A resident of Lentvaris, identified as Justina, reported being denied assistance while attending a Moby concert at Kalnų parkas in Vilnius, despite her mobility impairment. The concert organizer, L Tips Agency LT, apologized for the incident, while the Equal Opportunities Controller, Birutė Sabatauskaitė, noted that the situation contains signs of potential discrimination.
The Incident at Kalnų Parkas
Justina, who lives with a mobility impairment and uses a walking stick, sought information from the event organizer and ticket distributors prior to the concert regarding accessibility. She reported receiving no guidance on how to navigate the steep terrain of Kalnų parkas. Upon arrival, Justina stated that staff members dismissed her requests for help, telling her, “This is not a polyclinic.”
The situation escalated when Justina, accompanied by a friend who also has a mobility impairment, attempted to reach the concert area. According to Justina, staff members refused to provide transport or alternative access, with one employee reportedly stating, “This is entertainment—solve it however you want.” The two women ultimately navigated the hill on their own, a process Justina described as physically painful.
Post-Concert Injury and Organizer Response
The challenges persisted after the event concluded. While descending the steep path, Justina fell and sustained a shoulder injury. She required assistance from emergency medical responders to safely complete the descent. Justina later reported that she suffered a suspected ligament strain or tear during the fall.
Gintas Putninas, director of L Tips Agency LT, responded to the incident via a written statement provided to LRT RADIJO. He offered an apology to Justina but noted that the agency was unaware of her specific need for assistance before the event. Putninas maintained that all event personnel receive instructions on the necessity of assisting individuals with disabilities.
Did you know?
A 2024 study by the Agency for the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities found that four out of five cultural institutions assessed in the country were not fully accessible to people with disabilities.
Legal and Regulatory Perspectives
Birutė Sabatauskaitė, the Equal Opportunities Controller, stated that the incident displays potential signs of discrimination. She emphasized that individuals in such situations have the right to file a formal complaint with her office for an individual assessment. According to Sabatauskaitė, organizers have a legal duty not only to remove physical barriers but also to provide individual accommodations when necessary.
“People with disabilities have the right to use all services just like everyone else,” Sabatauskaitė said. “If individual assistance is needed, the service provider must take measures to ensure it.”
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are event organizers required to do for disabled attendees? Organizers are obligated to ensure accessibility and, if necessary, implement individual measures to assist people with disabilities in accessing services.
- What should someone do if they face discrimination at an event? According to the Equal Opportunities Controller, affected individuals can file a formal complaint with the Office of the Equal Opportunities Controller for an individual review of the case.
- Are there data on venue accessibility? Yes, data from the Agency for the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities suggests that a significant majority of cultural institutions currently lack full accessibility.
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