News

Disability-led charity, Attitude is Everything, has awarded the venue Gold in their Live Events Access Charter, due to its on-going commitment to improving accessibility.

Attitude is Everything improves Deaf and disabled people’s access to live music by working in partnership with audiences, artists and the music industry to implement a Live Events Access Charter across the UK. In addition to the Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall’s well-established core access support services and facilities, recent improvements have led to the venue achieving its Gold award.  These include;

• A Changing Places accessible toilet with ceiling hoist
• WiFi enabled MobileConnect service offering audio enhancement within both auditoria
• Backstage areas, including dressing rooms, adapted for wheelchair access
• Lowered sections at bars, merchandise and food outlets
• A visual story to help customers with access needs to familiarise themselves with the venue before a visit

In addition to a continued commitment to providing the following access support;

• Easy-read, large-print, braille and audio versions of information, plus tactile signage
• An assistance dog sitting service
• A range of Sign Language interpreted, Captioned, Audio-described and Relaxed performances
• Regular staff training to learn about disability equality and provide impairment-specific support for customers, colleagues and visitors to the venue

Nottingham City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Planning, Pavlos Kotsonis, said: “Nottingham prides itself on being a welcoming, inclusive city and so it’s wonderful but comes as no surprise that one of our premier venues is going the extra mile to ensure all audience members and artists feel comfortable and well-catered for. Congratulations to the dedicated staff at the Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall on achieving gold standard in this important area.”

The Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall’s Front of House manager, Emily Malen, said: “Every member of staff, backstage and front of house, is involved in making our theatre and concert hall as accessible as possible.  It’s at the heart of everything we do.  We are committed to this as a whole organisation and I’m so proud on everyone’s behalf to have our work recognised in this way.  We won’t sit back on our laurels with a Gold award, though, we’re already aiming for Platinum!”

Find out more about assisted performances and access support offered at the Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall Nottingham here

Find out more about Attitude is Everything’s Charter of Best Practice here