Disabled Londoners continually miss out on going to arts events because they experience difficulties with: inaccessible transport; public prejudice; lack of confidence and fears about travelling alone; lack of money, particularly with the recent cuts to benefits. 74% of disabled people have no daily contact with people outside their own home, and as a result, experience social isolation and loneliness [Office of Disability Issues (ODI) 2008], a shocking indictment on ‘modern-day’ London.

Shape Tickets 2012 will assist disabled people to get out to arts events during 2012. This will be a social lifeline for many, providing them with their only human contact. Volunteer access assistants will escort members to events, using accessible transport, or simply meeting them at the venue. We will negotiate discounts with venues, and members can chose from group or one-to-one trips. This means members will be able to meet new people at accessible, fun, safe events, at affordable prices.