For years, deaf and disabled music fans have faced huge barriers when it comes to booking concert tickets, BBC reports.
Whether it’s the requirement to call premium rate help lines, or having to provide evidence of their disabilities, the experience has put many fans off.
Now Ticketmaster is introducing a new system that allows gig-goers to book tickets online “like anyone else”.
BBC reporter Alex Taylor, a wheelchair user who regularly attends concerts, called the move a “huge step forward”.
Ticketmaster’s scheme allows fans to submit details of their disability online. Once validated, the information is bound to their profile, meaning they can book tickets for all future gigs without extra effort.
In participating venues, accessible seats will be clearly labelled on the seat map like any other ticket – whether that’s in the range of a hearing loop, or in a wheelchair accessible zone, with a free companion ticket. The booking system was soft-launched in two venues, Glasgow’s SEC and Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena, a fortnight ago.
