Today, The O2 has announced that it has been awarded Platinum status by disability charity Attitude is Everything, in recognition of the venue’s commitment to improving accessibility for disabled fans, artists, and staff. A proud and longstanding advocate for improved accessibility in music and live event venues, The O2 is the first UK arena to achieve Platinum status, having previously been the first UK arena to achieve Gold status back in 2013.
Recognised as the world’s busiest venue, The O2 has long worked closely with Attitude is Everything on their Live Events Access Charter, ensuring that across the venue there is clear understanding of the potential access requirements of Deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent visitors, to ultimately create a best-in-class experience for all.
The Charter requires venues to demonstrate practical actions they have done to improve accessibility and an ongoing commitment to improve over time, with Platinum awards granted to venues that have demonstrated ‘long-term progress and innovation’. As a world-leading venue at the forefront of driving industry change, The O2 is committed to raising the bar for accessibility at live events and has introduced several integral initiatives this year which have contributed to this landmark Platinum status.
This includes, but is not limited to, a quarterly access forum with disabled customers and external consultants to advise on venue improvements based off of lived experiences; the introduction of Sensory Bags to support neurodivergent guests; and significant digital enhancements to ensure a fully accessible website and online customer journey, including the integration of Nimbus Access Card within the AXS ticketing platform to improve the ticket purchase flow for guests with accessibility requirements.
Commenting on the award, Sam Oldham, Venue Director at The O2, said: “As a passionate advocate for inclusivity and access at live event venues, I’m extremely proud of all the work that our teams do to make The O2 a truly accessible venue, and to have that recognised by Attitude is Everything with the Platinum award is a huge honour.”
“The O2 is a world-leading venue, and with that comes a responsibility to drive change and pave the way for the wider industry, and we’re really proud to be doing that for accessibility as the first UK arena to achieve this award. Creating a best-in-class experience for all is at the heart of everything we do, so we will continue to take on feedback and work closely with Attitude is Everything to build on this achievement moving forwards.”
Alex Covell, Live Events Access Manager at Attitude is Everything, added: “We’re thrilled that The O2 has been presented with the Platinum Award for their exceptional commitment to accessibility and inclusion. For over a decade, The O2 has made significant strides in inclusive practices. Their comprehensive approach includes accessible recruitment processes; providing detailed, advanced information to audiences; excellent on-site facilities, such as their Changing Places and ‘Safe Space’; and innovative solutions such as haptic technology and sensory bags.
The team at The O2 are dedicated to ongoing development and are fully committed to ensuring that everyone has the best event experience possible. Their efforts extend beyond the arena itself, as they inspire and collaborate with partners and other spaces to adopt inclusive practices, such as introducing ‘Quiet Hours’ at the Virgin Media Gamepad. The Platinum Award reflects The O2’s leadership in accessibility and their deep engagement with the disabled community.”
This announcement follows the news that The O2 was named as the first UK arena to become an official member of the Hidden Disability Sunflower scheme in 2023, alongside the venue’s catering partner Levy UK and security provider G4S. The O2’s work and commitment to accessibility sits under the venue’s wider CSR platform, Good Vibes All Round – an initiative established to underpin The O2’s work across sustainability, accessibility, charity, and community.
Image credit: Luke Dyson.
