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AccessKey Toolkit : A Practical Guide to Using eAuditor

The AccessKey Toolkit gives you the insights, while eAuditor Audits & Inspections helps you put those insights into action. Live music should be for everyone. Whether you’re hosting a jazz night in a small café or organizing a sold-out show at a mid-sized venue, accessibility isn’t a bonus—it’s a baseline.

Making Live Music Accessible

This guide shows you how to bring them together—practically, affordably, and in a way that feels second nature.

Why Accessibility Audits Matter in Live Music

Let’s start with a truth: most people don’t realize something is inaccessible until it affects them, a friend, or a guest. But once it happens, it’s hard to unsee. Whether it’s a missing ramp, lack of signage, or confusing lighting, these small barriers create big problems.

Case in Point:

Kelsey, a booking manager at a community venue in Toronto, began using digital Accesskey toolkit to document accessibility features after reading AccessKey’s checklist. At her first show post-implementation, a parent with a wheelchair-bound teen thanked her—because the venue had posted clear bathroom and seating info online. “We chose your show over another because we knew what to expect,” they said.

That’s the power of access done right.

Step 1: Turn the Toolkit into a Digital Inspection Template

AccessKey’s toolkit includes rich, detailed checklists on venue layout, signage, ticketing, performance elements, sensory accommodations, and more. Here’s how you can turn those insights into a repeatable eAuditor inspection:

• Upload checklist sections into eAuditor as custom inspection templates

• Group items under categories: Venue Access, Performance Design, Tickets, Promotion, Emergency Prep

• For each item, allow “Yes / No / Needs Improvement” options with space for comments and photos

• Use conditional logic (if available) to prompt follow-ups when items fail

🛠 Example: If “Automatic door at front entrance” is marked “No,” the inspector is prompted to add a photo and note whether a doorbell or staff greeter is available.

Step 2: Use eAuditor in Pre-Event Walkthroughs

Before load-in, walk through the venue with eAuditor on a mobile device. You’ll move faster, stay organized, and flag issues in real time.

Include checks for:

• Signage visibility (permanent + temporary)

• Accessible routes (entrances, ramps, restrooms, and viewing areas)

• Lighting & contrast (especially at night)

• Emergency procedures (clear exits, backup lighting, loudspeaker + visual alerts)

💬 Anecdote: During a rooftop gig, organizer Evan spotted a tripping hazard—a cable laid across the access ramp. A 2-minute fix with a rubber cable guard prevented a bigger issue later. “We would’ve missed it with just a visual scan,” he said.

Step 3: Check Promotion, Tickets & Listings for Clarity

Access isn’t just about the venue. It starts with information.

AccessKey recommends listing key access info in your event descriptions. Use eAuditor to audit your online presence:

• Event listings (Eventbrite, Facebook, Instagram)

• Posters and digital graphics (contrast, font size, alt text)

• Pre- and post-event emails to ticket holders

Create a custom checklist in eAuditor under “Digital Accessibility,” and assign it to your marketing lead.

✍️ Example questions:

• “Does this listing include the venue’s access details?”

• “Is there contact info for accessibility questions?”

• “Are captions available on social media promo videos?”

Step 4: Engage Artists and Crew with Green Room & Stage Access

According the AccessKey Toolkit, artists need access too. Use eAuditor’s Green Room Inspection Template to confirm:

• Entrance path from load-in bay is step-free

• Seating is flexible and comfortable

• Clear rules for air quality and fragrance-free zones

• Snacks and beverages meet allergy needs

🎤 Real Talk: One touring artist shared how “a 5-minute heads-up that the green room was up a flight of stairs” saved them from an awkward (and avoidable) arrival. Don’t guess—audit.

Step 5: Assign and Track Follow-Up Tasks

One of eAuditor’s strengths is that it turns inspections into action.

When something’s flagged—like a missing sign or uneven lighting—you can assign it to a team member, add a due date, and track the fix. This is especially helpful if you host regular events and want to show progress over time.

🔁 Pro Tip: Set up recurring inspections for seasonal venue changes (e.g. adding heaters or tents in winter).

Step 6: Share Results with Guests and Partners

After the inspection, generate a report in eAuditor and publish your Venue Guide (Appendix 2) and Access Guide (Appendix 3) online. This transparency shows that your team values inclusion.

Don’t worry if you’re not 100% accessible. Being open about what you offer—and what you’re working on—goes a long way.

💬 A promoter in BC told us, “Our audience didn’t expect perfection—they just appreciated knowing what to expect.”

Final Thoughts: Accessibility Is an Ongoing Practice

Both the AccessKey Toolkit and eAuditor remind us: accessibility isn’t a checkbox. It’s a conversation. A mindset. A commitment to being thoughtful and welcoming—even when things get busy.

Start small. Start with what’s doable. Then, build from there.

Want a Pre-Built eAuditor Template Based on AccessKey?

I can use pre-built Accesskey checklist that mirrors the toolkit’s sections—ready to use in your inspections. Just say the word.

Let’s make live music more inclusive, one show at a time.

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