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Access & Special Assistance

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Canberra Theatre Centre Access Services

The Canberra Theatre Centre has access and special assistance services to consider and manage the needs of people with disabilities.

2023 Access Services

  • Catch Jazida, Sunday 12 February 2023, 2pm – Auslan Interpreted
  • Macbeth, Saturday 22 April 2023, 1pm – Auslan Interpreter, Live Captioning, Tactile Tour (at 12pm) & Audio Description
  • Sara Pascoe – Success Story, Tuesday 2 May 2023, 8pm – Auslan Interpreted
  • Briefs – Dirty Laundry, Friday 12 May 2023, 8pm – Spoken segments of the performance will be Auslan Interpreted (please note song lyrics will not be Auslan Interpreted)
  • Bangarra Dance Theatre – Yuldea:
    – Friday 21 July, 7.30pm – Audio Described
    – Saturday 22 July, 1.30pm – Audio Described (With post-show Tactile Tour, inside the auditorium. A bag of Tactile elements will be given to matinee patrons alongside their listening pack and headphones. Click here to see the bag of Tactile elements.)
    – Saturday 22 July, 7.30pm – Audio Described
  • Miss Peony 牡丹小姐, Saturday 26 August, 2pm – Tactile Tour (at 1pm) & Audio Description
  • Twelfth Night, Saturday 21 October 2023, 1pm – Auslan Interpreter, Live Captioning, Tactile Tour (at 12pm) & Audio Description

Audio described performances

Audio description is an innovation for sight-impaired patrons. Audio Describers provide live description of essential visual information for people who are blind or visually impaired. Select performances will be described by trained volunteers from Vision Australia, this service is complimentary. Discreet receivers are available for collection prior to the performance and our staff will happily show you how to adjust them for your use.

To access this service check to see if the show advertises Audio Described Performance dates. Alternatively you can contact the Box Office or complete the online access enquiry form to make a booking.

Tactile tours

A guided tour of the set for blind and vision impaired patrons. This service is available to select shows. Please check to see if the show advertises Tactile Tour dates. Alternatively you can contact Canberra Ticketing if you would like to utilise this service.

Please note that Tactile Tours will take place in a modified, COVID Safe manner. The safety of our audience, staff, and performance companies is always our priority.

Live captioning

Select performances at the Canberra Theatre Centre are live captioned by The Captioning Studio for patrons who are deaf or hearing impaired. The on-stage dialogue is displayed in real-time on screens in the auditorium or if preferred on your own smartphone or tablet device, click here for more information. The Centre has a limited number of iPod Touches for loan through the cloak room. Seat selection for live captioning is recommended towards the front of the stage and our Box Office staff will be able to assist you with choosing a seat which ensures good viewing.

To access this service check to see if which shows advertises Live Captioning and contact Canberra Ticketing or complete the online access enquiry form to make a booking.

FM radio assisted hearing units

Canberra Theatre Centre provides an FM Radio Assisted Hearing Units for patrons who require hearing assistance. The FM system amplifies and improves sound quality through the headset provided or the user plugging their own neck loop into the unit. Discreet receivers are available for collection prior to the performance from the front of house staff. The FM Hearing Unit is available for all performances and to access this service you can request in advance or request at the show, however, you should allow additional time prior to the start of the performance for the collection of the receiver.

* The below access service are available for all performances.

Mobility assistance

If you require mobility assistance please contact our Canberra Ticketing so that we can accommodate your needs. Please let us know if you need to access seating at the end of a row or if you need to avoid stairs by completing the special seating request form or by contacting Canberra Ticketing by phone or in person. Unfortunately we are unable to provide special assistance when you book tickets online because the system automatically allocates the best available seats without taking your access needs into account.

There is lift access to the first balcony in The Playhouse, but no lift access to the second balcony.

Booking a Wheelchair Seat

The Playhouse and Canberra Theatre need to have seats removed to satisfactorily accommodate wheelchair bookings. In order to maximise access for patrons with disabilities and their accompanying guests we request patrons who book in this area collect their tickets on the day of the performance. At the time of purchase a confirmation letter will be mailed (please advise the ticketing agent if you prefer this to be emailed) to patrons with details of their booking. When attending the performance patrons can collect their tickets from the Box Office. Staff will give priority to people with disabilities who come to the box office for ticket collection.

Companion card

Canberra Theatre Centre subscribes to the ACT Government’s Companion Card scheme for people who require a companion. This means anyone issued with an official Companion Card is able to purchase a ticket to attend the theatre with their companion also attending for free – essentially two tickets for the price of one. You must mention that you are purchasing under this scheme when booking. Companion Card bookings can only be made in person at Canberra Ticketing or via phone. This service is not available over the internet.

Special seating requests

Please let us know if you need special assistance with your seating including audio description, mobility or hearing assistance. Unfortunately we are unable to provide special assistance at present when you book tickets online because the system automatically allocates the best available seats without taking your access needs into account. Please complete the special seating request form online so that we can get in touch with you, or contact Canberra Ticketing by phone or in person.

Accessing this website

For visually impaired patrons the type on this website can be enlarged for easier viewing. This can be easily achieved by using the enlarge text function at the bottom right hand corner of the webpage. This site has been built to be compatible for all screen readers for accessibility. All Access services are delivered with the assistance of Better Hearing Australia, The ACT Deafness Resource Centre and The Captioning Studio.

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