Disabled delegates are repeatedly encountering barriers when
attending events, despite many venues claiming to be accessible, a new report
has revealed.
Ninety-three per cent of delegates with visible and non-visible
disabilities responding to research for the Access All Areas: Closing the Accessibility
Gap in Events report, encountered barriers to participation, such as
inaccessible layouts (28 per cent); lack of accessible toilets (24 per cent) and overstimulating
environments (27 per cent).
Delegates also said untrained staff and missing accessibility
information were common issues.
The report, created by the Business of Events and ICC Wales
and supported by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Events, also
exposes a striking disparity between how venues perceive their accessibility
provision and how delegates experience it.
Of the 100 venues surveyed for the report, 91 per cent said they had
accessible toilets; 82 per cent said they provide step-free access, and 75 per cent claimed
their staff have disability awareness training. Yet, delegate responses show a disconnect.
Cost was also highlighted as a bone of contention. Nearly
half (46 per cent) of venues admitted they sometimes charge for accessibility
adjustments such as gender-neutral toilets or ramped stages – a practice
delegates overwhelmingly reject as discriminatory.
Accessibility consultant Dr Shani Dhanda, who helped compile
the report and provides recommendations on bridging the access gap, said accessibility
is still too often seen as optional, ‘when in reality, it benefits everyone’.
“Accessibility must be woven into every stage of design and
delivery. By listening to those with lived experiences, embedding inclusive
thinking, and striving for continuous improvement, the UK events industry can
set a global benchmark for true inclusion.”
The research explores 12 themes including policies and
legislation; physical access; sensory needs; communication; training and technology.
The report, unveiled at IBTM on 19 November, also sets out industry
recommendations and a pathway to compliance with the European Accessibility Act
(EAA), which came into force in June 2025.
