I never ask for extra consideration as a wheelchair user who loves music. I only ask for the opportunity to partake in the wonder of live music.
The atmosphere of tight spaces, screaming crowds, and loud deafening music is pure excitement. For the majority of the audience, a live concert is their type of entertainment. Except, of course for those in wheelchairs.
I seem to have a knack for making things difficult for myself as I enjoy going to these events held in Delhi, which has a lot of World, and Indian performers, considering I am but a wheelchair user. The night, which is supposed to be thrilling and fun, instead, turns out to be a nightmare, as we cross one barrier after another. For more context read this: Tannaz Irani on health crisis which left her in a wheelchair: ‘I didn’t want to live anymore.’
I still vividly recall the first time I went to Delhi with a friend to see one of my favourite artists perform. Well, more like, I wheeled up to the venue only for that anticipation to be ruined, however, the moment I arrived, the first daunting factor was the location itself, as it left me helpless trying to look for a parking. If my memory serves me well, I had to walk about, ‘more than a kilometer away’ accompanied by my friend as we quickly became concerned about stray animals and the cold, but not surprising, gross weather. By the time we managed to finally make it to the venue, little walking was left until I was exhausted.
To my absolute disbelief, the harsh winds outside were the least of my concerns. Such sensitivity towards the ideas of basic accessibility could’ve been managed if there had been rails built; To my dismay even these were nowhere to be found. Let alone making matters easier, such factors just went ahead to show how unconcerned the organizers were to cover up the harsh terrain that lay before us.
Searching for physical constraints in a concert
In comparison with other fans, they do not have these hardships because they do not have to suffer from the physical constraints for navigation or asking the employees for help. For them, the concert becomes a means of escaping however that is not the case for me as it feels more like a challenge to my endurance.
Now even after making way through the concert venue, I am still faced with additional difficulties with seating. I do not have a specific designated area as a wheelchair user and am rather lost in a mass of people wanting to get closer to the stage.
Regrettably, many are still callous to the requirements of the wheelchair enabled, although certain places like Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and Airia Mall have begun addressing the accessibility issue. Read as well | SC issues mandatory guidelines for airports dealing with wheelchair users
It’s not a valid reasoning after all primarily because most concert venues in the West have incorporated accessibility for individuals with disabilities including wheelchair spots that are within sight of the stage and doorways that are easy to access. These measures not only enhance the level of security but also staff responsibilities to ensure equal enjoyment of the venue.
India, as well, has to catch up. The expanding live music industry is witnessing a sharp rise in the number of international and Indian acts including Coldplay, Diljit Dosanjh, Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, among others. Thankfully, artists have started to draw attention in accessible theater for the disabled. During a recent show in Chandigarh, Diljit Dosanjh pointed out the infrastructural problems concert venues in India face.