Production Company Reaches Settlement After Disabled Girl Blocked From Foreigner Concert Stage
A settlement has been finalised between the family of a 12-year-old South Dakota girl and a production company after she was barred from singing on stage with the iconic rock band Foreigner because she uses a wheelchair. The incident, which occurred in August 2024, has led to a significant legal resolution under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Concert Incident and Legal Action
Halle Bauman, a member of the Sioux Falls Children's Choir, was invited to perform alongside Foreigner during their concert at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center. However, she was denied access before even arriving at the venue because necessary accommodations for her wheelchair were not implemented. Although the show was hosted at the PREMIER Center, the band's tour managers and production team, Counter Productions Inc., were responsible for stage setup and equipment.
Nearly two years later, the United States Department of Justice has reached a settlement agreement with Counter Productions Inc. over allegations that the company violated the ADA. United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced on Friday that the band itself was not aware of the situation and is not held responsible.
Settlement Terms and Company Response
Under the settlement, Counter Productions Inc. has agreed to pay the Bauman family $23,500. Additionally, the company has been directed to adopt new ADA compliance measures and implement comprehensive employee training programmes to prevent similar incidents in the future. The release from the Department of Justice noted that the PREMIER Center had offered alternatives to the production company to enhance stage accessibility for Halle, but these were not acted upon.
Background and Family Account
The classic rock band, famous for hits like 'I Want to Know What Love Is,' had invited the children's choir to join them on stage. Despite ample advance warning about Halle's disability from choir director Schuiteman, the production team claimed they were unprepared. Excuses included a lack of time to organise a ramp and concerns about reorganising the stage setup.
Halle's mother, Christa Bauman, recounted that while driving to the show, they received a call from Katie Kirkland of the PREMIER Center, informing them that Halle's wheelchair was deemed a hazard on stage due to pyrotechnics. The phone was on speaker, so Halle heard the disappointing news directly. 'Halle was rightfully hurt and confused and devastated,' Christa recalled. She expressed frustration, stating that while she understood legalities in large productions, creativity could have found a solution, accusing the team of laziness.
Band Apology and Aftermath
Shortly after the incident, Foreigner's bassist, Jeff Pilson, took to Facebook to issue the band's 'sincerest apologies.' He emphasised their disappointment in the team's mistake and acknowledged the impact on the young fan. 'We believe music should be inclusive for all and are taking steps to ensure our shows are accessible to everyone,' Pilson stated, committing to future improvements.
This case highlights ongoing challenges in accessibility within live entertainment, underscoring the importance of ADA compliance and proactive measures to include all participants, regardless of physical abilities.
