Frank Frenzy (in sunglasses) with supporting cast Kieron Wild, Ellen Goodey & Richard Travi demonstrate what can happen when people with learning difficulties try to get into a mainstream club.

Photo: Louise Wallis

  
 



Discrimination

On the door: Night clubs have a proud history of discrimination - Studio 54
in New York, the most famous night club in the world, built its reputation
on its exclusive door policy. This tradition continues today with many clubs
revelling in exclusivity and operating door policies that exclude anyone who
isn’t smart or trendy enough.

Door staff often make snap decisions about who can and can’t come in, usually based on a person’s appearance. If they don’t like the way someone looks they won’t let them in - and they don’t even have to give a reason! People with learning difficulties suffer more discrimination than the average clubber because sometimes they look different and they don’t always act or dress in conventional ways. Door staff can be surprised and embarrassed when confronted with someone with an obvious learning difficulty because they just don’t expect them to be there. They can also be rude and intimidating.

Jackie Ryan says: "They need to change their attitude. One day they could have a
child with learning difficulties and they wouldn’t want them to be treated
as badly as us."

Inside the club: People feel comfortable at clubs like The Wild Bunch
because they know they are not going to stand out from the crowd: they can
relax, and have a good time without worrying what people are thinking of
them. In mainstream clubs, however, they run the risk of being stared at,
laughed at and even bullied by other clubbers. This kind of harassment
doesn’t make for a carefree night out.

At the moment it is very rare to see a person with a learning difficulty in a mainstream club. I do know one or two individuals who go out to mainstream
clubs with a group of non-learning-disabled friends (who effectively shield them from any trouble). But a group of people with learning difficulties going to a
mainstream club on their own is something I’ve yet to see. And for good
reason.

Jackie Ryan says: “We are basically the same as them we haven’t come from outer space, we haven’t got four heads and three eyes".


Accessibility

Many people with learning difficulties also have a physical disability,
which can make it even more difficult to get into a club. The Disability
Discrimination Act is starting to improve access - as are groups like
Attitude is Everything (www.artsline.org.uk/attitude/) who work with clubs and
music venues to make them accessible and user-friendly. There are many other
considerations besides putting in a ramp.

Clubs also need to:

• Train staff in disability issues
• Install toilets for wheelchair-users on ground level
• Produce accessible information
• Make merchandise points, box office, bar and food counters accessible to
  disabled people, eg. lowered counters of 800 mm
• Put up clear information signs in contrasting colours, large print and at a
  suitable height for all to see
• Provide appropriate seating, with priority use by disabled people.


Safety

Wherever people drink to excess there is unfortunately the potential for
fighting and arguments. People with learning difficulties also like a drink
but they want to be confident that staff at a club will have the skills and
experience to deal with any problems. It is very important for people with
learning difficulties to feel safe and to know that they will be protected
from potential abuse. Those with health problems, eg. epilepsy, also want to
know that staff will know how to help them if they become ill.

Jackie Ryan says: “They need to do some training, to train people to work with us
and to get them to understand what we are going through”.


Transport & support

These are major issues. Of the 200 plus people who come to the Wild Bunch,
50 per cent will have needed support to get there, either because they are
physically disabled, or because they lack the skills and/or confidence
needed to travel independently. Women in particular can feel vulnerable
travelling alone. Others require the moral support of a support worker to
help them feel at ease and make friends.


Performance opportunities

People with learning difficulties want to be active, not passive - to
entertain as well as be entertained. Mainstream clubs currently offer no
opportunities for people with learning difficulties to show off their
talents as performers (eg. DJ, MC, singer, comedian, dancer, musician,
actor).


Participation

People with learning difficulties also want the opportunity to be involved
in running a club - to make decisions, design flyers, give press interviews
and learn new skills as trainee promoters, sound engineers, stage managers
and lighting technicians. Club organisers also get a huge thrill out of
making it happen and seeing people enjoy themselves.

Jackie Ryan says: “I do the lights at the Wild Bunch. I like to stand on the
balcony and watch everyone having a great time”.

The Wild Bunch is currently carrying out a special investigation into
discrimination by mainstream clubs. Watch this space...

For more clubbing info see: www.wildbunchclub.com