BECOME ACCESSIBLE

The following is an overview of what is required to effect a successful, communicationally- accessible performance. Creative Access educates, advocates and assists in achieving this goal.

Note: Performances presented in American Sign Lanugage (ASL) will include voice interpretation for hearing audiences. Please do the following to allow us to prepare flyers and publicity as early as possible, and give the sign language interpreters the biggest possible headstart on dividing and preparing roles before your rehearsals are in full swing:

1. Send 4 scripts, rehearsal schedule (and audio tapes when available) to Creative Access ASAP. In order to secure the best creative interpreters, they often want to read the scripts before making their decision.

2. Select one evening and one matinee performance date (preference is for interpreted plays to be offered twice).

3. Pre-select at least 40 seats in the interpreter section for each performance for Deaf/Hard of Hearing patrons and friends/families. Interpreter section will be determined by designated theater company staff and CA representative, as will lighting.

4. That at a time of mutual consent, lights will be set, providing two spots so that the interpreters are clearly visible from the waist up. These lights will have been focused one hour before curtain without union call before each interpreted performance.

5. Keep the first row, (second if necessary), directly in front of the interpreters empty, for optimal sightlines.

6. Sell tickets at discounted/group prices when possible to Creative Access members (agreement regarding ticket price between theater and CA).

7. All ticket sales and seating in the interpreter section will be handled through Creative Access.

8. All unsold tickets will be released by CA one week prior to performance dates.

9. Provide agreed-upon number of complementary tickets to CA when possible.

10. Placement of interpreters will be negotiated between play director and CA sign language director at least one week before first interpreted performance.

11. That interpreters for Broadway shows and interpreter director may come to either a run-through rehearsal the week before the interpreted show dates, or come to a regular performance whereby they stand at rear of theater to rehearse.

12. Notify cast and house staff about the interpreted performances, and introducing interpreters to cast (via company manager and stage manager when interpreters come for rehearsal).

13. If possible, assigning backstage room for interpreters’ use before the performances and at intermission for both shows.

14. Assisting in inserting flyers about CA in the Playbills for the two interpreted performances. CA will provide inserts when appropriate.

15. CA will pay the box office for all tickets it generates on the Monday following the last interpreted performance.

A Creative Access volunteer, or the Director will be happy to meet with you personally to discuss or clarify any of the above.

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Creative Access partner!

SPECIAL PUBLICITY FOR SIGNED PERFORMANCES
Cooperation between CA and theater’s publicity department to provide maximum publicity in both Deaf and hearing media. This will include:

• Sending art work and boilerplates about the play to Creative Access at least two months before the show’s opening.
• Generating Press Releases (preferably sent with photograph of main characters making their name signs with the interpreters, when possible), and PSAs to be ready at least 6 weeks before the performances for the Deaf press (ie: Providing art work/logos and information to generate our own flyer for marketing to members, special media and Deaf and Hard of Hearing community at large.
• PSAs should be sent to all local radio and television networks, noting that this welcome to a new audience is new, and a big deal in Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley. Mayors, Culture Office Executive Directors, funders and the like all get special VIP invitations. From experience, the following has been found to be helpful and appropriate when publicizing these special performances.
• The fact of, and the dates of the signed performances be publicized in ALL publicity that goes out to your own subscribers, press/media wherever and whenever publicized, no matter how large or small the ad. This means brochures, subscription packets, newspapers with graphic ads etc. Every one should state:-----such and such performances will be interpreted in American Sign Language. There are several reasons for this:

1. Everyone has the right, and needs to know that you are offering interpreted performances at specific shows. That way, Deaf and Hard of Hearing people other than Creative Access members will be availed of the fact, and have the opportunity to come.
2. All hearing people will know about it, giving them the choice to either come or not to that particular performance. In other words, some may be annoyed if they didn't know because they would have come to one of those performances if they did, and others might complain because they would not have chosen either those performances if they knew at the time that the interpreters would be there that day. So either way, it behooves you/us to publicize it everywhere just as a normal part of your publicity. In a way, it’s a kind of a disclaimer; while some will come as a result of the publicity which otherwise probably would not have happened, at the same time, none can say, you didn't tell me.
3. Theater lobbies must have a large enough sign, appropriately placed, telling ticket buyers of the signed performances as well, so that while they are deciding which seats and dates to purchase their tickets for, that information will be perfectly visible right there in the lobby (for the same reasons stated above).

Note: We must mail/fax press releases and flyers before the lst of the month prior to the signed performances if we expect to get publicity in the Deaf press. Also, we publicize accessible events two months prior for our members.Thank you again!

Common Terms Regarding Accessibility Services Used In the Arts
(edited from the National Arts and Disability Center)

Accessibility: When we modify information, architecture, devices or methods to allow easier access by people with disabilities, we are making those items accessible. Examples include: providing sign language interpreters for a poetry reading; building an accessible ramp for a theatre stage, audio-describing a film; and/or providing technical aids for access to a computer.

Alternative Formats: The provision of information regularly provided by a theater company or the like in an audible format, in an alternative formats such as sign language interpretation and captioning.
American Sign Language: American Sign Language (ASL) is the major language used by the American Deaf population. Its medium is visible through hand movements and facial expressions rather than aural. ASL has its own vocabulary, idioms, grammar, and syntax different from English.

Assistive Listening Systems (ALS): Assistive listening systems enhance the sound for people who are hard of hearing to assist them with amplification and clarity. ALS’s enable an individual who benefits from amplification to focus directly on the sound source without having to contend with background noise that can make it difficult to concentrate on conversation. Options to consider include FM systems, infrared or induction loop technologies. The speaker talks into a microphone or transmitter and the listener either uses the T-switch on their hearing aid, or wears a receiver designed to work with the assistive listening device.

Auxiliary Aids and Services: According to ADA regulations, Auxiliary aids and services include a wide range of services and devices that promote effective communication. These services and devices include:
* qualified interpreters or other effective methods of making aurally delivered materials available to individuals with hearing impairments
* TDD’s

Captioned: A video or film program with subtitles reflecting the content of the spoken or descriptive material.

Closed Captioning: Captions are text superimposed over video for the benefit of deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers. Closed captions are hidden (encoded) as a data within the video signal and must be decoded to be visible. Captions are designed to convey on- and off-screen effects, speaker identifications and other information helpful to deaf and hard of hearing people.

Open Captioning: Open Captioning places the text on screen in a black reader box at all times.

Real-time Captioning: Roll-up captions that are created and transmitted at time of broadcast origination.
Theatrical Open Captioning of live theatre performances enables many people to experience the joy of theatre for the first time.

Commercial facilities: According to Title lll regulations of the ADA, a commercial facility is a privately owned non residential facility involved in commercial activity, such as a factory, warehouse, corporate office building or other facility in which employment may occur.

Inclusion: To be given the opportunity to participate in all activities available in a community; for example having the choice to attend an arts performance in your own community. Inclusion isn’t a new program, trend or something one "does" for someone else. It is not a bandwagon. People are either included or excluded. Discussion of inclusion typically addresses issues related to diversity, community building and consequence of exclusion.

Interpreters: People who are deaf or hard of hearing often request interpreters or transliterators in order to participate in docent tours, lectures, presentations, or events. Interpreters translate from spoken language to American Sign Language (ASL) and visa versa. (See American Sign Language and Theatrical Sign Language Interpretation)

Program Accessibility: Under the ADA, Title II standard requires facilities to be readily accessible to and usable by people with disabilities. To become accessible a facility may need to alter an existing facility, acquire or construct additional facilities, or relocate a service or program to an accessible facility.

Public accommodation: According to Title lll ADA regulations, a place of public accommodation is a private establishment (for profit or nonprofit) that fits one of twelve categories specified by the Department of Justice in ADA regulations. It includes hotels, restaurants, theaters, museums, retail stores, private schools, banks, doctor’s office, and health clubs.

Qualified Interpreter: According to ADA Titles II and III, a qualified interpreter is an interpreter who is able to sign to the individual who is deaf what is being said by the hearing person and who can voice the hearing person what is being signed by the individual who is deaf. This communication must be conveyed effectively, accurately, and impartially through the use of any necessary specialized vocabulary.

Reasonable Accommodation: Reasonable accommodation means making any change or adjustment to a job or work environment that permits a qualified applicant or employee with a disability to apply for a job or to enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment equal to other employees without disabilities. This may include providing readers, sign language interpreters, or modifying the physical environment to make it accessible.

Sign Interpreted Performances: Sign Interpreted Performances are theatre performances or readings that are interpreted. (See Theatrical Interpretation)

Theatrical Sign Language Interpretation: Theatrical sign language interpretation translates from spoken language to American Sign Language (ASL) utilizing specific techniques for signing plays, and musicals.

Placed Style: The placed style of interpreting in the theatre is by far the most common. It is characterized by the static placement of the interpreter(s) in one location for the duration of the performance.

Shadow Interpreting: Shadow interpreting is when the interpreters actually follow the actors on stage, as their shadow. The shadowed style of interpreting is the most inclusive style of interpreting for the theatre. It involves placing the interpreters directly within the action – nearly making them "sign language actors." In this style, the interpreters are "blocked" into each scene, and literally shadow the actor.

TTY: A TTY traditionally provides a text method of communication over the telephone for individuals who may be deaf or who have speech impairments.