Charity Attitude Is Everything says disabled event goers find booking tickets has its own issues, I agree. Whilst physical.access is improving booking tickets is still challenging, despite equality laws21 covering such issues there is a long way to go.
I''ve sat on booking lines for marathon sessions either to get nothing, or when I get to the end of the queue to be told I have to ring a different line for access seating, or to get carer tickets. This makes the process longer, and more complicated, making buying a ticket a more difficult and even more like trying to win the lottery.
Many disabled people need a carer to go to events, which makes attending more expensive. Venues may have a discount or free tickets scheme but this can add to the difficulties of booking. Sometimes you need to provide proof of disability before booking, which adds another time factor. I came across one such scheme that said it used 'judgement' to decide if someone qualified. They asked searching questions about benefits and disability needs, as well wanting to check details with a carer. After all that they only gave discounts,.which varied, to a limited number of customers per performance. I didn't sign up, whilst I understand they have to target discounts it shouldn't feel like they just want to be nosy.
Accesaible seating, and equipment like headphones are usually limited, so those who need them have less options fogetting tickets. There may be only a handful of places even in large theatres. This means disabled people face more of a scramble for even fewer tickets.
Special seating may be in specific areas or be only for disabled people. This makes it difficult or impossible to sit with non disabled friends especially if you are in a group. I have been asked if I really wanted to sit with the people I was with!
Things are improving, some venues offer a very customer friendly service but disabled people won't have leisure equality until they really can book just like everyone else.
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