ACE outlines plans for disability access scheme

A sector-wide access scheme for disabled audiences, which will be named All In, launches its website today (7 November) for cultural organisations to express interest ahead of the scheduled start next year, Arts Council England (ACE) has said.

The scheme, a partnership between Arts Council England, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Arts Council of Wales and Creative Scotland, is expected to be valid at all arts and cultural venues to provide “seamless, barrier-free booking”.

ACE says initiative, the development of which has been overseen by a disabled-led team, builds on the work and success of Hynt – an existing access card scheme for theatres and arts centres in Wales.

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Plans to create a UK-wide access card scheme were the only cultural element of the government’s National Disability Strategy published in August 2021 and had been scheduled to launch in March 2022.

In a joint statement Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England; Roisín McDonough, Chief Executive, Arts Council of Northern Ireland; Dafydd Rhys, Chief Executive, Arts Council of Wales; and Iain Munro, Chief Executive, Creative Scotland said: "We’re working with D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people and organisations of all sizes to make sure that this new scheme welcomes everyone.

"By doing that, All In will benefit individual audience members as well as creative and cultural organisations of all sizes across the UK."

Andrew Miller, UK Arts Access Champion for All In said: “Back in 2014, I witnessed the success of Hynt first hand as director of the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama venues, making the lives of our disabled audiences and our box office staff so much easier.

"Now I want All In to fundamentally improve the experience of D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people attending arts and cultural events across the UK through barrier removal, making it easier to book tickets and to offer consistency.

"Because buying a ticket shouldn't be a performance.”

Improved access

The release of details about the scheme coincides with the publication of an impact report, funded by ACE, into the Hynt scheme in Wales, which has been running since 2014.

As of October 2023, Hynt has issued 29,866 cards to members to be able to use their Hynt cards in over 41 theatres and arts centres and associate venues across Wales. These organisations pay to be part of Hynt and as a network receive staff training, an annual symposium and an opportunity to share best practice and learning.

The report found more than three quarters of card holders (76%) felt being part of Hynt improved their access to culture and more than two-thirds of (68%) felt it improved their physical access to events.