Villa Marina/Gaiety Theatre policies and procedures for the disabled

Summary

The requester asked for the Gaiety Theatre's disability policy and specific procedures for notifying disabled customers about seat suitability during online booking. The authority responded that no formal written policy exists, but detailed access information is available on their website and staff are trained to advise customers to contact them in advance for specific needs.

Key Facts

• There is no formal written disability policy for the Villa Marina & Gaiety Theatre complex.
• A dedicated webpage exists with details on access and assistance for persons with disabilities.
• Ticketing staff receive regular email reminders regarding customers with additional needs.
• Staff advise customers to contact the venue in advance to ensure full and equal access.
• Work is currently underway to review inclusivity policies and enable online booking for wheelchair spaces.

Data Disclosed

• 2017-07-24
• 2017-08-18
• IM96314I
• 3
• 1
• 01624 685375

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

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Our Ref: IM96314I

Date: 18 August 2017

Dear

REQUEST UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2015 (“the Act”)

Thank you for your request dated 24 July 2017. Your request Your request was for the following information: “In relation to the Gaiety Theatre can I please have a copy of: 1. Disability Policy 2. Access for Disabled Persons either Guidelines, Procedure or Policy

Please also provide a copy of the Gaiety's procedures re; website booking for when a disabled person is booking a seat, to inform the disabled person that the chosen seat may not be suitable for someone with mobility issues.

For example, if someone booked a seat in the Amphitheatre, what notification is in place to inform the person that this seat may not be suitable for someone with mobility difficulties.”

Response to your request
1. There is no formal policy on disability, however, it is the general position of the Villa Marina & Gaiety Theatre complex to be as inclusive as possible in providing opportunities for all customers, regardless of physical impairment, to enjoy events and performances.

1. There is a dedicated page on our website with details of access and assistance for those persons with a disability: www.villagaiety.com/villa-marinagaiety-access/

Department of Economic Development Rheynn Lhiasaghey Tarmaynagh

Freedom of Information Co-ordinator 1st Floor St Georges Court Upper Church Street Douglas Isle of Man IM1 1EX

Telephone: (01624) 685375 Website: www.gov.im/ded

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In addition to the above dedicated page of information, during the booking process the information on the attached screenshot is available to customers to provide further information about access to the Gaiety Theatre in particular.

All of our ticketing staff (whether they are based at the Villa Marina, Gaiety Theatre or in the Welcome Centre) receive regular reminders (via email) regarding customers enquiring in person or via telephone about any additional needs or disabilities they may have. As is stated in the ‘Other needs or concerns about your visit’ section at the bottom of the access webpage www.villagaiety.com/villa-marinagaiety-access/, ticketing staff will advise any such customers to contact us in advance of their visit so that we can ensure they have full and equal access to the facilities. The ticketing staff based at Villa Marina often accommodate customers with additional needs for a site visit in advance so they can familiarise themselves with the layout of the building etc. so they feel prepared ahead of whichever event it is they are attending.

By way of further information, work is currently underway on reviewing the current policies in place for inclusivity and access, including the ability to book wheelchair spaces on-line.

Your right to request a review If you are unhappy with this response to your Freedom of Information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post to me at the above address. An electronic version and paper version of our complaint form can be found on the Isle of Man Government website here: https://www.gov.im/about-the-government/freedom-of-information/freedom-of-information- review-request/ Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.
If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1 Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act; or 2 Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.

In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your rights to review is on the Information Commissioner’s website at: www.inforights.im/ Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about Freedom of Information requests can be found www.gov.im/foi.

Yours sincerely

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