Access Measures

Relaxed Performances

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.  

Black in Canada - Monday, October 23 at 5:00pm
ECHO - Thursday, October 26 at 5:00pm
Dead Parents Society - Saturday, October 28 at 4:00pm

American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreted Performances

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

Black in Canada - Saturday, October 21 4:45pm

Access Guides

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.

Black in Canada
Dead Parents Society
ECHO
Guildwood
Something in the Water

Audio Described Performances

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.

Tactile Body Immersion Chair

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. 

Pre-Show Audio

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.

Touchbooks

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.

Personal Support Workers

Where a support worker 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

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.

Priority Seating

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

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). 

Device Storage

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

VENUE ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION

Detailed accessibility information is available on our website for most main venues and POSTSCRIPT locations. Information includes door widths, ramp specifications, and accessible washroom details.  

Active Listeners

What is Community Support/Active listening?
Community Support is active listening for Next Stage artists, staff and audience members. You can book a time or drop in and chat about whatever is going on in your life and art practice. Community support active listening aims to create a space where it is safe to share and decompress with a peer who has lived experience and hopefully feel less alone with the hard stuff. Everything you share is kept confidential.

Active listening is a form of community care because of the shared understanding of lived experience. What active listening is not is therapy. These sessions are not long-term or approached in a therapeutic nature. If you need recommendations for long-term therapeutic support, crisis line resources can be found here.

When is it available?
Every day of the festival, an active listener is available online or in person at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre.

How does online/virtual active listening work?
If you would like to chat with someone from the comfort of your own space, active listeners are available for phone calls, emails and video chats. Email/text/call Jules (community@fringetoronto.com) OR the person scheduled for a virtual shift (posted daily on our social media), and they will get back to you about how to connect.

How does in-person work?
If you would like to talk to the active listener available, they will be floating around with a lanyard on that says Active Listener. If you can't find them, check in with a staff member; they can point out the person available or how to contact someone.

What if I need to talk to someone but don't want to use this service?

It's important to know what you need! If you are in a crisis, you can refer to our resource spreadsheet here. 

If both those options don’t sound good to you, is there a friend, partner, colleague or family member you feel safe with and can trust? Now might be the time to reach out to them!