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Arena Theatre enhances culture experience for the disabled

09/02/2016

Arena Theatre helps to enhance culture experience for the disabled

The Arena Theatre represented the University of Wolverhampton recently when Venue Manager, Neil Reading, attended a round table panel at the House of Commons in London to discuss the issues facing disabled people in accessing cultural services in the UK.

Neil was invited to be a part of the discussion by MPs, Ed Vaisey and Justin Tomlinson, due to the contribution the Arena Theatre has made in supporting deaf and disabled artists, work and audiences. The discussion looked at the barriers that disabled people face when attending cultural venues and events and focusing on what more needs to be done to ensure that they are accessible for everyone.

Arena Theatre Joins Round Table Discussion at Westminster

Neil said: “It’s a clear demonstration of the impact the Arena Theatre and the University of Wolverhampton is having in the Disability Arts sector in the UK that we were invited to this event and it was a privilege to be able to contribute to a discussion which should lead to an enhanced cultural experience for disabled people across the UK.”

Proposed solutions discussed included government action on promoting accessibility issues to all cultural venues in the UK with the largest Arts Council organisations taking the lead as well as strengthening licensing processes to ensure that accessibility is at the heart of venue management. Commitment was also made to develop a national solution to ticket booking processes for those with specialist requirements from venues, and a large scale launch and press campaign for the ‘State of Access’ report which is due to be published by Attitude is Everything in February.

The Arena Theatre is a unique venue in the heart of Wolverhampton that presents a wide range of theatre, music, dance and comedy. It is a part of the University of Wolverhampton's Faculty of Arts. Find out more by checking out the website:  http://www.wlv.ac.uk/arena-theatre/

ENDS

For more information please contact the Media Relations Office on 01902 322003/322736

Date Issued: 8th February 2016

For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.

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