Viewing platforms and areas are there to help you if you find it difficult to enjoy performances within crowded areas. This may be because you are a wheelchair user or need to sit during a performance, or it may be due to the impact of being in a crowd.
What is the difference between a viewing platform and viewing area?
Viewing platforms are raised and ramped platforms specifically constructed so that customers can be seated and still see over the audience.
Viewing areas are existing areas of an event that are used for the purpose of providing an accessible view. These might be part of the ground level of the event or using an existing raised area – such as a balcony seated area.
Who can use viewing platforms and viewing areas?
Anybody who needs to do so for a reason related to their access requirements. This includes customers with non-visible impairments and might include customers who do not need to sit during performances.
Often viewing platforms and areas will be organised so that customers who need to sit are located at the front, whilst customers who are happy to stand can do so at the back. It is also important to avoid sitting at the very back of a platform as some customers may find leaning on the back of the platform more comfortable and accessible than sitting down.
Some customers might choose to dance on the viewing platform. There is no reason why anyone should be prohibited from doing so. However, if you feel someone is blocking your view or invading your personal space then speak to the stewards or security.
How do events ensure viewing platforms and areas are only used by customers who need to use them?
Usually, all customers who want a place on the viewing platform or in the viewing area will need to apply. The event will review these applications and will often give customers a wristband which gives access to the viewing platform. At most events, customers can bring a personal assistant onto the platform with them. At festivals, Attitude is Everything recommend that the personal assistant is given a lanyard rather than a wristband so that, if you are with a group, you can easily change who accompanies you by swapping the lanyard.
Stewards or security should be positioned at the bottom of the platform to check lanyards and ensure only people with lanyards are able to access the viewing platform, or the toilets.
Remember that anyone who is wearing a viewing platform access wristband is doing so because they have spoken to the festival and demonstrated that they have need to do so. Even if a customers’ impairment is not visible to you, they will have only obtained the wristband because they have a valid reason to access the viewing platform.
Ground Level Viewing Areas
At festivals where the viewing platform gets very full, some festivals will have a Ground Level Viewing Area. Often the viewing platform will be used for people who need to sit, and the ground level viewing area will be for the use of people who need to be in a protected viewing area, but who are comfortable standing for a whole set.
Attitude is Everything understand the reasons for Ground Level Viewing Areas and the role that they play in ensuring more customers can access a comfortable viewing space. However, we believe the criteria should purely be whether an audience member needs to stand or sit for that particular performance. We remind venues and festivals that making decisions based on impairments (e.g. prioritising wheelchair users over other customers who cannot stand for long periods) may not be a reasonable adjustment under the Equality Act.