A visually impaired singer from Newcastle is urging live music venues to improve accessibility for blind and vision-impaired patrons. Connor Wink, 26, has teamed up with Vision Australia to push for changes that would make events more inclusive.
Wink, who has been singing since age eight and appeared on season 11 of The Voice Australia, says his own experiences at venues have been inconsistent. While watching the musical Jesus Christ Superstar in Sydney, he found there was no audio description available. 'I had no clue what the characters were physically doing while the music was happening, or the props and sets,' he said.
He also highlighted difficulties with online ticket purchasing, as websites often are not compatible with screen readers. 'When you are navigating a website all the ads pop up and interrupt what the voiceover is trying to say,' Wink said. 'It is a bit discouraging because we all have the right to be independent regardless of our disability.'
Wink would like to see staff trained to guide blind or vision-impaired people properly and to consider different needs. Vision Australia general manager of advocacy Chris Edwards agreed that many venues do not think enough about the diverse range of concertgoers. 'It really comes down to venues and their staff and developing a culture that this event is not just for fully able-bodied people but for everybody,' Edwards said.
Vision Australia has received reports of vision-impaired attendees not receiving adequate support from staff. Edwards said training is key, from security to ushers, and that features like increased lighting, large print signage, audio announcements, and audio description should be effectively communicated to patrons. The campaign also calls for better ticketing arrangements, including seating for companions and carers, clear information about accessible features, inclusive language guides, and a designated contact for accessibility questions.
