On Wednesday (2/18), the NYC venue community gathered at the iconic Brooklyn Bowl for the inaugural session of the groovement's inclusivity training series. In partnership with the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) and the Office of Nightlife, we explored how to move beyond simple compliance to create spaces where every fan, artist, and staff member truly belongs.

After some welcome remarks from Jeffrey Garcia, Executive Director of the NYC Office of Nightlife, we were honored to learn from an incredible lineup of experts from MOPD who provided actionable insights for our industry: Eli Ramos, Tony Wooden, Arthur Jacobs, and James Irvin led deep dives into disability etiquette while Johnny Colon provided ASL interpretation.

Key Takeaways for Venues

The session bridged the gap between big picture philosophy and daily operations. Here are a few highlights:

• Reframing Disability: We moved from a "medical model" (focusing on what a person cannot do) to a social model, which views disability as a construct that can be dismantled by removing societal barriers.
• Language as a Tool: We discussed the distinction of People-First (e.g., "person with a disability") versus Identity-First language, learning that when in doubt, it’s always best to simply ask.
• Ask, Don’t Assume: A major takeaway for front-of-house teams was to never assume someone needs assistance. The best approach is to identify yourself, ask if they need help, and—if the answer is yes—ask specifically how you can assist before taking action.
• Physical and Digital Access: The team provided a "roadmap" for inclusivity, from ensuring 32-inch clear door widths and 36-inch wide accessible routes to maintaining high-contrast digital content for screen readers.
• The Power of Small Wins: We discussed "readily achievable" barrier removal—impactful changes that don't require massive difficulty or expense but significantly improve the experience for mobility device users.

In NYC alone, nearly one million people live with a disability (a number which is likely understated). This represents a massive community of music lovers that many of our venues are only beginning to reach. Live music is at its best when everyone feels they belong, and seeing this community embrace these conversations shows just how much we can accomplish together. A special thank you to the Brooklyn Bowl team for their hospitality and to all the venues who showed up to lean into this work with us.

This is just the beginning of our series, and we can’t wait to see how these conversations spark real change on our dance floors.

Bad Flower | 02.13.2026 | Irving Plaza

The music industry finally has a dedicated lifeline. Backline, the premier mental health resource for the music community since 2019, has officially launched B-LINE—the first-ever 24/7 mental health and crisis support line built specifically for the industry. Created in partnership with Vibrant Emotional Health (the operators behind 988) and supported by Spotify, B-LINE provides immediate, confidential access to counselors who understand the specific pressures of the music world. From the grueling nature of tour schedules to the financial instability of creative work, B-LINE is designed to meet music professionals exactly where they are, any time of day or night.

This initiative is a massive step forward for the industry and hits close to home for us. Backline was founded by Hilary Gleason, Kendall Deflin Corso, Tory Pittarelli, and Stephen Grybowski—a longtime groover (check out his groover spotlight here). While B-LINE is equipped for crisis moments, it’s also a vital resource for navigating burnout, anxiety, and substance use before they reach a breaking point. It is a confidential, free service available to everyone from artists and crew members to agents and family members. Most importantly, it’s a "human-first" approach—the counselors focus on supportive conversation and de-escalation, providing a safe bridge to long-term care.

Getting help is straightforward and available in both English and Spanish. Whether you’re on a tour bus at 3 AM or dealing with mid-day burnout in the studio, support is ready.

• Call: 855-BLINE99
• Text: 254-639

No crisis is too small, and no hour is too late. For more details on the service and additional resources, visit backline.care/b-line.

Been Stellar | 01.24.26 | Bowery Ballroom