Access at Live 8 this Saturday
I have been drowned in emails, phone calls and blog comments about disability access to the Live 8 main concert in Hyde Park this Saturday. You need info, we're hearing you. We put in a call to Harvey Goldsmith Productions, first and foremost to try and get you a good solid contact so that you can get the latest info.
We were put through to Harvey's assistant, and she tells us that she is happy to receive emails. I explained to her that I was going to publish her address on a 91Èȱ¬ website that hundreds of thousands of people read monthly, but she told me to go ahead anyway. On her head be it.
So, you need to email Nancy for info: nancy@harveygoldsmith.com.
We are aware that spaces are tight and are told we'll get a full statement about disability access at the event shortly. Meantime, those of you who have tickets and are unsure whether your access needs will be met - well, we wish you good luck.
Comments
I've just read the 91Èȱ¬ news story saying that more than half of the disabled applicants were turned away. I find that disgusting. I usually find the other problem - that I'm the only user on a huge platform - but to assume only 1 in 1000 ticket holders will be mobility impaired is shocking. Surely they should wait to see what demand is, then make room accordingly?
Hi Ive had a long chat with Nancy, she's very nice but unfortunately Im sure she does not make the rules, the numbers and wheelchairs only access is set, 300 people asked for some sort of disabled assistance, its down right mean to only allow 140 out of that 140000 in. If we are lucky enough to win they should look after us regardless. I bet all the back stage cronies get seats and more !!! I hope Africa gets the help it needs, its a shame we are unable to help our own disabled people too. I do wish everyone a successful event. Mike.
I'm not a wheelchair user but I do have very restricted mobility because of rheumatoid arthritis. I got tickets for Live 8 and asked for disabled access but like many others was told they had allocated all the special access passes. Apart from the non compliance with the DDA generally, they don't seem to have given any thought to people with disabilities who are not wheelchair users. For instance I would be happy to take my own folding garden chair especially if there was a space set aside for people like me but chairs are not allowed because of space considerations but apparently picnic blankets are allowed which simply does not make sense. As well as not having anywhere to sit during the concert (I'm not able to get down to sit on the ground) I'll also have to queue for who knows how long to actually get into the site. I too hope that Africa gets the help it needs but wish the promoters had given more thought to meeting the needs of people with disabilities.
I think it is absolutely appalling that disabled people who won tickets in the text competition are now being told that there are not enough wheelchair spaces to go round. This is blatant discrimination. Less than 1% of the people attending will be wheelchair users. Is this really the way forward for full social inclusion for people with disabilities? We feel as strongly as anyone about Making Poverty History and anyone who wants to, should be able to show their support by attending the Live8 concerts if they were lucky enough to win a ticket. I have my passes and wristband as I was one of the lucky ones but i know others who weren't so lucky and feel strongly about this issue
My wife and I went on Saturday. She is an MS sufferer and Blind so we applied for disability access. We were told that the facilities were over subcribed, however, we would be able to use the disabled gate and sit quite near the disabled facilities. How wrong this was, we had to stand for over four hours to gain access and once in no facilities were availible at all. By this time my wife was extreemly scared, tired and frustrated so unfortunately we turned arround and came home. I find this kind of treatment disgusting, especially as this event is about AWARENESS?