Attitude Is Everything has revealed a significant rise in the number of deaf and disabled fans attending live music events in the UK.
The music charity found that almost 144,000 disabled tickets were sold in 2015, compared to 114,000 in 2014 - an increase of 26%.
Compiling sales from festivals and venues signed to its Charter of Best Practice, the direct economic impact of these sales, including food and drink, and spend by personal assistants, is estimated at £7.5 million.
“The Charter of Best Practice is at the core of Attitude is Everything’s activities,” said the charity’s CEO Suzanne Bull. “As well as encouraging innovation and best practice, this practical and straightforward process sends out an important message of inclusivity to deaf and disabled fans across the UK, who are attending live music events in ever increasing numbers.”
The charter enables live music businesses to make an ongoing commitment to improving accessibility. They also agree to be visited and mystery shopped by Attitude is Everything’s volunteers.
More than 100 festivals and venues have now signed the charter, from Glastonbury, Latitude, Download and The O2, through to Academy Music Group venues and a range of smaller clubs and Students’ Union halls.
Last year’s increases can be partly attributed to 14 new sign-ups during the survey period across a range of venues and events, including The Half Moon in Putney, Bristol’s Colston Hall, Pride Cymru, The Lowry in Manchester and Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena.
These venues were responsible for 11,000 ticket sales - although the existing 89 charter venues and festivals also increased their combined disabled audience by 19,000 (13%) year-on-year.
