At Midday, on Mon 13th Dec 2021, we launched the first online training session, as part of our Just Ask campaign in partnership with Attitude Is Everything (AIE). AIE is a disability-led charity with 20 years of experience supporting non-profit and commercial organisations to make what they do more accessible and inclusive for Deaf and disabled people.
Just Ask aims to make asking about access requirements of artists an industry standard question, in advance of a gig or festival performance – taking the burden away from disabled artists.
During these free, online training sessions, AIE’s Artist Development Manager, Rich Legate, sets a standard for how we can work together across the live music industry to meet the access requirements of artists and crew who identify as deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent, allowing promoters to learn and discuss how to best support artists with access requirements.
Originally planned to be delivered via just 4 stand-alone sessions, this campaign has grown and gained momentum, resulting in online monthly sessions for a range of independent promoters, venue teams, festivals and other organisations.
Sessions have included participants from Hymns For Robots, Three Wise Monkeys, Out The Box Productions /University of Gloucestshire, MK Gallery, Art Mouse Promotions, The Georgian Theatre, The Boileroom, The lab, Atmon presents, MK Gallery, More Music, Metronome, Greenwich & Docklands International Festival, Tileyard Education, Drapers’ Hall, Docks Academy, Edinbrugh Deaf Festival, Earth and more.
These sessions are a chance to ask any questions, learn new skills and develop accessible practices which can be put into place when engaging with artists. The sessions encourage informal discussion with no pressure to ask or say the ‘right things’.
Sessions are delivered for participants across the country, throughout the year, at Midday on the first Monday of each month. Sign up to the next session here.
