*Disclaimer: I am in no way trying to brag, act selfish, rich, or privileged. I want to show you what my experience is like being a fan and music journalist with an invisible disability. If you think that I am acting rich or privileged than please don't continue reading this because that is not my intent. Thank you for reading!
Text Top: New blog post
Text Bottom: "I'm Grateful All the Time": My Journey Purchasing concert tickets as disabled fan (without an ADA seat)
Part 1: Why am I writing this?
Last year, I attended over a dozen concerts by myself and with my dad accompanying me for safety reasons. As a fangirl who loves live music, it took me a long time to realize how unfair the ticket pricing system is for fans in need of ADA accommodations and or seats. It's not because I was ignorant of ADA accommodations. It is because I am an individual living with an invisible disability: a chronic illness.
My accommodations vary from a person who has a visible disability and a mobility device.
The accommodations I need to enjoy a live show are:
-early entry because I have energy deficiency and fatigue (if there is none I stand in line like everyone else)
-a chair, stool, bar stool, or whatever the venue can provide to sit on
-the ability to bring in diabetes medication and or snacks to bring my glucose reading up
-a space for a companion to sit or stand (usually, companions who are able-bodied are forced to stand with people who have disabilities)
Why am I telling you this personal information?
Well because I'd like for people to see the concert experience from my perspective as a disabled concertgoer with a chronic illness. Additionally, there are so many blogs created by disabled music lovers, however I have more often the not noticed that these people have visible or physical disabilities. I've only seen a handful of fans write about their experiences going to a concert without the need of an ADA seat.
Part 2: Real laws, Regulations, Ticket sales rules, and Tata
This pink link here is the ADA.Gov website on ticket sales rules and regulations if you want to read about who can sit where, sell tickets, and purchase tickets based on your disability.
(Image cred to ADA.gov)
I made this chart this chart about my ticket purchases from the last ten years. It gives you an idea of how much $$$$$ a GA/pit ticket is vs. a seated ticket. (I wanted to mention that with my illness, I can walk down stairs and don't need a mobility device to travel, that's why these are regular tickets not ADA seats)
Also, I recognize that ticket sale cost varies by artist popularity, venue size, location, and other logistics. I work in the music industry. It just so happens to be like that.
And lastly, I wanted to mention that my journey as a disabled fan varies a lot from a fan purchasing an ADA seat and companion seat. I cannot talk about that as I don't have that experience. *Again the cost of these tickets is in no way showing that I am rich or selfish. I'm sharing it because I want someone to see what I have been through as an invisible illness girly. **I added the NYC Olivia ticket to show you the difference between an arena vs. a bar vs. a standing room only venue. (I was lucky enough to get pre-sale)
Joshua Bassett w/ Lindsey Lomis | GA Standing Only (over 1,00 cap) | The Fillmore in Silver Spring, MD | 2 tickets | $35 each plus tax and fees |
Big Time Rush w/ MAX and JAX | GA Pit and Seats (almost 20,000 cap) | Merriweather Post Pavilion, MD | 2 seated tickets in section 2oo main section | $450 total for 2 plus tax and fee |
Modern Love Band w/ Yoste | Standing room GA (under 500 cap) | The Atlantis, D.C | 2 tickets GA standing Only | $25 plus fees |
Olivia Rodrigo | Pit GA and Seats | Madison Square Garden, NYC | One seat in section 2241 | $135 plus tax and fees |
5sos W/ Hey Violet (this was in 2016) | GA Pit and seats (25,000 capacity) | Jiffy Lube Live, VA | 2 VIP tickets plus food service and VIP box seat and table, plus free parking | $200 each plus fees |
(Seat views from: The 9:30 club D.C, The Fillmore Silver Spring, and The Anthem D.C. This is NOT an ADA seat. Its a general admission seated or standing ticket view w/ an accommodation bar stool or plastic chair)
Part 3: My Frustration Rant
I know that I'm spending a lot of money on concert tickets. I recognize that not every disabled fan is able to do what I do. I spend a lot of time helping my friends find concert tickets or with other tasks via the internet. I am really grateful that I have the money to afford these shows. I am grateful for my dad being my concert buddy and personal driver.
Having said this, I want to mention that there's other external battles that I am fighting. I am an only child since my sister passed away in 2016. This means that I either have to do activities alone (I'm 24), or struggle to find someone to meet up with me who has transportation. I also have to take in consideration that not all of my friends and family understand my chronic illness and capabilities. There are several other reasons why I am in a tough situation right now but the last one is that: I have over a dozen medications to carry. I can't just do a road trip like any other able-bodied person can.
These are all reasons why I WISH it was easier to get a good view of a show as a disabled fan. More often that none, fans with disabilities are seen as an after thought or not seen at all because they are in the balcony.
If you are looking for a job right now, you know that the job market is s**t. And for people with disabilities, it's basically impossible to find a hybrid or remote opportunity that's accessible.
Part 4: My Statements and Opinions on What We Need to have at future shows with ADA
Fact:
Disabled fans with visible disabilities who have mobility devices like walkers and wheelchairs have different experiences than people with invisible disabilities. However, in the ADA section at concert venues, all fans with disabilities are placed in the same location. But, the catch is that you may be treated differently if you are in a wheelchair vs. someone who is bringing medication in. I have seen this first hand and it's NOT OKAY.
Statement:
I have stated above that I live with a chronic illness BUT I do not need to buy an ADA seat at shows. My disability should not affect the way I am seated at show. And since I am paying for a GA or regular seated tickets, why am I treated unfairly? Society sees disabled people as a burden or after thought.
What Needs to Happen:
There should be no pushing or running to the ADA section. Venue staff can't pick who sits where based on what your physical appearance. You shouldn't be told no when you ask for a ADA seat and are able to walk. If you need it you advocate for yourself. There should should also be space in the ADA area to walk, dance, and fit all concert goers with disabilities and companions. No one should be left out in the ADA section or in front of a lamp post or gate.
DISABLED FANS SHOULD be able to enjoy a concert like all the other able-bodied people who paid about or above the same price as I.
ALL DISABLED FANS DESERVE A GOOD VIEW OF THE SHOW, The ABILITY TO HEAR OR FEEL THE SOUND, AND NICE TREATMENT FROM VENUE STAFF.
Part 5: My Conclusions
-If I paid the same price as an able-bodied fan, why can't I be treated the same way as them when I attend a show?
-The ADA section needs to be bigger and closer to the front of the stage and closer to a sound machine or speaker and ASL interpreter.
Here is a link to an example of a GOOD accessibility concert info sheet: tibi assess australia
I spend all this $$$$$ because I want to see musicians play live like other people do. I love live music. There's also nothing wrong with having a concert obsession if you are disabled.
Love what you love. Don't let your disability stop you from having fun.
I find it unfair to have to shell out hundreds of dollars just to enjoy an event like any other able-bodied fan who doesn't have physical limitations. (people who get barricade or camp or can stand in a GA line for hours on end)
It's imperative for standing room only general admission venues to adhere to ADA laws and cater to fans with disabilities and go far beyond the bare minimum because the ADA is written horribly.
The issue of scalpers and platforms like Ticketmaster is a universal frustration.
Concert venues must establish clear guidelines for accommodating individuals with disabilities who don't use mobility aids.
If you work in a box office listen to the fans needs and accommodations and do the research. I can't emphasize how much some box office staff and security don't know shit about the venue they work at.
I'm still grappling with frustration, unemployment, and receiving subpar accommodations at concerts.
Being part of the music industry myself, I urge fellow industry professionals to recognize and advocate for people with disabilities. And my grievances extend beyond ticket sales to the unequal treatment I face as someone with an invisible illness.
Thank you for reading this if you finished my rant, I am sorry if it is all over the place. I have a lot more to say.
~Kat
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