When booking agents, planners, and even artists are putting together a tour, accessibility isn’t always at the forefront of their minds. It’s understandable — they have a lot to think about, after all. But, with over 3.6 million people in the U.S. bound to a wheelchair and countless others with disabilities, music venues that are more accessible should be an important consideration for every single show.
By not booking at venues that are more accessible, you’re cutting yourself off from certain members of your audience. For a musician, that means telling some of your fans that they can’t come to see you play — the last thing any successful artist wants!
Unfortunately, in many venues across the country (and the globe!), ADA accommodations aren’t fully met. Whether it’s a lack of seating, no ramps, or a lot of stairs that lead to certain areas of the venue, most places don’t seem to consider people with disabilities when it comes to their overall construction.
So, what can both musicians and venue owners do to address some of these issues, so everyone can enjoy the show?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was introduced in 1990 to keep employers from discriminating against those with any kind of disability, including diseases like MS, chronic pain that needs to be regularly managed, or forms of paralyzation. It was expanded in 2009 to cover even more areas so those dealing with disabilities were given the rights they deserve. While the ADA focuses on people with disabilities in the workplace, it’s important for any public venue to keep the law in mind.
As a venue owner, you want as many people as possible to be able to come and enjoy show after show. As a musician, you want the same thing. Concert-goers already have a lot to think about when it comes to their safety and preparedness at a show or outdoor festival, but someone with a disability has to ensure they’ll be able to get around before they can even attend such things.
One of the big issues that venues face is not really knowing what needs to be accessible and how to transform their space into an area that everyone can enjoy and move around freely.
While the changes that need to be made are different for every venue, common upgrades include things like wheelchair ramps, elevators, and a more open layout. As a venue or artist, you can also do things like allowing people with certain disabilities to enter the venue first, about 10-20 minutes before everyone else, so they have an opportunity to find their place safely. If you’re not sure what to do or how to do it, consider contacting someone who does. There are some organizations, such as Half Access, that work with concert venues to improve accessibility across the country.
Musicians have to make a living, and most of their income is the result of music sales and touring. Whether you’re making music from your bedroom or working in the top studios in the country, you still need to bring in money.
If you’re a musician with a disability and you can’t play at different venues because of it, you simply wouldn’t be able to continue “working.” It doesn’t even need to be a long-term disability. For example, think about being eight months pregnant and trying to perform. You might need a little extra help getting around the venue — but there might not be any help available. Then what?
Try thinking about it from that perspective when you go to your next venue. What resources are available there for people who can’t get around easily? Consider how important it is to make sure everyone can come to your shows, not just able-bodied individuals. Thinking about every one of your fans and what they might need will bring you the most inclusive audience.
From a venue standpoint, you’re also limiting yourself if you don’t make your space more accessible. Simply put, venues exist to make money. It’s how they continue to operate. So, you know how important it is to stay up-to-date with the latest technologies, creature comforts, and ways to get people in the door.
But, if you’re ignoring the fact that your venue needs to be more accessible, you’re also ignoring an audience of millions. While over three million people might be in wheelchairs, there are about 48.9 million people in the U.S. with some kind of disability. That’s a large chunk of people who may not be able to go to your venue to see their favorite artist because accommodations haven’t been put in place for them.
The good news for both musicians and venues is that it doesn’t have to be difficult to make changes. When more artists and event spaces work together to make sure everyone can come to a show, those changes will start to happen faster. So, before you hit the road next time, or before you start to think about the latest upgrades to your venue, consider all of your audience, and work on making music venues more accessible.