BREAKING: Little Mix concert promoter discriminated against Deaf parents, judge rules

A concert promoter discriminated against three Deaf mothers by failing to provide a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter for support acts at a Little Mix concert in 2017, a county court judge has ruled today, in a judgment which could lead to more access for deaf people at large events.

Sally Reynolds, Victoria Nelson and Sarah Cassandro attended the gig at South of England Showground in Sussex on 1 September, and while they were able to secure an injunction for promoter LHG Live Limited to provide BSL access for Little Mix’s performance, an interpreter wasn’t provided for the warm-up acts Ella Eyre and Germein (then known as The Germein Sisters).

LHG Live Limited had offered Sally carer tickets for her to provide her own interpreter, but this was turned down as it was the company’s responsibility to provide an interpreter.

In his judgment, which comes after a two-part hearing in July, District Judge Avent said: “Live sought to impose what it considered to be solutions in a rather high-handed manner and in a vacuum of ignorance and understanding as to any of the claimant’s disabilities and needs. There was no enquiry from Live at any point as to the extent and nature of their disabilities.

“Overall, the thrust of Lives’ position in relation to the support acts was that there was insufficient time to deal with the issues which arose. I reject that contention.

“They had certainly considered that disabled people would attend because, as Mr Hobbs exhibited, the diagrammatic plan for the event incorporated a disabled viewing area at the front of the stage. But I have reservations as to whether there was any real contemplation or thought given in relation to deaf people.

“Where concerts of this magnitude and size of being provided for a particular band, with or without support acts, for one night only at a specific geographic location, it seems to me generally speaking that the provision of a BSL interpreter will always be more than likely a reasonable adjustment to make or provide,” he said.

DJ Avent also said that he would grant a declaration that LHG Live Limited discriminated against the three parents, in breach of the Equality Act 2010.

Commenting on the victory, Sally said that the three of them are “so pleased” that Deaf people “will be able to access live music and entertainment” as a result of the judgment.

“All we wanted was the same access to the event that everyone else had. The cost of the Interpreter was peanuts to Liz Hobbs’ team, but her response to our request was so hostile that we had no option but to ask the Court for a ruling.”

It comes after the parents set up a crowdfunder on the fundraising site CrowdJustice to provide financial protection should they need to pay the defendant’s £100,000 legal fees.

Lawyer Chris Fry, who acted for the three families and runs his own private practice through Scott Moncrieff and Associates in London, added: “Being Deaf doesn’t mean you should expect second best.

“I hope that this decision will help people who use BSL as their first language will see that change is possible with the right legal help and support.

“I would like to thank Judge Avent for his careful and important decision, Catherine Casserley for her expert, astute and caring assistance and Sally, Victoria and Sarah for giving me the opportunity to represent them.”

A briefing note for the judgment is available to read online.

Photo: Marcen27/Flickr.

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.