Attitude is Everything launches ‘DIY’ accessibility guide

Music accessibility charity Attitude is Everything a published a new guide for bands, artists and promoters advising how to make gigs and tours more accessible for deaf and disabled people.

The DIY Access Guide contains a series of “cheap and simple hacks” to make shows more inclusive for disabled audiences, including:

• How to set up an accessible seated viewing area
• How to make your own DIY captions for lyrics
• Information to include on online event pages
• How to make an accessible flyer
• What you can do with shows at an inaccessible venue

The zine-style publication launched yesterday at the Off The Record in Manchester as part of the Break Down Barriers, We Will Come panel, featuring Attitude is Everything CEO Suzanne Bull MBE, music blogger Hannah McKearnen, Revenge of Calculon’s Rob Maddison, Sauna Youth’s Richard Phoenix and community punk promoters Constant Flux.

“Attitude is Everything has ambitions to make all live music events as inclusive as possible, and particularly those promoted at small grassroots venues,” says Bull. “Even what appear relatively minor changes can make a big difference in practice.

“That’s the reason we’ve put together this easy-to-use guide. Nobody should cut off from their local music scene – whether that’s the millions of disabled people who want to attend gigs and shows or deaf and disabled artists who are looking to perform. By following our simple advice, promoters and artists can help make live music so much more accessible, and attract a whole new audience into the bargain.”

More than 130 venues and festivals have committed to improve their accessibility by signing up to Attitude is Everything’s Charter of Best Practice, with Reading Festival the most recent.

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