Attitude is Everything has revealed a dramatic rise in the number of Deaf and disabled fans attending live music events in the UK - highlighting many of the positive changes that promoters and venue owners are taking to attract disabled audiences.

Collating ticketing sales from festivals and venues signed to its Charter of Best Practice, the charity found that almost 114,000 disabled tickets were sold in 2014, compared to 67,000 in 2013 - an increase of 70%.

The direct economic impact of these sales is an estimated £5.4m.

The Charter of Best Practice enables music businesses to make an ongoing commitment to improving accessibility, and encourages signatories to go beyond the legal obligations of the Equality Act. More than 100 festivals and venues have now signed the Charter, from large-scale events and arenas, including Glastonbury, Latitude, Download, Reading/Leeds and The O2 through to the 14 mid-sized venues owned by Academy Music Group and a diverse range of smaller clubs and student union halls.

According to Attitude is Everything founder, Suzanne Bull MBE, the figures offer compelling evidence of how the music industry is waking up to the demand for improved access, and how forward-thinking businesses can reap the benefits.

“It is heartening to see such a strong correlation between the venues and festivals who embrace our Charter of Best Practice and the numbers of disabled customers coming through their doors. It also sends out a strong message to the wider music and entertainment industry: there are potentially millions of disabled customers wanting to attend your events and, if you improve access, then they will come. It doesn't have to be expensive and it doesn’t have to be difficult. As impressive as these numbers are, they only represent the tip of the iceberg.”

Case studies of access facilities at the Roundhouse, The O2, Latitude Festival and Academy Music Group venues are provided below.

This year also marks Attitude is Everything's 15th anniversary. As well as its Charter successes, the charity has reached a number of other significant milestones and achievements, including:

• Bespoke training for 4,500 industry professionals
• Building a network of 400+ ‘mystery shoppers’ to audit Charter venues and festivals
• Creating almost 500 volunteer opportunities for Deaf and disabled people to work at festivals
• Launching the awareness-raising #MusicWithoutBarriers campaign, supported by artists including Stevie Wonder, Robert Wyatt, The Cure, Franz Ferdinand, Muse, Alt-J, Chvrches, Belle & Sebastian, Queens of the Stone Age, Anna Calvi, Enter Shikari, Frank Turner, The Temper Trap, Mystery Jets and Slowdive
• Establishing Club Attitude as an annual gig to showcase access best practice - with sold out shows headlined by the likes of Toy, Summer Camp, Foals and Ghostpoet
• Leading a working party on inaccessible ticketing with the Society of Ticket Agents & Retailers
• Supporting new technologies to improve access - including live streaming, online ticketing, online gig listings and live captioning

With further industry support, the charity aims to double the number of Charter sign-ups and to increase still further the numbers of disabled fans at live music events.

Significantly, Attitude is Everything can confirm that Festival Republic are increasing their annual donation for the next three years.

Suzanne Bull MBE said: “It took 14 years for Attitude is Everything to sign up 100 Charter venues and festivals, and our goal is to double that number by 2020. We’ll need help, support and resources to get there, but building on the fantastic partnerships we’ve built with promoters, venue owners, artists and fans, then I’m certain we can reach our ultimate goal of ‘music without barriers’.”

Melvin Benn, Managing Director of Festival Republic, added: “Festival Republic has worked with Attitude is Everything for a number of years now, and we are proud that Reading, Leeds and Latitude are all signed up to the Charter of Best Practice. There are millions of Deaf and disabled music fans in this country, and by partnering with Suzanne and her team we have made great steps in ensuring that they can enjoy equal access to our events. With greater support, who knows what can be achieved over the next 15 years.”

CASE STUDIES

1. The Roundhouse, Camden

The Roundhouse initially signed the Charter of Best Practice in 2008, rising to Gold Standard in January 2015 - awarded only to music venues and festivals that can demonstrate the highest possible standards of accessibility. The Roundhouse now provides:

• Step free access
• Accessible toilet facilities
• BSL interpreted events
• Audio described performances and audio enhancement
• Relaxed performances
• Trained staff

Internal Google Earth journey mapping

Mark Butler, Head of Venue Operations said: “The Roundhouse prides itself on being accessible to all. Partnering with Attitude is Everything has inspired us to continually review and revise our offer, ensuring we are one of the leading venues with regards to Deaf and disabled access. We welcome artists and audiences to talk to us about their visit and strive to provide additional services where requested. We want to ensure that all of our audiences continue to have a great experience at the Roundhouse.”

2. The O2, London

The world’s most popular music and entertainment venue achieved Attitude is Everything Charter of Best Practice Gold Status in 2013. At the time it was only the second venue in the UK to be awarded the accolade.

• Step free access
• Fully accessible toilet facilities
• Improved access to emergency evacuation
• Infra-red sound systems
• Fully accessible dressing rooms
• Dedicated viewing platforms at multiple venues
• Disability equality training for staff
• Buddy scheme to assist those with access needs
• Fully developed wheelchair accessible tours for The O2’s roof walk experience, Up at The O2

Rebecca Kane Burton, General Manager of The O2 said: "We are incredibly proud of the work completed in partnership with the volunteers on our Access at The O2 panel to improve access and the gig experience for our disabled fans and those with specific access needs. In 2014 we sold over 24,000 tickets dedicated to disabled people, across music, comedy and sporting events. Making the entertainment experience accessible is good for fans, good for the artists and stars that perform and quite simply good for business. We fully support Attitude is Everything in the work they do."

3. Latitude Festival, Suffolk

Latitude Festival (16th-19th July) was awarded the Silver level of the Charter of Best Practice in May 2014 and, despite a sometimes challenging environment, has made consistent improvements to meet the needs of disabled audiences. Last year, more than 500 fans stayed on the festival’s accessible campsite.

• British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation service provided by Hands4U for a range of pre-arranged and upon-request performances
• Online information about the festival being translated via BSL videos on the Latitude Festival YouTube channel.
• A well-established accessible campsite, featuring a staffed Information Tent
• Viewing platforms and areas where applicable
• Hearing loops in all spoken-word venues
• Accessible seating in the Theatre Tent
• A dedicated accessible arena entrance
• Festaxi transport service for disabled campers
• Collaboration with Oxfam Stewarding and Attitude is Everything to provide viewing platform and other stewards. Oxfam Viewing Platform stewards are provided with a custom Disability Awareness and Viewing Platform Management briefing session on-site to ensure that they provide a high-quality service to customers.

4. Academy Music Group

Academy Music Group signed up to the Charter of Best Practice in 2006 and has achieved recognition for continued support and commitment in accessibility to live music and events. Eight venues have achieved Silver status whilst the remaining six are at Bronze Plus level of the Charter.

Holly Remzi, Operations Coordinator – Academy Music Group said: “Through working with Attitude is Everything, we have made great progress over the last ten years with realistic action plans and achievements. A number of our venues were built in the early 1900s, so we work together to identify solutions for the best practical options that are achievable for customers and artists, with ongoing training and support.”