A music lover is launching a fully accessible rave to break down barriers for disabled fans.
Joe Skinner, 25, from Padiham, is a wheelchair user and lifelong house music fan.
He is the organiser behind United By The Groove, a new event designed to make the music scene more inclusive.
The event will debut at The Yard in Manchester on Saturday, September 20, and aims to address the challenges disabled people face at music events.
Mr Skinner said: "I’ve been attending house music events for the last decade and there are usually so many exhausting things to worry about.
"Can I get into the building in my wheelchair? Will there be a step?
"Will I fit through the doorway? Will I be stuck on the wrong floor so I can’t hear the music?
"Will the toilets be accessible?"
He also shared concerns about the social barriers disabled people encounter.
Mr Skinner said: "Sometimes people talk to your friends instead of you or are accidentally patronising, but the reason is people are not used to seeing disabled people at these events, either as music fans or musicians."
The event is a collaboration with Lee from Compakt, Gabe from XtraTrax and Charlie Hickling.
The venue will be fully accessible for the night.
It will include braille signage, a lowered bar with an audio loop, accessible toilets, and a sensory chill-out room.
The line-up features leading disabled DJs, including Jake Smith, who recently played Creamfields alongside Fatboy Slim.
Other performers include AJ Murphy, Finley Allen and Matty Taylforth.
Mr Skinner said: "That’s why we decided to launch United By The Groove, to do something about it for the greater good of disabled music fans, and we’re thrilled to have The Yard working with us to create a fully accessible event – they’ve been superb."
All proceeds from the event will go to Sense, the national disability charity.
READ MORE:
- Beach House Blackpool announces its calendar of events through to 2026
- Blackburn schoolgirl delighted after making final of Miss Teen Great Britain
- One of East Lancashire's oldest firms opens doors for family fun day
Stephanie Tyrrell, head of arts and wellbeing at Sense, said: "United By The Groove is an incredible concept and we’re delighted they are fundraising for Sense while working to open up the music industry to more disabled performers and music fans.
"We hope everyone loves taking part in a fully inclusive launch event."
Tickets are available through Skiddle.
Donations to Sense can be made via Just Giving.
For more information, visit unitedbythegroove on Instagram or sense.org.uk.
