Lack of accessibility information at music festival sidelines woman with a disability

A woman who hoped to attend Dieppe's YQM Country Fest with family now plans to forego the show as organizers have not responded to questions about disability accommodations.

The festival, which kicked off on Thursday, draws thousands of country music fans to Dieppe every summer.

Carol Murray has been emailing YQM Country Fest since Aug. 2 to ask about accessible seating, lineups, washrooms, and parking. She has a mobility disability that prevents her from standing for long periods of time.

On Aug. 6, the organization responded to say they "have an accessible section," but did not provide any information beyond that.

Murray has been emailing organizers since then for more information, but has yet to hear back. As of Thursday, the self-described major Luke Combs fan says she will probably stay home.

YQM Country Fest drew thousands during outdoor shows in Dieppe last summer. (YQM Country Fest/Facebook)

"There's absolutely no information about accessibility anywhere on their website … I don't even know if [there] is a seat, because I have a cane, I don't have a wheelchair," Murray said in an interview.

"I don't know if I have to bring my own chair ... Do I have to go wait in line for four hours to walk in? There's too many unknowns. What if I have to use the bathroom? When you have a disability, and you have to use the bathroom, standing in line for hours is basically impossible."

CBC News attempted to reach YQM Country Fest organizers on Thursday but did not receive a response.

Murray says the lack of information has put her in an upsetting position.

"My dream is to see Luke Combs, and my family is all going Saturday and I can't go because they will not respond to me for weeks on end," she said.

A skydiving accident in 1997 that resulted in a 975-metre fall to the ground put Murray in a wheelchair for two years. After more than 20 surgeries, she learned how to walk again, but still lives with mobility limitations and chronic pain.

Because her injuries from the accident prevent her from having children, she said this trip with her niece holds extra significance.

"My nieces and my nephew are my babies ... To go to see her favourite, and one of my favourites, would just be a very special experience," Murray said.

"I don't want my disability to define me ever. And dealing with YQM, they make me — I like to say I have a disability, I am not disabled — but they're making me feel disabled."

Dieppe spokesperson Julie Albert says the city is aware of an accessible platform YQM installed this year and last, for use by people with disabilities, with portable toilets nearby.  (Submitted by City of Dieppe)

City of Dieppe spokesperson Julie Albert said there are no bylaws on accessibility, and all accommodations are up to the promoter.

"We will make sure to have this in our post-mortem after the event and continue to work closely with the organizers in order to ensure easy accessibility," she said in response to Murray's experience.

"My understanding is that those with disability requirements had to contact the event organizers in advance to make arrangements."

Albert noted the city is aware of an accessible platform the organizer installed this year and last, for use by people with disabilities, with portable toilets nearby.

Haley Flaro, executive director at Ability New Brunswick, said information is critical, both online and on site, when it comes to accommodations.

"New Brunswick has the second-highest rate of disability in Canada, 35.3 per cent of the population, and this is a significant tourism market," she said.

Haley Flaro, executive director of Ability New Brunswick, says information about accommodations, both online and on site, is critical. (Radio-Canada)

"People really rely on good information to be able to plan their outings because there's so many barriers in the community."

In absence of that, she said, people may be left behind at home.

Flaro said removable seating to avoid segregating people with disabilities, along with level ground for mobility devices, clear pathways, accessible parking and lowered service platforms are some best practices for large events.

She noted Fredericton's Harvest Music Festival as an example of a festival that, with some exceptions, gets it right.

"People often at other events say, 'Well, people with a mobility disability don't come.' And I often say, 'They can't get in,'" Flaro said. "Harvest is an example where you see people with a mobility disability that want to be there, because they can."

General manager Courtney Steeves says Harvest Music Festival receives training on how to make its event more accessible. (CBC)

While the YQM Country Fest website has a frequently asked questions page, with an "onsite" section, it doesn't mention accessibility.

By comparison, the Harvest Music Festival website has a dedicated accessibility page on its website, with detailed information on each venue.

Festival general manager Courtney Steeves says that approach comes from the equality, diversity and inclusion training staff receive through membership with the Atlantic Presenters' Association.

"Through those opportunities, we have learned from people with the lived experience with disability, saying it's important that they understand coming to a festival what to expect, and that includes a written description," she said.

Harvest Music Festival has a dedicated page on its website to accessibility information and provides details by venue. (Submitted by Harvest Music Festival)

Steeves said the nature of festivals can make accessibility challenging but she believes everyone can find ways to improve.

"People need to recognize, every festival, every event needs to recognize that there are people that have accessibility needs," she said.

Flaro believes some organizations may be in for a rude awakening when regulations from new accessibility legislation — which require universal design standards and accessibility plans — take effect.

"If they're going to have temporary sites throughout the year, like a festival, they're going to have to have accessibility plans," she said.

"It's really important that business, non-profit, governments start thinking about this now because when they're required to submit those plans, it's going to be a shock."