A survey of 75 arts attractions from across Britain has found major gaps in the provision of facilities for deaf and hard of hearing people. The survey, carried out by campaigning charity RNID, used mystery shoppers to assess facilities at major arts institutions. 80% of venues visited didn?t have a textphone/minicom service; 50% did not have an induction loop; and 65% lacked published information, to make clear how disabled people should access their centre.
Although there were some beacons of excellence ? the National Theatre, the National Gallery (pictured), and the National Portrait Gallery in London had staff who were deaf aware ? many venue staff were unsure about accessible equipment. Manchester?s Royal Exchange, for example, has an infra-red induction loop system, but, according to the report, staff were unaware of it. Similarly, the King?s Theatre in Glasgow offers signed theatrical performances, but at the time of the survey, didn?t promote this. Mark Morris, Head of RNID?s Access to the Arts Campaign, said, ?When you consider that one in seven people has some degree of hearing loss, it doesn?t make business sense that arts venues are failing to capture the custom of deaf and hard of hearing people.?