Accessible Take That Tickets

[Windymiller16]

My daughter has been unwell for the last 6 years and wanted to take me and a friend to see the Take That concert in Southampton as a treat to thank us for our care and support during this time. She bought a CD to allow her access to the pre-sale tickets which allow the purchase of up to 6 tickets. However, as she in now a full time wheelchair user, she had to book using a dedicated phone line to book accessible tickets and they would only sell her 2 tickets, for one wheelchair user and a carer. Full disclosure, there is a concessionary discount for the carer, but we'd rather just all 3 be able to go together. I have contacted the venue direct (St Mary's stadium) to appeal to their humanity, but with no success, so my daughter and I are now going alone. I understand that disabled seating is limited, but this feels really unfair. AIBU?

I understand that disabled seating is limited, but this feels really unfair

I think this answers your question. Disabled seating is extremely limited and therefore they need to ensure as many disabled people as possible get the chance to attend. Can your friend get someone else to go and they buy normal tickets so at least you are all at the event albeit not together in the venue.

Yes, i understand that seating is limited and we have considered purchasing 2 tickets elsewhere in the stadium. But it isn't the trip we planned for. I get that disabled seating is limited (and that's something that could in itself be reviewed). It just feels unfair that able bodied folk can book 6 tickets together and there's no facility for that to happen if you have a disability. The tickets were booked through a separate phone line, rather than the usual ticket master website. It took 45 mins to get through, to then be directed to ticket master for the third ticket. By which time, the usual tickets had sold out. As an able-bodied person, how would you respond if you were unable to go in a group of 3, despite having bought access to presale tickets and reached the front of the 'queue' in time?

Welcome to the world of disability OP. I have a wheelchair bound child andwe haven't been able to sit as a family at any theatre/cinema/concert/panto for more than 10 years. In fact as changing facilities are rare as hens teeth we rarely go out at all.

Many families are in the same position, it is crap, and i feel your pain.

It is frustrating but there needs to be a limit, if your daughter was able to buy six pre sale tickets that would mean up to five disabled fans wouldn't be able to attend (I know she only wanted three).

It happens that you can't buy seats together for standard seating, it's rubbish as it's not what you wanted.

We’re in a family of 4. For concerts we normally have to have 2 seats just behind or 1 row in front of the wheelchair area. Would that be possible for you?

It would have been great to have had that option. But accessible tickets were on sale via the venue itself with general tickets sold separately. It just feels like the general nod towards equal access without any real thought behind it.

Yes, I get the rationale. But as a wheelchair user you just find obstacles in your path all the time, so its yet something else to add to the list of things you can't do. But actually, how difficult would it be for a venue to reserve the row of seats behind for able bodied friends and family members, for example. There are always solutions if you are prepared to give it due thought.

What they need is for more adaptable seats so wheelchair users can be with their friends/family throughout the stadium. But thats probably cost prohibitive and logistically difficult.

I think it's maybe venue dependent because as a wheelchair user I've sat as a 3 twice in the past

As a wheelchair user though you learn to be grateful that that which is there is there at all. That sounds shit but that's how it is.

It's surprising the person you spoke to didn't suggest this, given you had to call for the tickets rather than booking via the internet or an automated machine.

Sorry I've just seen

appeal to their humanity

YABU, come on.

I'm sorry it's been difficult for you. My daughter is a wheelchair user and I have been able to book wheelchair space with 2 companion seats for Take That at the 02.

I have to provide evidence that she needs 2. I was going to book just the one and then another seat nearby but was bit of a lottery, in the presale, as to which seat you'd get in the area chosen.

Thankfully spoke to a very helpful young man on the accessible team who sorted it for me. Feeling very grateful and lucky.

YANBU at all, and as you say this is the obvious way of doing it. Surely half the fun of going to a concert is going with a group and enjoying it as a group. People with disabilities should be able to do that as well.

I don't really see that it needs to be costly. It just needs creative thinking. For example, reserving the rows in front/behind/adjacent to accessible seats for able bodied friends and family (as has already been suggested).

You may find better luck at another venue? Things vary venue to venue.

The system had to change to combat fraud about 10 years ago before that disabled patrons were taken at their word but venues started to find those that weren't eligible or entitled were abusing the system. Particularly for sold out names. There's been Similar issue at theme parks.

So now we have a rules based system which though imperfect at least ensures tickets are available for genuinely disabled people.

It’s one of my pet hates that accessible tickets are nearly always via the phone. I spent a total of 2 hours on the phone trying to get a couple on Wednesday - cut off 3 times and then, when I finally got through, they’d all sold out, as had the cheaper ones on the website. I really wish they’d just release them online to give us the same chance as everyone else.

"normal" tickets?

The point is that disabled attendees cannot book six tickets as part of their booking. There is no reason why a disabled attendee cannot book their own+carer and the 1-4 permitted additional tickets in one booking. Since they have to go through a human being (which delays their access to tickets) that human being could identify the closest or most suitable tickets for the group to stay nearby.

Its a typical example of "oh gods, we have to have some accessible seats" afterthinking.

I really wish they’d just release them online to give us the same chance as everyone else.

They did this for Adele and they do it that way for Glastonbury and it is/was a nightmare

Pretty standard I'm afraid. When you're a wheelchair user a lot of people believe that's all you are, this inconvenience who has to be catered for. The notion that you might have something in your life other than your disability, like friends or family or, god forbid, children, is just beyond their comprehension. Sorry if I'm sounding cynical, it's because after sixteen years of it I am very cynical.

Apologies terrible wording, I have a disabled daughter so should definitely know better.

@ThreePointOneFourOneFiveNine

Amen

Seems unreasonable to limit it to one person with the person with a disability. A child with both parents for example.

My daughter has only recently become a wheelchair user and what is really shocking to us (and quite clear from this thread) is just how little provision there is in general for those with accessibility needs (of all kinds). To hear so many of you on here sharing similar experiences with resignation is so sad. We all have to pick our battles (and Take That tickets are hardly a high priority!) but every time a situation like this is encountered, it's yet another symbol of how little respect is shown to the most vulnerable in or society. I honestly thought these battles had been won decades ago and it's so depressing to think that this is the sad reality is quite the opposite. Thanks for your comments though.

Of course you’re not being unreasonable. Disabled people want to sit with their family and friends too. Able bodied people would kick up a huge fuss if they could only buy tickets in pairs. And what about disabled people that need more than one carer?

For those posters saying it’s too costly or difficult, it really can be done with a minimal amount of effort. Our family has football season tickets in an accessible area for four of us (DS3 is disabled). The stadium isn’t modern (Victorian) and yet with some careful planning there are plenty of accessible seats at the venue.

I don't know where you live but I do know that Southampton FC have a changing room for those who need it. It's been in place quite a few years at the request of a fan who needed a raise and lower platform to be able to get changed with help from his carer, the Accessbility stewards are really helpful and friendly too.