Music can be a powerful art form; we often see our feelings reflected in the songs that mean the most to us. It has universal appeal, and many have stories about profound moments experienced through live music. All the more reason, then, to ensure that as many people as possible can access these positive experiences.
Despite greater emphasis on complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), accessibility is not always forefront in the minds of those booking tours and events. In preparing for a live performance, promoters don’t always consider whether every fan who wants to attend a show can physically do so. By not taking care to review the presence of basic needs such as ramps, elevators, and seating, they are excluding a portion of fans from potentially life-changing encounters.
Musicians with disabilities must have the opportunity to perform in all venues, too. To overlook the needs of disabled artists is to deny crowds chances to hear diverse creative voices. Yes, tackling these issues is challenging, but an important step toward equality.
Getting Into The Venue
While popular artists can perform in large, accessible arenas, this is not the case for all performers. Smaller venues such as bars, cafes, and sometimes people’s homes, are not typically designed for accessibility and often get away with skirting some regulations, especially if they are older structures. Many aspects of the ADA are only directed toward new constructions and renovations, which complicates ensuring compliance.
Along with accessibility, safety is another important factor at outdoor events and other unconventional venues. Effective event surveillance and security measures are vital for ensuring a secure and welcoming environment for all attendees, especially in spaces that may lack clear boundaries or defined entry points. Establishing perimeters, utilizing modern surveillance tools, and keeping communication lines open are simple steps that can greatly enhance both safety and accessibility.
Musicians and promoters should have frank discussions with venue management about existing accommodations and adaptations that can be undertaken to help fans access concerts. The nonprofit organization Half Access is making great strides in pushing the importance of accessibility and has created a database that lists compliance levels in each environment. Some venues list facilities they have available on their own websites, but this isn’t always the case and often results in frustrating experiences while contacting the box office to make accessibility inquiries.
Like workers in any other industry, artists have the right to perform in environments that are both safe and accessible. It’s essential that promoters and musicians actively engage with venue management to ensure backstage facilities meet the needs of all performers. This means verifying whether disability parking is available close to the stage door, ensuring unobstructed routes to the stage, and confirming the presence of ramps or elevators where necessary.
In addition to physical accommodations, clear and visible signage backstage is vital, particularly for artists and crew members with disabilities. Much like workplaces that implement inclusive labeling practices to promote safety and meet diverse needs, concert venues should prioritize marking pathways, exits, and critical backstage areas in ways that are accessible to everyone. Making accessibility a core part of planning discussions is essential. Failing to do so can lead to severe consequences, with some artists potentially forced to cancel performances due to safety concerns or health risks. Ensuring these standards helps create an inclusive environment, benefiting both performers and fans alike.
Enjoying the Show
It can be easy to think that covering the very literal aspects of gaining access to the venue is sufficient. But this is ignoring the fact that disability can come in a variety of forms. There are relatively simple steps that can be taken to make everyone’s concert experience positive.
Those who live with chronic pain may be utilizing methods to manage their condition, and do not always need assistance to enter a venue, but as the majority of sufferers experience symptoms in their lower back area, they may have difficulty spending lengthy periods on their feet. It is important to ensure that there are seats reserved for those who are unable to spend the period of the concert standing. Care should also be taken to ensure these seated areas aren’t tucked away in a corner, either — place them in areas where the stage is visible.
Of course, comfort while actually watching the show doesn’t account for the entire experience. Buying drinks at the bar or using toilet facilities are aspects that tend to be overlooked when arranging accessibility. Independent access to these facilities is vital, or if staff assistance is necessary, training should be given to ensure employees are patient, proactive, and understanding of the attendee’s needs.
Less Visible Disabilities
We are making headway in acknowledging that health difficulties don’t have to be immediately visible in order to have a significant impact upon our lives. People experiencing mental illness or neurobehavioral conditions can find that the world is not always well designed for them to connect with all the experiences that help make life fulfilling. It’s worth remembering that a recent study showed that attending live concerts can have a positive effect on improving mood, so to exclude access to this is to deny people potential tools to manage their illness.
There has been a push toward venues taking into consideration those on the autistic spectrum, or find strong sensory stimuli challenging. While it is generally accepted that concerts are going to be loud places, filled with people in close quarters, there are steps venues can take to help make live music an option for the 79% of autistic people who feel socially isolated. Softer lighting, reducing speaker buzz, and access to free earplugs are easy methods to make concert experiences more comfortable for those whose symptoms are triggered by such stimuli. Educating venue staff about communicating appropriately with those who have differing cognitive needs can help create pleasant and meaningful experiences for everyone involved.
Venues can also consider providing a space that can function as a safe, quiet area away from the noise and high-temperatures of the performance area. Loud music and large numbers of people can be overwhelming, and so a designated chill out room is an excellent tool in ensuring those with mental and neurobehavioral difficulties can enjoy the show in comfort. By educating themselves about the challenges that can be evident in venue spaces, management, promoters, and musicians can help build a more inclusive atmosphere for all music lovers.
Despite emphasis being placed on ADA guidelines, too many concert environments are largely inaccessible to a portion of the population. There is also a proportion of concert-goers who must jump through unnecessary hoops in order to have opportunities to see and perform live music. While there are groups who are raising awareness of these issues, it is also the responsibility of musicians, promoters, and the venues themselves to make accessibility an ongoing part of the live entertainment dialogue.
