To celebrate Scottish Learning Disability Awareness Week (10 to 16th May 2021), Gig Buddies with Thera Trust has launched a free accessibility guide, and learning disability awareness training sessions for venues and event organisers.
Gig Buddies with Thera Trust enables adults with a learning disability to live an active social life by connecting them to like-minded people. They want help people with a learning disability to feel confident in accessing local live shows when they start up again. These resources, which have been co-produced with Gig Buddies members, will support event organisers to understand the barriers faced by people with a learning disability when attending events. The free guide covers topics such as accessible communication, personal assistant tickets, and quiet spaces.
In addition to producing a free guide, Gig Buddies with Thera Trust has developed learning disability awareness training for venues, festivals, and event organisers. These paid training sessions dive deeper into the history of people with a learning disability in the UK, the social model of disability, and different ways that people may need support at an event.
Ruthanne, who works at Edinburgh University Museums and St Cecilia’s Music Hall commented:
Working in partnership with Gig Buddies is very important for the University Museums and Collections and a real joy! The benefits it brings to our museums and events are many and varied and provide essential insights and development work for our new projects. I am continuously learning and being inspired working with Gig Buddies.
David, a Gig Buddies member, said:
One of the barriers I find is that not all people and venues are aware of autism. Many places do not really know what autism is and they do not have much experience. It’s a positive thing that Gig Buddies are working with venues to make them more aware of hidden disabilities.