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Going to the Theatre
An entirely new current of activity
in the 1990s has resulted in making the arts more accessible to
theater lovers everywhere, making the best uses of the ADA. Removing
physical and communication barriers literally expands the arts and
makes enjoying them safer for everybody.
Now you can count on at least basic access to
entrances, exits, parking, restrooms, drinking fountains—even
seating with an unobstructed line of vision. Public accommodations
(Title III of the ADA) cannot deny services to people with disabilities,
participation in programs or activities which are available to people
without disabilities. Click
here for more ADA information.
Of course, some places comply with more finesse
than others — and those will be the ones we'll continue to
patronize!
Playhouses and concert halls with
50 or more seats must provide assistive listening devices (ALDs)
to patrons. Many people will find an assistive listening device
really helps them enjoy the program, especially a device that works
well with a hearing aid. The types and quality of hearing devices
offered will greatly vary, so always call ahead. Also, arrive a
bit early to make sure the device you'll be using is functioning
adequately. If it isn't, request personnel to provide one that is.
The Illinois Theatre Access Coalition
The Illinois Theatre Access Coalition (ITAC)
was formed in 1994 to create equal access in theaters for all people
with disabilities. ITAC offers equipment, expertise and other resources
to help theaters and patrons who have disabilities. The coalition
meets monthly to share information, resources and strategies for
removing barriers to theater, and markets its efforts throughout
the disability community.
ITAC members include Blue Rider Theater, Center
Theater Ensemble, ETA Foundation, Goodman Theater, Impulse Theater,
Lookingglass Theater, Northlight Theater, Pegasus Players, Second
City, Shubert Theater, Steppenwolf Theater, Tell'n Tales Theater,
and Victory Gardens Theater. Advisory members include representatives
from Access Living, Chicago Hearing Society, Department of Rehabilitation
services, Horizons for the Blind, Illinois Arts Council, Sign on
Stage, as well as various individuals concerned with promoting accessibility
in theaters.
Call Eunice Joffe, coalition chair and 504 ADA
arts consultant, at (847) 433-3085 if you are interested in attending
the next monthly meeting or would like more information. All are
welcome.
The theaters that make up ITAC are
all located within the Chicago Metropolitan area. So what do the
rest of us do? Start our own access coalitions! ITAC has set a great
example: Speak with theater organizations and groups in your own
part of the world to facilitate equal access and enjoyment of the
arts. Possibly one already exists that you don't know about! Remember,
the creation of an access group is possible. It just requires someone
to make the time to initiate a forum for planning. Accessible theater
is a win-win situation for patrons with disabilities, as well as
theater owners who want to gain a larger clientele. Start with your
city or state art council to locate theater groups that would be
proactive enough to participate.
If in general, you're looking for a resourceful,
proactive organization dealing in deaf and hard-of-hearing issues,
consider a membership with Hearing Loss Association of America. Their Web site contains valuable information on current
news and events, assistive technology and links to all types of
disability-related Web sites. http://www.hearingloss.org/
Interpretive
Theatre
For compliance with the ADA, a theater owner
must provide an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter to anyone
requesting one, free of charge. Just make arrangements in advance
with theater management.
Many theater companies make it a point to schedule
at least one signed performance. If there's a production you're
interested in, call to find out if a signed performance is scheduled,
or else request one.
Sign on Stage has professional interpreted theater
productions all year. Company members are all professionally trained
ASL interpreters who interpret various Chicago area productions.
They consult with theater directors, memorize the scripts, and sign
while a play is performed. They also assist in the production planning
and help greet and seat theater patrons. If you would like more
information about Sign on Stage, call (708) 544-9526 (TTY); (708)
544-9525 (voice); (708) 544-9527 (fax).
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