Rolling Stones concert problems in Austin lead to push for disability task force
The much-publicized parking and other logistical problems at last month’s Rolling Stones concert at Circuit of the Americas has pushed local officials to call for the creation of a task force focused on accessibility issues at area concert venues.
Bruce Elfant, Travis County tax assessor-collector and voter registrar, spoke at Monday’s Music Commission meeting about the difficulties he had trying to attend the concert on crutches due to a foot injury.
Elfant called COTA in advance to check on accommodations for the disabled, but a golf cart transport only took him to the main gate, with staff offering to use a gurney to transport him to his seat because no wheelchairs were available and a tent to address accessibility issues was unstaffed.
After the show, he was told he would need to wait at least 90 minutes for assistance. Instead he opted to hobble on crutches to an area outside the main gate where a crowd of other disabled concertgoers were waiting for help to get back to their cars.
“We were among the last to leave. They were rude to disabled people and we watched them drop an elderly woman who was disabled on the ground,” he said. “COTA is a world-class venue and I know they can do better. We want them to do better. We want our venues to be welcoming and we want it to be a great experience for all of our citizens.”
Read more: https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2021/12/rolling-stones-concert-problems-lead-to-push-for-disability-task-force/
It appears that an ADA lawsuit might be necessary to avoid these issues at the COTA facilities in the future. This isn't the first time that an event has been held there so these type of access issues shouldn't exist anymore and corrective action is necessary.
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