Cultural access scheme for disabled arts attenders

A new national scheme will give disabled customers and their carers consistent concessions at all theatres and arts centres across Wales. The Arts Council of Wales has commissioned the development agency Creu Cymru to lead on the project, in collaboration with Diverse Cymru, and to manage the scheme towards sustainability over a three-year period.

The scheme aims to develop criteria and an application process that is “fair, transparent and credible”, working with the input of key stakeholders including disabled people and their carers. The project will also support theatres, arts centres and the wider performing arts sector to address issues of accessibility.

Project Manager, Emma Evans said: “We want to develop and share models of good practice and draw on the skills and expertise in our partnership with Diverse Cymru to maximise the opportunity that the development of this scheme presents. We want a scheme that is not only sustainable but that also has a legacy in terms of moving forward the conversation and level of engagement in issues of accessibility.”

There will be a series of consultation events across Wales in June and July before the scheme is rolled out nationally in autumn 2014.