London music festival Barclaycard presents British Summer Time Hyde Park has been awarded Gold Status for Attitude is Everything’s Charter of Best Practice in recognition of the event’s long-term and continued commitment to inclusivity and access for Deaf and disabled people.
Event organiser AEG Presents has partnered with Attitude Is Everything, a a UK-based charity that has worked to improve access to live music for Deaf and disabled people since 2013.
The Charter of Best Practice goes beyond the legal obligations set out in the Equality Act to set out a framework aiming to provide a truly fair and equal service for Deaf and disabled customers.
AEG Presents initiatives include accessible viewing areas, British Sign Language interpreters, accessible toilets at every toilet block, Hearing Induction Loops, free Personal Assistant tickets for all ticket types and a dedicated access hub and entrance.
All pre-event information is available in audio and easy read versions and there is a dedicated access customer service team available all year via e mail and phone. AEG Presents will also introduce guided tours for those requiring additional assistance navigating the site.
“We’ve been working with AEG and BST Hyde Park for over five years and have been impressed by how the festival have developed their access over this time.”
Paul Hawkins, Attitude is Everything
Paul Hawkins, Attitude is Everything’s Festivals and Volunteering Manager said: “We’ve been working with AEG and BST Hyde Park for over five years and have been impressed by how the festival have developed their access over this time.
“Accessibility works best when it something that all staff members engage in, from a senior level to frontline staff, and this is certainly the case with Barclaycard presents British Summer Time Hyde Park.
“We have been particularly impressed with how the festival has engaged with staff training around access, provided fantastic customer service on the ground and implemented our Charter recommendations, as well as the clear ambition to be as accessible as they can possibly be.
“AEG have been a fantastic company to work with and we are confident that, even with the gold award, they will continue to raise the bar for access to ensure all customers have the best experience possible at the shows.”
“We are very proud of this achievement, there is a huge amount of planning and preparation that both AEG Presents and The Royal Parks put into ensuring British Summer Time Hyde Park is inclusive and enjoyed by all.”
Alun Mainwaring, The Royal Parks
Alun Mainwaring, Head of Events and Filming at The Royal Parks, added: “We are very proud of this achievement, there is a huge amount of planning and preparation that both AEG Presents and The Royal Parks put into ensuring British Summer Time Hyde Park is inclusive and enjoyed by all.
“London’s Royal Parks fulfil an important function as public amenities for everyone, it is very important that the events we host follow this ethos. This Gold Status shows that this hard work has been recognised.”
“Recognition from Attitude is Everything, who we’ve worked with for many years, is a heartening sign that these efforts are making a real difference.”
Jenny Hamada, AEG Presents
Jenny Hamada, Senior Event Manager at AEG Presents said: “Making sure our events are open to all is a top priority of ours, and we believe it truly sets us apart from our competitors.
“Recognition from Attitude is Everything, who we’ve worked with for many years, is a heartening sign that these efforts are making a real difference.”Music Business Worldwide