Barclaycard presents British Summer Time Hyde Park are passionate about their event providing the best experience possible for all fans and continue to update their accessibility across the site.

Whether music lovers want the ‘24K Magic’ of multi-platinum superstar Bruno Mars or to see the final European concert of Paul Simon, we want everyone to enjoy the world-famous superstars in Hyde Park.

Roger Waters, Eric Clapton, Michael Buble and The Cure complete the headliners for Barclaycard presents British Summer Time Hyde Park 2018, marking another huge year for the festival and tens of thousands of fans.

In 2013, BST Hyde Park was proud to be awarded the Silver Level of the Charter of Best Practice by Attitude is Everything, a charity that improves deaf and disabled people’s access to live music. This is the first time a UK event has received the award in its first year. Since then Barclaycard presents British Summer Time Hyde Park has worked to improve accessibility year upon year.

The latest updates for 2018 come in the form of a more efficient booking system, continuous improvements to the operation of viewing platforms, improvements to BSL (British Sign Language) provision, and newly announced, Ticketing Without Barriers coalition launched by Attitude is Everything to make sure we continue to lead the way.

Revised Booking System
As of 2018, ticket holders have the opportunity to provide their evidence of disability in advance. The advantages of this are that people will not need to bring their private documents with them on the day and it will also enable the festival to build a database of accepted evidence so that they don’t need to resubmit in future years. The closing date for submitting evidence is Friday 8th June 2018. You can download the Supporting Document Form here

In Attitude is Everything’s State of Access Report 2018 – Barclaycard presents British Summer Time Hyde Park was one of the listed venues/events that were praised by customers in their Access Booking Servey.

Viewing Platform Improvements 
Following customer feedback, the Barclaycard Stage Viewing Platform is now in an improved location and has an improved access route as well as better access to nearby accessible toilets. Roving vendors for drinks service on Main Stage viewing platform will continue after last year’s trialled success.

British Sign Language (BSL)
This year Barclaycard presents British Summer Time Hyde Park has improved its BSL provision. Taking last year’s feedback on board, they will be improving the visibility and quality of the screen-in-screen display, as well as making the interpreters more visible at the side of the stage.

Hearing Impairments
Promoted for 2018 is a Typetext service for those with hearing impairments who wish to contact a member of our customer service team by phone. This can accessed be via our dedicated Typetext number 18001 0203 481 55 06. A text relay assistant will relay the phone conversation between you and the person you’re calling or who is calling you.

Ticketing Without Barriers
AEG Presents are proud to be a founding member of the new Ticketing Without Barriers coalition launched by Attitude is Everything. We pledge to work together on industry-leading solutions to ensure an equal ticketing experience for Deaf and Disabled Audiences. For more information please click HERE.

Festival Director, Jim King says, “We are proud to be the first UK event to receive the Silver Level of the Charter in their first year, and we further this progress by announcing that we are a founding member of the new Ticketing Without Barriers with Attitude is Everything. We hope to continue to make events inclusive to everyone.”

British Summer Time Hyde Park caters for all access requirements. Guests are able to enjoy three accessible viewing areas over two stages and exclusive wandering vendors, all of which can also be enjoyed with a friend or family member with the use of an interchangeable, free Personal Assistant Pass. Expanding upon the ‘Quiet Space’ facility, one of the main objectives for 2018 is to make sure that the festival is inclusive for those with invisible disabilities. British Summer Time Hyde Park are maintaining their award-winning accessibility services with their Accessibility route video, Hearing induction Loops, Accessible toilets with hoist and British Sign Language Performance Interpreter for all Great Oak Stage performances when requested.

Paul Allott
Author: Paul Allott

Paul Allott is a director and co-founder of Event Industry News, Event Tech Live and the Event Technology Awards.