Skiddle Access Scheme x Access Awareness Month

Over the past few months, we’ve been busy developing the Skiddle Access Scheme after we joined the Attitude Is Everything ‘Ticketing without Barriers’ coalition. Since joining, we’ve been astonished by the hurdles that deaf and disabled customers have to overcome time and time again when booking tickets to events.

 

pic credit: Under One Roof, Liverpool (https://www.skiddle.com/groups/underoneroof/)

Our scheme will allow all customers, who require a Personal Assistant to join them at events, to purchase tickets as seamlessly as a customer who doesn’t have these particular needs. Because we want all events to be inclusive and enjoyable for everyone and we also believe that everybody should be able to enjoy the events they love!

As it stands in this industry, it’s surprising how many inhibitions customers encounter to ensure that their specific requirements are met. Different venues/events have their own evidencing policies, resulting in a huge lack of clarity when it comes down to information regarding accessibility bookings and purchasing tickets can often be a lengthy and convoluted process.

Therefore, we have developed a simple & straight forward scheme which can be adopted by our event promoters. Customers will firstly provide their evidence of disability to our friendly in-house Customer Care team before being issued with a free or discounted Personal Assistant ticket which allows their carer to attend the event with them.

The State of Access Report (2018) published by Attitude Is Everything found over 80% of our survey respondents had experienced problems during the booking process, and three quarters felt discriminated against when trying to book tickets for live music events.

It is still early doors for the Skiddle Access Scheme, but we are keen to share our ideas and we also have a dedicated team on hand to assist with additional customer queries and requests to make the experience of attending events as flawless as possible, for all customers. 

Furthermore, we have now teamed up with Nimbus Disability, which means Skiddle accept their Access Card and are a CredAble provider. 

The Access Card stores information, evidence, discounts and opportunities for disabled people. It translates a customers disability/impairment into symbols which highlight the barriers they face and the reasonable adjustments they may need. This card then informs providers, like Skiddle, quickly and discreetly about the support they need without having to go into loads of personal detail.

You can find out more about the Access Card here

‘Yes I provided my pip letter and they sent my ticket I would just like to say that Skiddle is excellent with people with disabilities and they sent my PA fast and put my mind at rest I can now enjoy this event with my Carer I will always use Skiddle for future events’

(Recent customer feedback regarding our Access Scheme, July 2019)

Please keep your eyes peeled for more information regarding our exciting new scheme as we develop it further in the upcoming months.