The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) hosts some of Wales’ most significant events, including the Spring Festival, the Royal Welsh Show, and the Winter Fair. With thousands of visitors attending each year, ensuring accessibility for all is a growing priority.
To improve inclusivity across its events, Bryony Pritchard, Membership Officer for RWAS, attended the PIWS 4-day Champion Training Course at the Royal Welsh Showground in February 2025.
Aiming for More Inclusive Events
Bryony’s role involves communicating with members and ensuring they receive the information they need about RWAS events. Her motivation for attending the training was to:
- Gain a better understanding of accessibility requirements across different disabilities
- Identify key improvements for making events more inclusive
- Improve communication of accessibility features for potential attendees
- Ensure RWAS events are open and accessible to a wider audience
Key Takeaways from PIWS Training
The training provided Bryony with valuable insights into event accessibility, including:
- Understanding how different disabilities impact people’s ability to interact with and attend events
- The importance of digital accessibility, particularly for websites and booking systems
- The financial benefits of inclusivity, including the value of the Purple Pound—the spending power of disabled individuals
- The necessity of clearly communicating accessibility features through online platforms and event materials
Turning Knowledge into Action
Following the training, Bryony has taken significant steps towards enhancing accessibility at RWAS events. These include:
- Developing an Accessibility Committee to assess current provisions and plan future improvements
- Short- and Long-Term Planning to implement immediate changes while working on a long-term accessibility strategy
- Improving Digital Accessibility by ensuring event websites and booking systems are fully accessible, making it easier for disabled attendees to find information and plan their visit
Identified Areas for Improvement
The training highlighted key areas where RWAS could enhance accessibility:
- Facility Access – Ensuring venues are accessible for individuals with both physical and hidden disabilities
- Website and Ticketing System Enhancements – Improving digital content to better communicate accessibility provisions
- Staff and Steward Training – Providing accessibility training for staff and volunteers to improve on-site support for attendees
The Value of Industry Collaboration
Working alongside other event professionals during the training provided additional insights, including:
- Learning from Best Practices – Gaining knowledge from organisations that have successfully implemented accessibility measures
- Sharing Resources – Exploring the possibility of sharing accessibility infrastructure, such as adapted toilet facilities, among events to reduce costs
- Enhancing Ticketing Systems – Collaborating with other events that use the same ticket providers to integrate accessible booking features
Implementing an Accessibility Strategy
Recognising the importance of accessibility, the RWAS team is preparing a strategic report outlining short- and long-term goals. In the coming weeks, they will present their findings to the board of directors, covering:
- Existing accessibility measures
- Identified gaps and areas for improvement
- The need for staff and steward training to enhance support for disabled attendees
Immediate Benefits and Expected Outcomes
Although immediate changes are still in progress, Bryony anticipates:
- Incremental improvements at upcoming events, starting with the Spring Festival, which will serve as a test run for new accessibility initiatives
- Positive audience engagement, as clearer accessibility communication encourages more individuals to attend events with confidence
- Improved visitor experience, including the introduction of videos to highlight what to expect on arrival and how to navigate events with accessibility in mind
Further Support and Training Needs
To sustain progress, Bryony has identified the need for:
- Expanded staff training, particularly for gate staff and stewards, to ensure a welcoming and accommodating environment
- Specialised accessibility training, such as dementia awareness, to improve staff interactions with diverse attendee needs
- Ongoing consultation with accessibility experts, maintaining a partnership with PIWS to seek advice and refine strategies as needed
A Commitment to Lasting Change
Participation in the PIWS training has been invaluable for the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society. The training has provided crucial insights, sparked new initiatives, and encouraged collaboration with other event organisers.
By integrating accessibility improvements into both short-term and long-term planning, RWAS aims to create a truly inclusive event experience for all attendees. The society remains committed to continuous learning and action, ensuring accessibility is prioritised in all future events.
Find out more about PIWS and accessibility training at www.piws.co.uk
