Graeae is committed to inclusive working practice for the artists and staff with whom we work, and an accessible theatrical experience for our audiences.

We achieve this through collaboration and consultation with disabled artists and staff.  For each project and working situation, we provide bespoke access solutions e.g. confirming wheelchair-accessible venues for productions and workshops, coordinating the provision of access support workers and British Sign Language interpreters, or arranging adaptive technology to facilitate the creative process.

Graeae is committed to pioneering and evolving the ‘aesthetics of access’, continually exploring new ways to weave in layers of accessibility and communication (such as BSL interpretation and audio description). The ‘aesthetics of access’ is now a recognised signature characteristic across Graeae productions.

Access is a basic right and requirement, a continually evolving methodology that enhances the theatrical and professional landscape; accessibility enables theatre practitioners and audiences to create, engage with and enjoy our work.

Graeae provides a practical guide including information on:

*    Access support in the work environment

*    Code of conduct when working with deaf or disabled people for the first time

*    Common terminology (with advice on usage!)

*    A list of formatted materials for our employees and audience members

For more information email access@graeae.org

Graeae is pleased to present Sight Lines, a 23-minute video that examines and demystifies access for blind and visually impaired actors.

Written and directed by Tim Gebbels, we follow blind and visually impaired actors through a day of rehearsal, highlighting options for access requirements – such as making the stage / working space accessible and providing access to written scripts.

Funded by the Arts Council England through Graeae’s VIP project, Sight Lines is not a definitive guide – but it provides basic information for inclusive practices.

The video is audio described and subtitled.

Click on the link above to watch.

Graeae consults to a wide variety of organizations and individuals on access provision and access-related issues.  We advise on access in relation to drama workshops and theatrical production, as well as employment-related issues such as Access to Work in the creative industries.

To find BSL interpreters in your area go to the Association of Sign Language Interpreters – www.asli.org.uk

Information about Access to work can be found at Direct.gov.uk. The full details are here

Information on creating materials (print, electronic) accessible to visually impaired and blind people, from the RNIB website – http://www.rnib.org.uk/professionals/accessibleinformation/Pages/accessible_information.aspx

Website accessibility checking tool – http://wave.webaim.org/