Paradigm shifts require knowledge.
This page brings together resources for creating accessibility (some of them in portuguese). We refer to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic. We highlight the legislation that is currently in force, reports and studies produced by colleagues and Access Lab partners. We end with useful links for organisations and platforms.
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (United Nations, 2006)
Article 30
Participation in cultural life, recreation and leisure
1 – The States Parties recognise the right of disabled people to participate equally in cultural events, and they have adopted measures to ensure that people:
a) Have access to cultural material in accessible forms;
b) Have access to movies, theatre and other cultural events in accessible forms;
c) Have access to locations used for cultural activities or services, such as theatres, cinemas and tourism services (…)
Constitution of the Portuguese Republic (1976) - (Links in portuguese)
Article 78
Cultural enjoyment and creation
1. Everyone is entitled to cultural enjoyment and creation, along with the duty to preserve, defend and add value to cultural heritage.
2. The government, in cooperation with all the cultural agents involved, is responsible for the following:
a) Encourage and ensure access by all citizens to resources and instruments for cultural action, as well as correct the country’s existing asymmetries.
Law no. 46/2006 – Prohibits and punishes discrimination on the basis of disability.
Decree-Law no. 163/2006 – Establishes conditions for accessing events and performance venues (detailed organisation of the physical space; capacity and organisation of seats designated for disabled persons and the people accompanying them, among other topics).
Decree-Law no. 83/2018 – Stipulates the requirements for online accessibility for public organisations.
Decree-Law no. 129/2017 – Implements the Support Model for Independent Life, which is based on offering personal assistance to perform daily life activities and mediation within various contexts. The programme seeks to buck the trend toward institutionalisation and family dependence.
Studies and reports:
Summary
- 52% of professionals rate their knowledge of artistic work by disabled artists as poor or very poor
- 28% of venues and festivals regularly offer projects organised by disabled artists
- 19% of venues and festivals have an accessible website
- 13% of venues and festivals produce accessible communication materials
- 12% of venues and festivals have an accessible ticketing system
Summary
We highlight the answers to two questions:
- 3 What does the entity do to promote access?
Most of the people questioned answered that the work focuses on physical access (ramps, lifts, seats, lavatories, etc.)
- 4 What prevents the implementation of solutions that promote access to venues and cultural offerings?
The second most common answer after financial resources was ‘a lack of know-how and training in this area, and a lack of human resources with the technical capacity to deal with these issues’.
3.3 million Deaf and disabled people participated in events, generating £250,000 for the music industry. Below, 3 indicators that we highlight among the 349 people surveyed for this report:
- They participated in an average of 9 events last year
- They spent an average of £48 per ticket
- They spent an average of £30 on food, beverages and merchandising
The impact of negative experiences:
- 92% of people had a negative opinion of the venue/event
- 81% of people said they would not likely return to that venue or event
- 51% of people attributed responsibility for the bad experience to the venue/event
Summary
Quote
Emily Eavis, Glastonbury Festival
- Ticketing policy with entry free of charge for the personal assistant/accompanying person did not occur at only 15% of the festivals and 28% of the performance venues
Case study: economic impact of disabled people at the Reading Festival after introducing ticketing and access policies, and creating infrastructures.
- Sales increased by 111% (from 170 tickets in 2012 to 358 in 2013)
- Economic return of £187,000 (daily tickets; passes; tickets for friends and family; food and beverages)
