Following a competitive tender process, Creu Cymru – the development agency for theatres and arts centres in Wales will lead on this brand new enterprise in collaboration with Diverse Cymru, and supported by Kirsty Hoyle of Include Arts and Emma Evans, freelance consultant and arts manager.

The aim of the project is to create a single National access scheme for disabled customers and their carers enabling them to access consistent concessions when purchasing tickets across all theatres and arts centres in Wales. The developed scheme will be rolled out nationally in autumn 2014 and will also act as a catalyst to encourage new audiences into our theatres and arts centres and raise the bar in terms of accessibility across the venue network.

In April 2013, Arts Council of Wales commissioned Creu Cymru to undertake a research project into the feasibility of a national access scheme for disabled customers and their carers. This next phase is a direct result of the research carried out culminating in the development, implementation and management over a three-year period of a sustainable Disabled Visitors’ Card Scheme.

The vision is to develop a scheme that is co-produced with key stakeholders, with a particular focus on working with disabled people and their carer’s pan-impairment. The scheme will develop a criteria and an application process that is fair, transparent and credible and there will be a series of consultation events across Wales in June and July to start this process.

As well as the development and implementation of the national card scheme. The project will importantly also focus on supporting theatres and arts centres and the wider performing arts sector to address wider issues of accessibility.

Project Manager, Emma Evans said:

"We know from our previous research and existing knowledge of the sector that there is a need to develop skills and understanding so we are able to improve the quality of customer experiences as well as develop the offer in terms of accessible programming.

"We also know that there are opportunities to build relationships between theatres and arts centres and their local communities, developing audiences but also capitalising on local expertise and building capacity.

We want to develop and share models of good practice and draw on the skills and expertise in our partnership with Diverse Cymru to maximise the opportunity that the development of this scheme presents. We want a scheme that is not only sustainable but that also has a legacy in terms of moving forward the conversation and level of engagement in issues of accessibility."

Diane Hebb, Director, Engagement and Participation, Arts Council of Wales concluded:

"The National Disabled Visitors Card Scheme is an exciting and ambitious initiative that will result in a major change in how our disabled customers access the arts in Wales. We, at Arts Council of Wales, have been in conversation with disabled visitors and their carers for some time about the possibility of developing a national scheme and I am delighted that we have now reached the point where we can begin to make this a reality. The partnership between Creu Cymru and Diverse Cymru promises to make this a ground breaking and far reaching transformation."

http://www.artswales.org.uk/67609