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AIBU?

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Original poster

Is this discrimination? (Disability)

92 replies

BeyondPreparedForHell · 17/10/2014 17:52

I already had a thread earlier in detail, this is just for one quick question.

Is it unreasonable to complain about discrimination if a disabled person is not able to access presale tickets for a concert, instead they have to order direct through the venue on release date?

(The way it works for a festival with the same company, is you buy the tickets and then prove you need them after. If you don't, you lose them.)

When I brought it up in complaint, the bloke on the phone spoke to me like I was a fruit loop. Said it is in no way discriminatory.

I'm thinking of sad-facing to the DM...

What do you think? And if I'm right, what do you recommend doing/who should I contact?

OP posts:
Original poster
BeyondPreparedForHell · 17/10/2014 18:36

I'm not fully used to this yet, I accept i may be overthinking it. As i said on the other thread, this would have been my first 'big' concert since i became ill. It is the first time i have had to use accessible seating and yes, I am feeling sorry for myself. Especially as i didnt get it. If i didnt need this stupid wheelchair (as much as i actually love my chair), i could have booked two days ago and fought my way to the front in the standing area. But no, something else in my life i have lost.
God this is bad enough for me to read as i type, i apologise to everyone for my self indulgent whining. Blush

OP posts:
TinklyLittleLaugh · 17/10/2014 18:36

fairy. Gosh, do your kids not like you very much? Wink

Seriously though, if the opportunity to buy presale tickets is some sort of perk (eg comes with fanclub membership), but you cannot access that perk because of your disability, then that must be discriminatory.

Nerf · 17/10/2014 18:38

Think other people have explained it better. If block A is accessible and blocks B to F go on sale on Monday and you could buy them but no one can but from block A until Tuesday I don't see discrimination?

Nerf · 17/10/2014 18:39

Otoh if certain people due to a membership for example can but from Block B etc earlier but those same people can't buy from Block A earlier than that may be dis tomatoey.

Original poster
BeyondPreparedForHell · 17/10/2014 18:39

Szeli - same band and same venue as this would have been

OP posts:
Nerf · 17/10/2014 18:40

Discriminatory nothing to do with tomatoes! And but = buy

TinklyLittleLaugh · 17/10/2014 18:42

Beyond. It sucks I know. My DH is always urging me to "Play the disabled card", and take full advantage of the concessions we do get, like viewing platforms at festivals. We miss out on a lot, so don't be embarassed to accept stuff that is on offer.

Szeli · 17/10/2014 18:45

then i think not allowing walking aids (whilst annoying for you) is very sensible

TheFairyCaravan · 17/10/2014 18:45

Shock Tinkly I luffs Robbie!

((HUGS)) Beyond it's okay to whinge.

londonrach · 17/10/2014 18:48

Sorry beyond am multitasking badly!

TinklyLittleLaugh · 17/10/2014 18:50

Yep Fairy is absolutely right, it's fine to have a whinge. Nothing is more annoying than the stereotype of the "brave" disabled person.

SomeSortOfDeliciousBiscuit · 17/10/2014 18:52

Ah, there's your answer then. It's all new to you so you're viewing it through the lens of 'if it wasn't for my disability, I could have done it this way'. I can empathise slightly as I had very similar feelings when I was going through cancer treatment. Not being able to do things in the exact same way as before your disability is not the same as discrimination though. Have a from me. Flowers

Disturbed are much better than Slipknot. Wink

Original poster
BeyondPreparedForHell · 17/10/2014 18:56

Thank you all for being so lovely when i am being a pain Thanks

I do love disturbed too :) very much

OP posts:
WineWineWine · 17/10/2014 19:00

Actually, I think it IS discriminatory.
If a person with a disability wants to attend a concert with a group of 12 friends, they would not all need accessible seating, so 10 would be able to buy their tickets in advance, but 2 (disabled & carer) would have to wait. This means that there is a possibility that part of the group could get tickets and part could not.
You should have access to the same service that a non-disabled person has access to. If other people can book further in advance, I can see no justification for why a person with a disability should have to wait.
It could delay their ability to book travel and accommodation, which could be unavailable by the time the accessible tickets are released.

Original poster
BeyondPreparedForHell · 17/10/2014 19:13

The way i would guess it would be fair, is that say 10% of the standing allocation can be bought on presale and thats 1000, so 100 can prebook. To be fair, there would have to be the same % amount of accessible only on sale early. So if there are 100 seats in the accessible only area (if there even is one, will investigate that), 10 go on presale. (Sorry for the patronising maths!)

Anyone agree/disagree with that?

OP posts:
Original poster
BeyondPreparedForHell · 17/10/2014 19:16

And i think by not doing it that way, by not offering presale to anyone with a disability, it is discriminatory. But, as said six miles upthread Grin due to disabled people not getting the same advantage, rather than getting a disadvantage.

OP posts:
TheFairyCaravan · 17/10/2014 19:16

Are you a member of the groups who were allowed to book their tickets early? If yes, and you couldn't then it is discriminatory, if no then then it's not.

ZivaMcGee · 17/10/2014 19:18

I'm shocked by the number of people who think this isn't discrimination. And wondering how many of those swearing it's not discrimination are disabled.
If the venue is offering a presale they need to offer the same facility to those with disabilities or my interpretation of the equality act says that's discrimination (offering a lesser service by failing to make a reasonable adjustment)

Original poster
BeyondPreparedForHell · 17/10/2014 19:18

Yep i am

OP posts:
TheFairyCaravan · 17/10/2014 19:22

Then yes it is discrimination. If a non-disabled member of the group could buy a ticket early then so should a disabled member. They should have the same percentage of accesible seats on pre-sale imo.

Contact the Equalities and Human Rights Commission. They are really helpful, they'll confirm if it definitely is discrimation and help you go forward.

raltheraffe · 17/10/2014 19:58

As a disabled person who lost their job through discrimination I think you are being ludicrous.

True discrimination against a disabled person is horrible. I have been through it and won a lawsuit over it. Being called names, false and defamatory allegations about me, even being told by my boss that I was not complying with medication. I offered to have a blood test done then and there for serum lithium and valproate levels (I was working in a hospital) and he refused.

I went through months of abuse and in the end was removed from my job by hospital security for allegedly being delusional. Expecting this was going to happen I had seen a consultant psychiatrist and my GMC appointed specialist in the week leading up to this, both of whom felt there was nothing wrong with me.

That is what discrimination is, not a minor bloody hiccup in buying some concert tickets.

Original poster
BeyondPreparedForHell · 17/10/2014 20:03

Yeah, cause because im concerned about this, nothing else has ever happened in my life. Hmm

OP posts:
Nibledbyducks · 17/10/2014 20:07

raltheraffe , with respect, although the discrimination you suffered sounds horrific, it doens't mean that the situation the OP described is not discriminatory. There isn't a competition to see who's had the hardest time, and trying to start one won't make any disabled person's life any easier.

raltheraffe · 17/10/2014 20:09

I am explaining to you what discrimination is. It is malicious and nasty. If the concert firm had thought "I know what, lets make it really difficult for disabled people to buy tickets" and gone out of their way to maliciously make life difficult, that would be discrimination.

Get over it.

raltheraffe · 17/10/2014 20:10

I never said it was a contest. and I do not believe I have started one.

On a personal level I do not like people using the discrimination card unless it is necessary.