To All Venues, Bands, Customers Using Ticketmaster and Mobility Challenged Music Lovers:

Have you ever stopped to think about the sheer challenge faced by mobility-impaired individuals when it comes to attending concerts? Picture this: 80,000 fans vying for 60,000 seats. Among that massive crowd, you might find 50 individuals with disabilities as well as ticket buyers and 20,000 others competing for a mere 30 accessible spots. How is that fair?

Music is a vital source of joy and connection for many disabled individuals. I've been fortunate enough to witness the magic of live music alongside the clients I've worked with in the disabled community. Their faces light up with pure joy as they see their favorite artists perform, allowing them to truly connect with fellow fans and bask in the experience – all without the weight of their disabilities. When we deny them access to ADA seating, it strips away not just their rightful place in the audience, but also their independence, freedom, respect, and dignity. It’s just another way life can throw obstacles in their path due to circumstances they can’t control. 

Let me share a personal story: I care for a remarkable 23-year-old woman who is mute and lives with a rare brain disorder affecting her mobility. She adores music and recently experienced the magic of her very first concert from accessible seats. Although the previous night's show was sold out, tickets were being resold online at exorbitant prices. Interestingly, I learned from an usher that only two people occupied the ten available seats in the accessible section that evening. On our concert night, just one other person was in the area designated for accessibility.

A few weeks later, I faced a daunting challenge while trying to secure ADA seats for my disabled roommate to see My Chemical Romance at Soldier Field. All 20 wheelchair-accessible seats vanished almost instantaneously. Yet, within an hour, I stumbled upon ADA-accessible tickets on SeatGeek and another resale site—at three times Ticketmaster's price!

It's crucial to highlight that Ticketmaster doesn't require proof of disability for purchasing tickets. Their policy states that accessible seats are reserved for fans with disabilities and their companions, and those abusing this system risk cancellation of their orders. However, the reality is that many people—like my friends who rely on wheelchairs or walkers—have encountered empty ADA seats that we’ve asked to occupy during events, only to be denied because someone else had simply purchased the tickets. Shockingly, these seats often remain unfilled as non-disabled patrons opt for other open spots then to sit in ADA seats.

It is crucial to understand Ticketmaster's position regarding third-party sales: they indicate that for certain events, they are not the primary sellers and therefore cannot guarantee that accessible tickets will be available for resale. I have repeatedly contacted venues and box offices to inquire about ADA accommodations, only to receive no response, despite many venues prominently advertising "Accessibility" coordination services on their websites. Ticketmaster directs inquiries to the venue, while the venue attributes the issue to Ticketmaster, Live Nation, Jam, or other entities involved in the event sales.

I recognize that providing 20, 30, or even 50 accessible seating options is minimal compared to the revenue generated by "regular" seats. Nevertheless, one must consider whether the concert experience should be inclusive and enjoyable for all individuals. It is imperative that we collaborate to ensure that music can be experienced collectively, free from unnecessary obstacles for those who are deserving of the opportunity to enjoy it just as much as anyone else.

To read more regarding the 2010 ADA stadium requirements please visit:ADA 2010 Assembly areas

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