Accessibility

Making your event accessible for all

More accessible means more people joining the Fringe Fun!

Host your event at a wheelchair accessible venue
Consider the width of door openings, ramps, seating arrangements, etc., 

Have your event NZSL interpreted 
Where an event is interpreted in New Zealand Sign Language for our deaf and hard of hearing community. If you are interested in having one of our amazing NZSL interpreters at your event please contact Hana Maguire

Offer a companion ticket price 
You can choose to have companion tickets available at a discounted rate when accompanying a full price paying patron requiring companion support. This is a fantastic way to open up your audience to many patrons who may not otherwise be able to experience your event on their own.

Offer a relaxed performance 
This is an option for a sensory reduced performance, suitable for those with learning and or sensory communication difficulties. People with conditions like these can find standard theatre performances overwhelming or unpleasant. Common triggers are darkness, loud music, sudden noises and a generally unfamiliar environment in which you’re expected to sit still and quiet for a long time.

The following suggestions can help make performances more accessible, in particular for people with disorders, disabilities, or differences.  You do not have to undertake all of them.  However, the more you do, the more relaxed the performance!

Possible adaptations:

  • Adjust the lighting to be less dramatic
  • ​Anticipate more families and more children in the audience
  • Avoid spotlights on the audience
  • Be cautious with stage smoke or fog
  • Consider that patrons may move around more than usual during the screening
  • Expect that the audience may make more noise during the performance
  • Guarantee spots for wheelchair users, and people who use mobility devices and their companions
  • Leave the house lights on or turned up 
  • Let the audience know when to expect a sensory-rich component:  e.g. loud or sudden noises, very bright or changing lights
  • Permit patrons to bring their food or drink
  • Permit patrons to move in and out of the room during the performance
  • Reduce or eliminate scents
  • Tell patrons what to expect during a relaxed performance
  • Turn the volume level down