Featured Charity of the Month
Attitude is Everything
Improving Deaf and Disabled People’s Access to Live Music
The Attitude is Everything project was set up in response to young disabled people’s complaints of unfair treatment at live music venues, clubs and festivals in the UK. Artsline realised that the music industry was not aware of their obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act, and the project was set up to work positively with the industry to raise awareness and launched in September 2000.
They have already made significant steps within the music industry and are working in partnership with Festival Republic, Live Nation, Channelfly and Academy Music Group to improve access at all their bars, clubs, music venues and festivals. They run a Charter of Best Practice that 41 venues have signed up to which includes both access and attitude elements and lists simple steps that can be undertaken to improve disabled people’s experiences when attending. With help from a team of disabled mystery shoppers, Attitude is Everything obtain feedback on how accessible venues are and how they are managed from a customers’ perspective. This information is fed back to the venues so that they can look to make improvements. They also offer Disability Equality Training and undertake Access Audits to advise on adaptations that may be required.
More information can be found at www.attitudeiseverything.org.uk.
About Attitude is Everything Ltd:
On the 1st April 2008, the project separated from its host organisation Artsline to become Attitude is Everything Ltd. It is now operating as Company Limited by Guarantee with Registered Charitable Status. Its registered charity number is 1121975 and company number is 6397532.
The Arts Council England have supported the change programme and has now made Attitude is Everything one of its Regularly Funded Organisation for the next three years. The Arts Council England have made a commitment to supporting organisations who have a strong and effective influence of increasing audience attendances; and everyone involved with Attitude is Everything is pleased that they have received this just recognition, so that they can develop the new charity and realise the potential of the organisation, both in terms of service growth and financial sustainability.
Club Attitude:
In December 2004 Attitude is Everything launched a new club night at the Spitz called Club Attitude. The ethos is simple – to hold great club nights at venues with excellent disabled access and to pro–actively book disabled artists amongst regular bills of exciting, inventive and groundbreaking music. Club Attitude aims to showcase the talents of disabled and non-disabled musicians and DJ's, and to promote best practice by demonstrating to the industry how to put on a fully accessible club night, occasionally including Sign Language Interpreters and Audio Description.
Previous Headliners include Mystery Jets, Art Brut, The Rock of Travolta, Dead! Dead! Dead!, thecocknbullkid and Foals. There have also been DJ sets from Alexa Chung, Alan McGee, Stevie Chick, 80's Matchbox B-line Disaster and Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.
The Attitude is Everything team:
Suzanne Bull is the Chief Executive Officer, and working alongside her is the Business and Operations Manager, Graham Griffiths. He is responsible for fundraising, networking, administration, and the financial planning and financial management of Attitude is Everything Ltd. In addition, Attitude is Everything employs a freelance promoter, Graeme Wall, to work on Club Attitude and other Attitude live events, a freelance Mystery Shopping Co-ordinator, Mandi Peers, and a freelance Website Editor, Fred Williams. They have a Board of Trustees, chaired by Del Garland, and it is made of up industry professionals, venue managers, journalists and musicians who meet every 3 months.
Contact Details:
Suzanne Bull – Chief Executive Officer
suzanne@attitudeiseverything.org.uk
Graham Griffiths – Business and Operations Manager
graham@attitudeiseverything.org.uk
Tel: 020 7383 7979
Attitude is Everything Ltd
54 Chalton Street
London
NW1 1HS
www.attitudeiseverything.org.uk
www.myspace.com/attitudemyspace
Facebook Group
See past charity of the month entries here.