Attitude is everything

Attitude is Everything: Improving Access to Live Music for Deaf and Disabled People

Attitude is Everything is a UK-based charity that aims to improve the access of deaf and disabled people to live music events. The organization works in partnership with venues, audiences, artists, and the music industry to implement a Charter of Best Practice across the country.

The charity was founded in 2000 by Suzanne Bull MBE, who herself is deaf. She recognized that many live music events were not accessible for people with disabilities, which meant they were missing out on an important aspect of social life. Attitude is Everything was created as a response to this issue.

Since its inception, Attitude is Everything has made significant progress in improving access to live music for disabled people. The organization has worked with over 200 venues across the UK and has helped thousands of disabled fans attend gigs and festivals.

One of the key initiatives that Attitude is Everything promotes is its Charter of Best Practice. This charter outlines a set of guidelines that venues can follow to ensure they are providing an inclusive environment for all attendees. These guidelines cover areas such as physical access (e.g., wheelchair ramps), communication (e.g., sign language interpreters), and staff training (e.g., disability awareness).

Attitude is Everything also provides training sessions for venue staff on how best to support disabled customers. This includes guidance on how to communicate effectively with customers who have hearing or visual impairments or other disabilities.

In addition, Attitude is Everything works closely with artists and their management teams to encourage them to consider accessibility when planning their tours and gigs. This includes ensuring that venues are suitable for disabled fans and promoting accessible ticketing options.

The charity also runs several campaigns throughout the year aimed at raising awareness about accessibility issues in the music industry. For example, their annual "Access Starts Online" campaign encourages ticketing websites to provide clear information about accessibility features at each venue.

Attitude is Everything has received numerous awards and accolades for its work in improving access to live music for disabled people. In 2018, the charity was awarded the Outstanding Contribution to Music prize at the UK Music Industry Awards.

In conclusion, Attitude is Everything is a vital organization that is making a real difference in the lives of deaf and disabled people across the UK. By working with venues, artists, and audiences, they are helping to create a more inclusive music industry where everyone can enjoy live events regardless of their disability. If you're interested in supporting their work or finding out more about what they do, visit their website today.