Bluedot are proud to have been awarded the Gold level of Attitude Is Everything’s Charter of Best Practice, demonstrating our commitment to improving the live music experience for our Deaf and disabled customers. We proceed to work with Attitude Is Everything to continuously improve our access provisions to try and make Bluedot as accessible as possible.
Please note: Whilst we make every endeavour to cater for the needs of all of our accessible customers, some facilities at bluedot, including the access campsite and viewing platforms are limited in capacity and work on a first come, first served basis.
Please note that access applications for bluedot will open soon.
HOW TO APPLY
In order to successfully apply for accessible facilities you must first purchase a festival ticket and then complete an Access Application form. This can be downloaded here [link]
The documents we accept for supporting evidence for our access applications are listed below, please click for examples.
• Valid Access Card – The Access Card translates your disability/impairment into symbols that highlight the barriers you face and the reasonable adjustments you might need. It informs us quickly and discreetly about the support you need without having to go into loads of personal detail. To apply, please click here.
• DLA Confirmation letter showing receipt of the mobility component of DLA dated within the last 12 months
• PIP Confirmation letter showing receipt of the mobility component of PIP dated within the last 12 months
• Document of registration as severely sight impaired (blind)
• Recognised Assistance Dog ID card
If you don’t have any of the above evidence, there is also a section provided within the application form where you can let us know why you think you may find our access provisions useful.
If you need to send us any correspondence by post please contact us at:
Bluedot Access Team
Office 102
19 Lever Street
Manchester
M1 1AN
Once submitted, we will endeavour to respond within 2 weeks to confirm the status of your access application.
If you feel you are unable to fill out the access application form online, please send us an e mail and we will call you to fill it out over the phone.
Our e mail address is access@discoverthebluedot.com
Assistant tickets
We provide a 2:1 ticket scheme for individuals who would be unable to attend our events without bringing a personal assistant. Once you have bought a full price ticket, please fill in the online Access Application and provide us with a form of supporting evidence as listed on the form in order to receive your personal assistant ticket.
Please note that if you are applying for a PA/Companion ticket you do not need to purchase a separate ticket, we will ask you to include your valid ticket reference number when submitting your application. If you are requesting a PA ticket for a child, you will need to purchase an adult ticket for the child in order to obtain an adult PA ticket.
Viewing Platform
A viewing platform with a stewarded accessible toilet is located beside the Main Stage in the Main Arena and at the rear of the Orbit Stage. In order to gain access to the viewing platform, you need a viewing platform wristband. This also comes with a lanyard that can be worn by a personal assistant or companion so that they can join you on the platform. Please note access to viewing platforms are on a first-come, first-served basis.
Accessible Camping
There will be an Access Information Point within the accessible campsite where customers can collect further information on the access facilities within the festival site. It is also here that additional pre-agreed wristbands can be collected.
The accessible campsite will be separated from general camping. There will be accessible toilets and showers. The accessible campsite will include a covered, 24-hour charging point for power chair batteries. Please assist us with planning by letting us know if you intend to use this service when completing Section 5 of the Access Requirement Form. Customers are free to leave batteries and chairs in this area overnight at their own risk as this service is not stewarded.
Near to the Accessible Campsite there are campsite services (bar, food concessions, first aid and welfare).
Facilities we provide in the accessibility campsite:
- Accessible unisex shower and toilet facilities
- Standard unit showers and toilets
- Fresh water points
- Waste disposal point
- Electrical points for charging wheelchairs and scooters on a first-come first-served basis
This campsite is available to customers who are unable to camp in the standard campsites or who need access to specialist facilities we provide.
Boutique Camping
A number of accessible 5 metre luxury bell tents are available to purchase in our Accessible Campsite. Tents are available for groups of 2 or groups of 4 and come in your preferred bed configuration.
More information on what these luxury bell tents include can be found here.
Live-In Vehicles
Our accessible live-in (campervan/caravan) vehicle pitches are now all allocated – unfortunately no further pitches will be available for live-in vehicles in the accessible campsite for this year’s bluedot.
Parking
An Accessible Car Park is located in our Blue Gate Car Park which is closest to the main entrance to the festival. We do have a limited number of car parking spaces located within the Access Campsite if you are unable to move your vehicle from the campsite. Please note that no cars can be parked directly next to your tent.
Toilets
We will have accessible toilets located throughout the festival site. The toilets that will be manned by our access team will be located at the viewing platforms at the Lovell stage and at the Orbit stage. There will also be manned facilities within the access campsite. The other accessible toilets located throughout the site will not be manned
Medical Services
There will be a First Aid tent located at the entrance to the Main Arena and campsite services. There will also be Medics and First Aiders on patrol around the event. Please let us know in advance if you will be wishing to store medication so we can make the appropriate arrangements. If you require more information, please get in touch.
Assistance Dogs
We welcome assistance dogs on to the site. There will be dedicated spending areas at the festival.
Strobe Lighting
There will be general warning signs around the Main Arena if strobe lighting will be used. Due to the nature of the artists it is likely that strobe lighting will be used throughout the performances. There will not be a warning immediately before a period of strobe lighting.
Hearing Loops
We will have hearing loops located at Blue gate box office, the information point and the access reception
Wheelchair Charing
We can provide power to charge wheelchairs or mobility scooters free of charge in the Access Reception which will be located in the access campsite
Accessibility at bluedot Info Pack
We send out an access info pack that will be your guide to all things access at Bluedot in the weeks leading up to the festival to answer any questions that you may have
Getting around bluedot
The festival is held at Jodrell Bank Observatory which is an existing science facility. The site is divided into three areas. The first area is within existing Jodrell Bank grounds and has hard standing pathways throughout. The second area is the Main Arena which is a grass field. The Main Arena is generally very flat although the land has some small mounds and dips and can get muddy in bad weather. The third area is the existing arboretum and gardens that has a hard standing main path but some activity will only be accessible via grass.
The Accessible Car Park is located at the Blue Gate car park. The ground leading from the Accessible Campsite to the Main Arena entrance consists of hard standing pathway.
Please note: The weather conditions can dramatically affect the ground conditions, so wherever possible please try to consider what preparations you may need to make and equipment you may need to bring along.
LOOKING AHEAD
Things we are working towards having in place in the future:
- Diverse sensory space for our neurodivergent customers
- BSL
- Live captioning
- Mobility scooter hire
- Mobiloo/ Changing places facility
