Summary
A 2004 trade-press report of RNID mystery shoppers' visits to 75 UK arts venues, covering loops, textphones, published access information and staff deaf awareness.
Key findings
- Profoundly deaf mystery shoppers visited 75 arts venues in nine UK cities in August and September 2004 for RNID; seven were found to be deaf aware.
- 50% had not fitted an induction loop; of the 39% that had, "many failed to publicise it".
- 80% had no textphone service for bookings or advance information, and 65% lacked published information on how disabled people, including deaf and hard of hearing people, could get access.
- Three London venues were singled out for excellence, all with deaf-aware staff.
- RNID called for deaf awareness training for all arts venue staff, access equipment that is well displayed with staff trained to use it, and an access guide in every venue giving precise details of what it provides.
Limits
A short news report: no method, protocol or venue list is given, "many" is not quantified, and the loop figures (50% and 39%) leave 11% unaccounted for. UK arts venues in 2004, surveyed just before the Disability Discrimination Act deadline of 1 October 2004 for service providers.
Read the original
Cited in
- How do listeners learn that a venue has assistive listening, and which signs and symbols do the rules ask for?Partly answered
- What works in theatres and cinemas, and what do the rules ask of them?Partly answered
Cite this source
Health Club Management (reporting an RNID survey). Deaf people failed by UK arts attractions. Health Club Management (Leisure Media). 30 November 2004. https://www.healthclubmanagement.co.uk/health-club-management-news/Deaf-people-failed-by-UK-arts-attractions/9767 (accessed 9 October 2026).
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