Designing a Music Venue for Accessibility

Your music is a gift you give to the entire world. You want to share it with the widest possible audience. 
Therefore, you want everyone to be able to attend. Here are seven tips for designing a music venue for accessibility. 
1. Leave Floor Space for Mobility Aids 
The average width of the rear wheel span of many wheelchairs is 26 inches. Therefore, if your venue features tables stacked on top of one another, some of your guests might have a challenging time maneuvering their way through the crowd. 
If you control seating, leave adequate space for those who use mobility aids to navigate their way to the bar and restroom. Some members of the disability community tend to isolate themselves out of fear that the hassles of going out will lead to frustration, even embarrassment. 
Keeping things slightly distant is a wise idea in today’s post-COVID world, anyway. Even though vaccines have arrived, less than half the U.S. population qualifies as fully vaccinated as of this writing. It benefits society as a whole to protect those who have not. 
2. Choose Your Venue With Care 
Buildings constructed before the passage of the Americans With Disabilities Act might not have made accessibility upgrades if they haven’t gone through a substantial alteration since then. Older buildings have tons of charm and character, but they aren’t accessible if the only guest restroom is a tiny corner with a narrow doorway. 
A better bet in today’s post-COVID world might entail choosing outdoor venues whenever possible. It’s relatively inexpensive to rent items such as temporary flooring and guidance cables to make navigation possible, and there’s more room for people to keep their distance. You might even attract larger crowds — a boon for sales. 
3. Make Signage Accessible 
Those with visual impairments often navigate the world by touch. As such, it pays to have accessible signage complete with Braille lettering to direct your guests where they must go. 
Additionally, use devices such as ropes and cables to direct guest traffic. Those with mobility and visual impairments both, such as folks with certain neurological disorders, will thank you. 
4. Create a Viewing Area
Concert videos are full of adoring fans chanting and crowd-surfing near the stage, but those in the back in wheelchairs are lucky if they can see the act. Please establish a VIP seating area for those individuals with mobility challenges who want to enjoy the show up close. You can combine this area with a standard VIP zone, although you should reserve a select number of tickets at the regular price for those with disabilities. 
5. Include a Quiet Space 
You can’t see every disability. Some folks with sensory processing disorders might need a quiet place to unwind from the chaos of a concert environment. Others, like those with migraines, might need a place to escape the pounding bass. 
Include a quiet space for such guests and direct ticket holders to this amenity. Keep in mind that smaller venues might not have a dedicated space — you might want to get creative with acoustical blankets to design a small retreat. 
6. Train Staff on Sensitive Issues 
Will event staff know what to do if a guest needs an escort to their seat? What if they notice someone with a mobility aid struggling? 
Before the show, rehearse the proper etiquette for helping such guests with your event staff. You don’t want to hesitate to assist someone who is struggling out of fear of patronizing them. Approach them the same way you would any other individual who looked like they needed assistance. 
Inform your staff that sometimes, they might receive no for an answer. It doesn’t mean that the asker did anything wrong — or should feel discouraged from approaching others who might need help in the future. 
Remind your staff, likewise, to stay mindful if someone does accept their offer of help. You might not think twice about taking someone’s arm, but moving an injured shoulder a certain way could cause excruciating pain. Let the assisted party coach you on how to best provide aid. 
7. Grant Free Personal Assistant Tickets 
Many people with visible and invisible disabilities alike use personal assistants to navigate the world. Please don’t make them pay double to have the care they need by their side. Design a policy that grants one free guest pass for such individuals, perhaps requiring a doctor’s certification to weed out those seeking a free buddy bargain. 
8. Advertise Your Accessibility 
Many members of the disabled community might stay away from music events, having encountered inaccessible conditions in the past. They won’t know your experience promises to be different unless you tell them. 
Advertise your accessibility options when you promote your show. You don’t have to make it your headline, but nor should you hide your efforts. Your guests will appreciate the warm welcome you make for everyone. 
Design Your Music Venue for Accessibility With These Tips 
Your performance deserves to be shared with the whole world, not only the non-disabled. Design your music venue for accessibility with the above tips.