Media & Disability

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Guide on media & disability

Accessible Studios and Venues

Choosing the Studio or Venue

Studios and venues need to be accessible to disabled people. The amount of planning and work you are going to have to do to ensure accessibility depends on the decision you make about the venue you use for the show.

• If you can choose a professionally run, purpose-built studio, it should make life easier. A modern building is more likely to be basically accessible.
• You need to ensure that staff involved with audience handling (for example, stewarding, hospitality, toilets, security etc) have been trained in good practice in dealing with audience members who are disabled. (See the section Communicating with Disabled People).
• If the venue you use is a publicly-funded venue (such as an art gallery or concert hall), it is more likely there will be an adequate level of access.
• If you do need another type of venue, for example, a village hall, a jazz club or a bar, you may not find it so straightforward. You will need to do an access audit as part of your reconnaissance in any venue with which you are unfamiliar (there is a basic checklist below).
• A producer needs to get into the habit of asking for what is needed. You are the person with the overview of what is required and, as with the production process generally, communicating and working with people should get you good results.

Physical Access Checklist

You cannot assume that it is the responsibility of the managers or owners of hired premises to ensure that it is accessible to disabled people. A part of your planning, when a venue is used for an audience of any kind (including an outside broadcast), you should appoint a designated person on the production team to deal with access requirements, conduct an access audit and ensure any required changes are put in place.

Some spot checks to consider include:

• Parking - Is there plenty of parking near the main door and are there allocated spaces for disabled people who cannot walk any great distance?
• Transport - If you are booking a taxi for a guest, find out whether there is a taxi firm they use regularly (some private cars and mini cabs may not be suitable).
• Building entrance - Is it up a flight of stairs? If it is then how will people with mobility difficulties or wheelchair users be able to get in? You may need to open up another entrance, or provide a temporary ramp, or hire a portable lift.
• Doorways - Do doors open automatically? Are they wide enough to accommodate an electric wheelchair? Is there sufficient room in the lobby?
• Waiting area/refreshments - How would a person get from the main entrance to the waiting area, bar or canteen? Would someone with a learning disability be able to find it or would you have an assistant on hand to show him or her the way? Would someone with mobility difficulties be able to make their way there? If this is not possible, what alternative arrangements are you going to make to ensure a disabled audience member can wait in comfort and receive refreshment? Are important signs clearly visible?
• Reception and other staff - Are they welcoming and disability-aware?
• Toilets - Do you have accessible toilets? Are they clearly signposted? Are they clean and clear of clutter? If no accessible toilets are available, can one be hired?
• Seating - What kind of studio seats do you use? Are they easy to get in and out of (for example, are they of standard height, do they have arms?) Are there easily accessible aisles? Is there room for wheelchair users? Will you allow someone an extra seat for an assistant/carer? What physical barriers might prevent a disabled person from sitting alongside others in the venue? Can you avoid putting all wheelchair users together?
• Hearing Aids – does the venue have a functional loop (hearing enhancement system)? If not, hire or buy a portable system.
• Health and safety - Will everyone be able to know that a fire alarm has gone off, or be able to get out of the building quickly? Can you arrange for a visible alarm signal as well as an audible one?

If you are forced to use an inaccessible venue, make sure that this is clear on publicity material and tickets.