Increasing accessibility of cultural venues: All In digital membership system

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3 minute read
Jo Morrison

Jo Morrison

Director of Digital Innovation & Research

Digital Placemaking

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In the UK, creativity and culture is extraordinarily important to society and the economy. Theatres, museums, galleries and libraries are the beating heart of our towns and cities, contributing around £10.6 billion to the UK economy. Not only do they bring prosperity, they bring communities together and make life richer.

Recognising that often these creative and cultural experiences are not equally accessible to all people, ‘All In’ is a pioneering new UK and Ireland arts access scheme for D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people being developed by Arts Council England, Arts Council of Ireland, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Arts Council of Wales and Creative Scotland.

“All In aims to fundamentally improve the experience of D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people attending creative and cultural events across the UK and Ireland through barrier removal, making it easier to book tickets and to offer consistency”.

Andrew Miller, UK’s Arts Access Champion, All In

As well as creating the UK and Ireland’s first accessibility standards for creativity and culture, All In aims to use technology to simplify the ticket booking process for people with access needs. Its ambition is to create a digital membership system through which disabled people only need to provide details of their access needs once, rather than repeating the process for each location. With an All In account, disabled members will find clear, accurate information about accessible performances and the facilities available, allowing them to book and attend a location with confidence.

“All In are delighted to be working with Calvium. We are in a position to change how the creative and culture sector works and to change people’s lives. And given their background, Calvium are an excellent partner to be working with on this important technology.”

Phil Lofthouse, Tech Lead, All In 

Calvium, with our partners Yoti, are delighted to be part of the multi-agency team who have been commissioned to deliver this innovative project. We are passionate about All In and appreciate the opportunity to use our expertise to deliver the secure and easy-to-use digital membership platform that will underpin the seamless booking experience.

A group of 15 people smiling to camera
The multi-agency team bring together industry expertise and lived experience.

By working closely with agency collaborators, customers, the sector and ticketing services we will ensure that the booking needs of a diverse audience are met. As such, new visitors will be attracted to creative and cultural locations and help increase overall attendance.

3 photos. 1 person in Millennium Centre, Cardiff, looking at phone with headphones. 2 A wayfinding floor sign in the venue. 3 Four people together looking at phone sharing comments during app accessibility testing.
Calvium has a history of delivering pioneering digital projects to enhance accessibility. The UCAN GO wayfinding app enables people with sight loss to navigate indoor cultural venues independently and with confidence.

As part of our participation in All In, Calvium is also delivering an inspiring Social Value programme that is committed to enhancing digital inclusion and reducing the disability employment gap. Through our bespoke Mentored Training Programme and commitment to the UK government’s Disability Confident Employer Scheme we shall help to challenge attitudes, enhance skills and increase understanding of disability.

Nothing motivates the Calvium team more than using our skills to positively impact people’s lives, and with this innovative project we have the opportunity to make major change happen across the UK and Ireland.

Creativity and culture should be accessible to all. By removing barriers, organisations can welcome more people with access requirements through their doors to experience the brilliance of the creative and cultural scene.

 

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