A disturbing trend in the concert industry raises questions about accessibility for disabled fans.
Topics covered
Concerts are meant to be a celebration of music, a vibrant space where everyone can bask in the joy of live performances. But as we’ve seen with the recent reunion of the iconic band Oasis, the reality for many disabled fans can be starkly different.
This brings us to a critical question: how far are we willing to go to ensure genuine accessibility for those who truly need it?
Shining a Light on the Accessibility Crisis
The Oasis concerts have put a spotlight on a pressing issue: ticket sales and accessibility for disabled individuals.
Fans like Mark Chapman, who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, have reported shocking instances where individuals without disabilities managed to snag accessible tickets, leaving those who genuinely need them out in the cold. Are we witnessing a systematic exploitation of accessible ticket allocations thanks to lax regulations on resale platforms?
Resale platforms, such as Viagogo, have seen accessible area tickets listed at outrageous prices—some soaring up to £634 each.
This is particularly alarming considering that companion tickets are typically provided free when booked through official channels. This kind of price gouging not only undermines the integrity of accessible ticketing but also imposes a heavy financial burden on those who need these tickets the most.
Mark’s experience is far from unique. Many fans with disabilities are grappling with similar challenges, forced to compete with resellers who prioritize profit over genuine access. This situation highlights a larger systemic issue within the ticketing industry—one that affects not just individuals like Mark, who had to navigate a complex web of ticket types, but also the broader community of disabled concert-goers.
Case Studies of Exploitation
Let’s take a closer look at some of these troubling experiences. Videos shared by concert-goers show individuals abandoning their wheelchairs or crutches as soon as the music starts, sparking suspicion about the authenticity of their needs. Such moments reflect a concerning culture of entitlement that disregards those with real disabilities, effectively transforming accessible areas into pseudo-general admission zones.
Consider the case of Daniel Tester, a man with cerebral palsy who found himself unable to access the designated area for disabled fans. Instead, he was hoisted by fellow concert-goers just to catch a glimpse of the performance. While the scene may seem uplifting, it starkly highlights the failures of our ticketing system to provide adequate access for those who truly require it.
Lessons for Founders and Event Organizers
For founders and event organizers, these incidents are a sobering reminder of the critical importance of genuine accessibility. Offering a handful of accessible tickets isn’t enough; a robust system must be in place to ensure these tickets actually reach those in need. This means addressing resale practices that exploit vulnerable populations.
Furthermore, data plays a pivotal role in understanding and tackling these issues. Monitoring how accessible tickets are distributed, tracking resale prices, and gathering feedback from disabled fans can help create a fairer system. Our goal should be to establish a transparent ticketing process that prioritizes accessibility over profit.
Actionable Takeaways for Improving Accessibility
- Implement stricter regulations on resale platforms to prevent the exploitation of accessible tickets.
- Establish a transparent ticketing system that prioritizes genuine accessibility needs.
- Collect and analyze data on ticket distribution to identify patterns of exploitation.
- Engage with disabled fans to understand their needs and experiences, ensuring their voices are heard in the ticketing process.
As the concert industry continues to evolve, it’s imperative that we prioritize genuine accessibility for those who truly need it. The joy of live music should be within everyone’s reach, and it’s our collective responsibility to make this vision a reality.
