Couple has issues with Desert Trip accessibility

The first weekend of Desert Trip is in the books. While many rock and roll fans left the concert feeling happy and strolling down memory lane, one couple said their experience left a lot to be desired.

Jerry and Anna Alcorn wanted to see the Rolling Stones. Jerry lost use of his legs three years ago. He said he was excited to read about how accommodating the venue would be.

“From their website it showed that they had ADA pathways, raised platforms, special transportation from shuttles into the venue. For somebody who’s local I thought ‘Hey I can enjoy a local event’,” Alcorn said.

But, that’s not what they said happened.

“From the beginning when I got there I got dropped off about a quarter of a mile from the entrance in grass and in dirt. And the best they could tell me was to take the path that the horses use that was completely sand. I was wheeling myself in sand,” Alcorn said.

Alcorn and his wife said they don’t expect the world to lay down at their feet, but they say the Desert Trip website promised all of these services would be available. But, they said they weren’t. He said they wouldn’t have gone if the website hadn’t re-assured them. Other problems included people sitting in bumper to bumper traffic on the way to the concert.

“On 48th that’s when it looked like gridlock and there were cars stuck right in the middle of the intersection,” said Nicole Quail who lives in Palm Desert.

Knowing how far he would have to wheel himself just to get to the concert, the Alcorns didn’t return for the next two days.

“We are not less than other human beings, we are equal to. And we are not asking for much, we’re just asking for equal accommodations that by law have to be provided,” Alcorn said.

After we talked with the Alcorns, we talked to other people who say the event was ADA accessible and they saw plenty of people ready to assist people with disabilities. The Alcorns are the only people to reach out to us about the lack of accessibility.

We reached out to Goldenvoice for comment, but haven’t heard back. On the Desert Trip website there is an ADA section. At the top it reads: “Desert Trip is a fully accessible event, and we are dedicated to continually improving our efforts to ensure you have access to all the show amenities.”