I like it. The reality is that many venues can't be made wheel-chair accessible but hopefully this would push those that can to do it.

I agree that more information needs to be made available sometimes, but would argue that the venue-specific information is the place to do it.

Focusing on the Fringe (with its many temporary venues in weird places), the venue information at the back of the programme and online can often go into some depth about the nature of any access difficulties. A symbol against the show listing might be too blunt a tool: a single step might make a venue inaccessible for wheelchair users, but a customer who could manage it with assistance and a walking aid might overlook the show unnecessarily.

I think the more information that's available the better, but in such a way that empowers people to make the decision themselves.

I agree a single symbol may be blunt a tool, and I note this years fringe programme has info like "Accessible WC", "Wheelchair accessible", "assistance dogs welcome" and more. A more refined symbol system needed, good point.

But I think having symbols against shows is good, as well as detailed information in the back in the venue guide.
a) It makes it easier for ppl with disabilities to see at a glance when picking shows.
b) it puts pressure on the venues to adapt.

At the very least, a symbol meaning "some people will have problems, check the information at the back" might be useful.

Yes, I agree, if implemented successfully and comprehensively. But what if 5% of Fringe shows are not labelled correctly – that's over 100 shows. I would advocate lots of information in the venue guide and a blanket 'buyer beware, check the venue guide' for anyone who might have access requirements.

Maybe I'm being petty on this one though!

Well, 5% seems like quite a high percentage of errors in fairness, given the amount of detail that is already (correctly) included in the show listings. They're quite good at putting it together!

My experience would be that worst case scenario it would only take one year of a venue not making sure their venues and shows are labelled correctly and getting disappointed customers arriving with tickets for the venue managers to pay 100% attention to whether or not they were labelling themselves properly, just as it would if you had to endure a festival with a typo in your box office phone number or pricing!

It would also be a useful data point (with more detailed data available too) in the listings API and allow user groups with particular access requirements better visibility of shows that are and aren't suitable for them.

Yes, you're right Andrew: I think it's too late at night for me to be contributing to these discussions!

My three years on Fringe programme production were good fun and we did, indeed, get very few complaints for the amount of information included. You've highlighted the role of the venues in making sure the information is correct though, which I think is at the heart of this.