The Access Culture report, published by arts audience specialist Indigo Ltd, was compiled based on data gathered from over 20,000 respondents in the UK. The study was carried out in partnership with research sponsors pointOne and the UK’s All In access scheme.
Access Culture sought to understand how audience and visitor behaviour at cultural organisations is impacted by access needs. It also aimed to develop a baseline understanding of audience and visitor perceptions of accessibility of venues, productions, events and exhibitions, linked to the forthcoming All In standards.
Essential requirements
Among the key findings were that only 9% of disabled visitors say booking systems fully allow them to state their access needs, leaving most without a clear way to communicate essential requirements. One in four disabled visitors find it difficult to prove eligibility for accessible tickets (25%), with inconsistent processes creating frustration and exclusion.
The report also confirmed that disabled visitors are far more likely to check accessibility before visiting a venue. Some 75% always check, compared to just 44% of non-disabled visitors. Concerningly, 71% of disabled visitors struggle to find key venue information, with unclear websites and missing details creating barriers. However, some 76% of disabled visitors struggle to find key information at other public spaces.
Some 40% of disabled visitors struggle with arena access, with concert venues (36%) and heritage sites (34%) also presenting significant barriers.
Around two in five disabled visitors lack confidence their access requirements will be met by arts venues, and almost as many (38%) miss out on cultural events due to accessibility uncertainty.
‘Stark and interesting truths’
Katy Raines, Indigo’s founder and chief executive, said the report’s findings highlighted successes as well as areas for improvement.
“Whilst our findings show that our sector has led the way for inclusion and accessibility in many areas, they have also uncovered some stark and interesting truths about the availability of culture to disabled people and those with access requirements in the UK,” Raines said.
“The findings also present a more nuanced picture of inclusion than we expected. Access initiatives such as captioning and in-venue technology are welcomed by many non-disabled as well as disabled audiences; and young people in particular have greater access requirements than perhaps we anticipated.”
Cultural organisations across the UK, including theatres, museums, galleries, festivals, and heritage sites, were invited to participate in the research. The survey was distributed via 85 cultural organisations, gathering responses from over 20,000 audience members. Participants were asked about their experiences in finding information, booking tickets, venue accessibility, confidence in attending, and the role of technology in cultural visits.
All In’s Phil Lofthouse and Indigo’s Katy Raines will share findings from the Access Culture survey during a session focussed on accessibility at this year’s TheTicketingBusiness Forum 2025 in Manchester from 28-30 April.