On the accessibility journey: how Visibility Scotland found their perfect ticketing partner

When Visibility Scotland discovered a ticketing platform that shared their unwavering commitment to inclusion, it wasn't just a business decision – it was a mission alignment.

A shared philosophy

Back in 2024, Visibility Scotland was introduced to Humanitix at the beginning of their journey of launching as a charity in Scotland. It was clear from the beginning that it was a match made in heaven. Laura Walker, Visibility Scotland’s CEO explains:

"Visibility Scotland and Humanitix share the same philosophy regarding accessibility. We understand that accessibility is a journey, not a final destination. It's an ever-evolving commitment, a top priority. As organisations, we must be ready and willing to embrace change, adopt new practices, and continuously improve to ensure our services and events are truly inclusive."

Visibility Scotland's CEO Laura Walker speaking at the Humanitix UK launch event

More than just a platform switch

For Visibility Scotland, choosing Humanitix wasn't simply about finding better software – it was about finding true partners. "Accessibility and inclusion are at the heart of everything Visibility Scotland does," Walker emphasises. "As such, we work diligently to partner with companies and stakeholders who share our commitment to accessibility and inclusion."

The introduction led to what Walker describes as "a very positive introductory meeting, where we shared our philosophies and approaches to ensuring that events were as inclusive as possible for people with disabilities." It was this alignment of values that sealed the deal.

“It was after this positive meeting that we took the step to switch from our previous ticketing platform to Humanitix. We do not regret making this move.”

August Wright, Marketing and Administration Manager & Laura Walker, CEO at Visibility Scotland

For August Wright, Marketing and Administration Manager at Visibility Scotland, the decision to switch was crystal clear.

"We've known for a long time that online ticketing is largely inaccessible for people with vision impairments, so as soon as Humanitix came to the UK, it was an absolute no-brainer."

Understanding the stakes

The decision carries particular weight when you understand the scope of the challenge Visibility Scotland addresses. Walker shared some sobering statistics that underscore why accessible ticketing matters so much:

• Loneliness and isolation are the most common and devastating impacts of vision impairment
• Almost 200,000 people in Scotland are living with low or no vision
• With an ageing population and stretched National Health Service, this number is set to double in the next decade
• Stroke is the leading cause of disability in the UK, with around 11,000 people having strokes annually in Scotland, and approximately 50% experiencing visual changes
• In Scotland, 24% of adults have a disability

"At Visibility Scotland, we endorse the social model of disability and champion equality, diversity and inclusion. By partnering with and supporting Humanitix, we are making another step towards an inclusive Scotland for the vision-impaired and disabled communities."

Why accessible ticketing is non-negotiable

Both Walker and Wright emphasise that accessibility challenges don't start when someone arrives at an event – they begin the moment someone tries to book a ticket.

"Many events are inaccessible or challenging for people with vision impairments," Walker explains.

"Exclusion can straddle booking the event to attending on the day. Accessibility must be considered from the get-go. If not, you run the risk of excluding a segment of your audience from attending events or providing a substandard experience for someone with a disability."

Wright frames it even more directly:

"Accessibility is the key to inclusion, and everyone deserves to be included. For us specifically, accessibility is a cornerstone of everything we do. We work extensively with people impacted by vision impairment, so it's key that they're able to access our events. Beyond that though, we champion accessibility in all settings for all organisations, so practicing what we preach and using an accessible ticketing platform ourselves is essential."

Visibility Scotland staff delivering training to Sight Scotland

What makes Humanitix stand out

Both Walker and Wright are enthusiastic about Humanitix's approach to accessibility.

“The accessibility features of Humanitix are one of the reasons that we have switched to them as our ticketing platform. We particularly like:

• The global promotion of accessibility, inclusion and diversity.
• Guidance offered to event hosts to consider adaptations and modifications to increase accessibility.
• Digital tickets that connect to personal calendars, automatically activate reminders and simplifying navigation.”

Wright highlights additional technical strengths:

"The ability to filter events by accessibility features is amazing. On the host side, Humanitix provides a wealth of resources to help hosts promote and hold events in an accessible way. In terms of website accessibility, I know that Humanitix has taken steps on both the front and back end to ensure that the site can be used by people who use screen readers, and to ensure that there is sufficient colour contrast."

Walker's enthusiasm is palpable:

"Humanitix is an ethical and accessible ticketing platform that has a significant social impact. What is there not to love about this social enterprise?! We believe that all ticketing platforms should operate with accessibility and the wider social good in mind. Humanitix is leading the charge, and we're proud to champion them."

A journey, not a destination

Even as strong advocates, both leaders offer constructive feedback for future development. Walker suggests "less cluttered information, aiding navigation for all," while Wright would like to see an 'Accessibility tools' option front and centre on the website that people could click on to adjust text size, contrast, font, and link highlighting.

This feedback demonstrates the collaborative nature of their relationship with Humanitix – it's not about finding perfection, but about continuous improvement together.

Vision impairment simulation activity

A vision for systemic change

Both leaders share ambitious hopes for the broader industry. Walker advocates for fundamental change:

"All events should have accessibility and inclusion at the top of their priority list. People with lived experience should be included in the design and future planning of events; this is the only way to get it right."

Sam and Andy setting up Visibility Scotland's stall at the Walking and Wheels Festival

Wright echoes this call for industry-wide transformation:

"In the future, we very much hope that all online ticketing platforms are accessible for people with vision impairments. We've seen a lot of progress when it comes to accessibility over the past decade, but we still have a long way to go. Alt text, accessibility tools, and screen-reader compatible formatting should be standard across all online spaces."

Beyond accessibility: shared ethics

What truly excites Wright about the partnership extends beyond functionality:

"We're really excited about Humanitix not only from an accessibility standpoint, but also from an ethical perspective. The way that Humanitix is transforming online ticketing into a force for good is inspiring and a mission we're looking forward to being part of."

Visibility Scotland staff with Cycling Scotland

Walker's final words capture this perfectly:

"Visibility Scotland is delighted to welcome Humanitix to Scotland. Finally, a ticketing platform that prioritises accessibility and social impact. Tickets for good, not for greed – hallelujah!"

The bigger picture

Visibility Scotland's partnership with Humanitix represents more than one organisation changing ticketing platforms. It demonstrates what becomes possible when businesses prioritise values alongside functionality, when accessibility is built in rather than bolted on, and when social impact isn't just marketing copy but core mission.

Ali at a Visibility Scotland stall

For the vision-impaired community in Scotland and beyond, partnerships like this signal hope. They point toward a future where accessibility isn't an afterthought but a foundation, where inclusion isn't optional but essential, and where technology serves everyone – not just those who don't face barriers.

As both Walker and Wright make clear, this isn't just about better ticketing – it's about building a more inclusive world, one event at a time.

Emma (HOO) and Laura (CEO) promoting VS Patient Support

About Visibility Scotland

Visibility Scotland operates as both a charity and a social enterprise, addressing vision impairment support from multiple angles. Its purpose is to equip people impacted by vision impairment with knowledge and skills to increase confidence and achieve personal goals.

Its social enterprise arm, Visibility Trading and Training, complements this work and exists to provide expertise to improve outcomes for vision-impaired people. It offers training that empowers organisations to effectively support vision-impaired people in a variety of environments, including workplaces, education settings, and public spaces.