Access at the Festival

Relaxed performances have a relaxed attitude to noise and movement, including reducing extreme sound and lighting effects, leaving house lights on at a low level, and allowing patrons to come and go.  

Some shows will offer ASL and/or Deaf interpretation at the performances listed below.  

Access Guides are a written resource, using plain language to provide audiences, particularly neurodiverse audiences, with specific sensory details of programming in advance. In an Access Guide, you will learn about performance dates, times, accessible features, content information, lighting and sound advisories, and more. Certain shows will have Access Guides available online prior to their performance dates and will be listed below. The guides will be available on the show pages and may be updated closer to the festival.

Pre-show audio notes allow audience members to access the performance by giving detailed descriptions of elements such as the set, costumes, and props. These notes are pre-recorded and are available in advance of the performance. Please refer to the show pages to access their pre-show audio notes if offered.

Some performances offering Audio Description may require an earphone and receiver that can be obtained from the venue box office. Please advise the box office when you purchase your tickets to reserve an earphone. Please identify yourself at least 25 minutes prior to performance start times to make use of these services.

Some shows in the festival may offer mask-mandated performances. We encourage you to bring your own mask from home! And, if needed, masks will be available at the venue for patrons to use. 

Some companies may integrate an ImmersX Tactile Body Immersion device into their performance. There is only one seat available per performance, please advise the box office when you purchase your tickets to reserve it. Please identify yourself when you arrive. 

Touchbooks offer a tactile experience of various elements of the set, props, and costumes through touch. Some shows may choose to make touchbooks available to patrons prior to the performance. These can be accessed by checking in at the Front of House area at the show venue. All touchbooks must be returned to FOH prior to entering the house. There will be limited copies available, so plan to arrive early if you’d like to access a show’s Touchbook.

Venue guides will help prepare you for your visit to one of our venues. They include written directions to the venue, photos of the venue, and a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the building. 

Guides are available for all main and satellite venues for our festivals, and are found in the "Additional Access Information" section on each venue webpage.

Online:

If you are a new ticket buyer at Fringe, you will be prompted to create a Fringe patron account. When filling out your details, please select from the list of Access Categories. If you have booked tickets with the Fringe before, simply log into your account and edit "My Account" where you can select from the list of Access Categories. Before finalizing your ticket purchase, you can provide notes on any additional access requirements for the performance(s) you are interested in attending.

Over the phone:

The Patron Services Representative will be able to help you update the Access Categories associated with your patron account and will also ask if you havve any additional access requirements for the performance(s) you are interested in attending.

All points of service at the Fringe are equipped with fidget toys, earplugs, magnifying tools, and pen and paper. The Festival Box Office has additional sensory kit items (fidget toys, ear defenders, sunglasses, lap pad) available to borrow.

Staff and volunteers receive training on serving patrons with disabilities; however, we are always striving to do better. We encourage you to send us feedback, positive or negative, by contacting our Patron Services team at general@fringetoronto.com. 

Where a support person is required to accompany patrons with disabilities, admission to all Fringe performances and events is free for the accompanying person. Every attending patron and accompanying support person must have a valid ticket to that performance or event. Please advise the box office when you purchase your tickets.

Service animals are welcome in all areas of our venues that are open to the public. Please advise the box office when you purchase your tickets.

Patrons with access needs are requested to identify themselves at the venue box office at least 25 minutes prior to performance start times. Priority seating cannot be guaranteed after general admission begins.  

Access seating for mobility devices is available for mobility device users. It may be reserved when purchasing tickets or by presenting to Patron Services at the Venue Box Office at least 25 minutes before the performance start time. Mobility device users may transfer to standard seating (assistance is not available). 

Patrons may request to check wheelchairs, strollers or other items required for accessibility with Patron Services Staff. They must identify themselves for Priority Seating.

All published PDFs will adhere to best practices for accessibility. We endeavour to make them screen-reader compatible.

Listening devices are available at the following Toronto Fringe Festival venues:

#1 Tarragon Mainspace
#2 Tarragon Extraspace
#6 Theatre Passe Muraille Mainspace
#7 Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace
#9 Native Earth's Aki Studio

Quantities are limited but can be reserved in advance when purchasing your ticket online or by phone.