Catering for disabled audiences on Broadway

15 March 2010
Audio descriptions for blind or vision-impaired Broadway theatre-goers are not dull commentary, as some might imagine. In fact, they can make insightful listening for all theatre-goers because “our eyes are lazy”, says Lisa Carling, director of accessibility programmes for the Theatre Development Fund (TDF).

Carling was interviewed in a New York Times article, Making Broadway Accessible for the Disabled (2 March 2010). She co-ordinates TAP, the fund’s Theatre Accessibility Programme (TAP), which provides disabled people with better access to the theatre. In addition, TDF runs the city’s discount ticket booths, with tickets usually 50 per cent off for disabled patrons.

Carling’s vision is to build audiences, and to include those who are left out. TAP services include making ticket purchasing easy and affordable; ensuring physical access; and providing services such as open captioning, sign language interpretation and audio description.

Open captioning is text read along a screen set up to one side of the stage. These screens and sign language interpreters are made available whether there are Deaf people in the audience or not. Carling says that not everyone is open to talking about hearing loss and so it’s a tactful solution to include the hearing-impaired.

Broadway shows are very accommodating, Carling says.  She has never heard of a show ignoring someone’s request. Individual needs are sorted out on a case-by-case basis, solved effectively and quickly.

Most people who are seated near the screens are audience members who need the service, and house managers will re-seat an audience member who has been seated there, does not need the service, and wants to be moved.
Visit the New York Times website to view the article.