Deaf News: A quarter of Deaf and disabled people feel they can’t attend an indoor live event until 2022

Almost 25% of Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people feel they won’t be able to get to an indoor live event until next year at the earliest, according to a survey by the music and events charity Attitude is Everything.

The poll of 289 people opened on the 19 July, the same day that the “majority” of coronavirus restrictions were lifted by the UK Government, and closed on 1 August. 42% of respondents said they couldn’t see how a live venue could be a safe environment for them at the time of completing the survey.

Commenting on the findings, Attitude is Everything founder Suzanne Bull MBE said: “In 2019, disabled people were big consumers of live events. In fact, in the years before the pandemic, the economic spend from disabled people attending live music grew from £3.4 million in 2013 to £9.3 million in 2019, so there was always going to be a huge demand from the disabled community to return to live events.

“Understandably, disabled people have real and deep-seated fears about how safe live events will be after the pandemic. I urge the live events sector to address concerns and make demonstrable efforts to welcome those with access requirements back to their venues and events, and for artists to become actively involved in this welcome.”

Elsewhere, almost three quarters (73%) said they would feel comfortable attending an outdoor event if they were confident as many safety measures as possible had been put in place, compared to the half who said the same but for indoor live events.

As the country continues to unlock following Covid guidelines on face coverings and social distancing, 78% felt that venues and events should continue to offer online streaming, which has enabled those uncomfortable or unable to attend in person to still enjoy cultural events.

Support was also expressed for the NHS Covid Pass, with 83% saying they would attend a venue or event which required it as a condition of entry.

For UK events, individuals can receive the controversial pass two weeks after receiving their final dose of a coronavirus vaccine; testing negative for the virus within the past 48 hours through a PCR or rapid lateral flow test; or having had a positive PCR test within the last six months.

Attitude is Everything is now calling on event organisers to check their latest COVID safety policies against a list of accessible reopening measures backed by survey respondents.

Bull added: “Over the past 18 months, disabled people have been loyal in donating to venues and campaigns to support musicians, and bought music, art and books to help creatives to sustain themselves.

“So more than ever before, it’s time to recognise that the disabled community are part of the life-blood of culture in the UK.”

Photo: Sara Amroussi-Gilissen

By Liam O’Dell. Liam is a Deaf freelance journalist and campaigner from Bedfordshire. He can be found talking about disability, theatre, politics and more on Twitter and on his website.