website. Those who do will then receive the Attitude is Everything Access Starts Online “stamp of approval”.

Attitude is Everything CEO Suzanne Bull said: “We are heartened to have received such a strong show of support from AIF members. These days everyone hears about gigs and festivals online, and that’s why this campaign is so important – as without comprehensive access information in advance of an event, many disabled music fans can be put off from buying tickets in the first place”.

Bull continued: “It’s also important that more festivals and venues are aware of the sheer number of disabled fans who want to attend their events – according to Government figures, over 3.5m of us enjoyed a live music event last year – and we hope that Access Starts Online marks an easy and straightforward step towards engaging with these music-loving masses”.

Attitude is Everything will publish its latest ‘State of Access’ report next month.

Co-founder of AIF, Bestival, Camp Bestival and Common People Rob da Bank added: “Working in partnership with Attitude is Everything and their simple-to-use Access Starts Online template, we’ve been able to successfully improve the access information on our websites for Bestival, Camp Bestival and Common People. Doing this will allow our disabled customers to get all the info they need before they come on-site”.

Find out more about ‘Access Starts Online’.