Accessibility
Bard on the Beach strives to be a more welcoming space where patrons visiting our Festival site at Sen̓áḵw/Vanier Park have more equal access to our productions. We recognize the urgency in addressing the barriers our community faces to full access, respect and representation and are committed to reviewing our programming, physical infrastructure, site, training, and event planning.
We recognize that increasing accessibility is an ongoing process. As we continue to make changes and expand services, we welcome your requests, suggestions, and feedback. Please email us at [email protected].
Physical Access Needs
We’ve taken the following steps to help address physical access barriers to our materials, site, and theatres:
VocalEye
We’ve partnered with VocalEye, a Vancouver non-profit that provides live-audio description of the visual elements of a performance. The description is delivered through handheld receivers and headsets to patrons who are blind or have low vision. Contact the Box Office by phone at 604-739-0559 to receive special VocalEye pricing.
Much Ado About Nothing
Saturday, August 23 at 2pm
Saturday, August 30 at 7:30pm
The Two Gentlemen of Verona
Sunday, August 10 at 2pm
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again]
Sunday, September 7 at 2pm
Audio Recordings of the Bard on the Beach House Program
Closer to the start of the Season we will have the “Production Pages” available to listen to on YouTube.
The contents of each video are: The Land Acknowledgment, Welcome Message, About To Learn, Cast List, the Story (Synopsis), and Director’s Notes. Each video includes timestamps for navigation.
Access for Wheelchair and Mobility Aid Users
Both of our tents are accessible by patrons using wheelchairs and mobility aids. If you or anyone in your group have limited mobility, please contact the Box Office at 604-739-0559 to talk to one of our team members about your access needs and to book your seats. Handrails have been installed in our theatre tents, more accessible seating options added to our Village and we have established a Box Office window accessible for patrons who use a wheelchair or a mobility aid.
Hearing Assistive Listening Systems
We offer an enhanced audio experience for all of our performances, thanks to our exclusive partnership with Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility and Bettear. With the Bettear app, you can enjoy the performances without missing a word when you connect to Bluetooth-compatible hearing aids or your own personal headphones/earphones.
Download the free app to your phone and you’re ready to immerse yourself in the Bard performance of your choosing!
Download the app at the Apple Store Download the app on Google Play
Service Dogs
Both of our tents welcome certified service dogs. Please contact the Box Office at 604-739-0559 to talk to one of our team members to book your seat for yourself and the service dog.
Navigating our Site at Sen̓áḵw/Vanier Park
We’ve widened our site pathways to accommodate patrons using wheelchairs and mobility aids. As well, we’ve installed handrails in our theatre tents, added more accessible seating options to our Village and established a wheelchair accessible Box Office window.
- Note that there is a hill bump as you arrive at our site.
Parking
Vancouver Archives Parking Lot, the closest lot to our entrance, is reserved for accessible parking only. Visit Your Festival Experience for more information.
Washrooms
We have four (4) accessible portable washrooms and an accessible hand wash station.
Easy Exit Seats
If you can climb stairs but anticipate that you may need to stand periodically or leave the theatre, you can book an Easy Exit Seat in the Mainstage Theatre Tent. These seats are near the back of the house with a great view of the stage and easy access to an exit. They are marked with an “S” on each performance’s seating plan. These seats can be booked online or over the phone with our Box Office at 604-739-0559.
Our Theatre Seats
Chairs in our accessible seating areas are single chairs without armrests and with seats that do not fold up. Chairs in the rest of the theatre have arm rests and seats that fold up automatically. All the chairs are lightly padded with foam.
Dimensions for both single and interlocking chairs (without armrests):
- Width: 49.5 cm / 19.5 inches
- Top of back to floor: 78.5 cm / 31 inches
- Seat to floor: 45.5 cm / 18 inches
- Our seats can hold up to 272 kg / 600 lbs.
Environmental Preferences
Relaxed Performance
A Relaxed Performance offers a more casual environment and approach to live theatre for patrons who may need to move, make noise or exit/enter the theatre during a performance. House capacity is also reduced. A Relaxed Performance may offer a good introductory experience if you’re attending Bard for the first time. Our Relaxed Performance offers Pay-As-You-Will ticket options for reserved seating*.
*Pay-As-You-Will ticket options available for this performance only.
Low-Sensory Zone
If you need to step out, we have a calm, noise-free space with noise-cancelling headphones available. Please exit out to the Village if you’re feeling distressed or in need of a break and the Front of House Manager will assist you.
Visual Stories
A visual story gives audience members an idea of what the theatre experience will be like. These visual stories will tell you what to expect coming to visit Bard on the Beach and what to expect to see during your visit to Bard. These PDFs are screen reader friendly!
Bard on the Beach Site Visual Story
Family Days
Family Days are the perfect opportunity to bring children of any age to the theatre as we do not admit children under the age of 6 to any other performances. Note: these are regular performances, not adaptations for children. The Village will open at 12:30pm, and we offer an array of family-friendly activities. We embrace a more less-formal approach to the performance on Family Days: audience members who need to move, make noise or exit/enter the theatre are welcome to do so. Contact the Box Office by phone at 604-739-0559 or by email at [email protected] to receive special Family Day pricing for children five (5) years old and younger.
Bard Fireworks Nights
For our Bard Fireworks Nights, we offer an accessible seating area on the dining lawn with reserved tables and front of line access for all patrons who require assistance or consideration. To reserve your accessible table, please inform our Box Office by phone at 604-739-0559 or by email at [email protected].
Financial Barriers
Community Access Program
We partner with community organizations in order to provide complimentary tickets to groups whose members face barriers to attending our Festival. To learn more about the program and to submit a request, please visit our Community Access Tickets page.
Bard Access Fund
Established by Bard Volunteers in 2009, the Bard Access Fund is dedicated to covering the costs of our education programming for those who need support. You can donate to the Bursary or apply for support here. Bursaries are available for individuals and families, and subsidies are available for schools and community organizations.
Additional Educational Initiatives
We welcome participants of all ages, cultural backgrounds, genders, abilities and personalities to be creative, collaborative and courageous as they express themselves through Shakespeare. When registering for programs, you will have the chance to let the Bard Education team know how we can support your access needs. If you have questions, please email our Education team at [email protected]. We will be happy to assist!
Community Access Rentals
Subject to availability, we provide free rentals of our rehearsal halls to many small local non-profit societies, artists, and other organizations facing financial barriers. Our current company in residence is Realwheels Theatre, a professional theatre company based in Vancouver with a mission to create and produce performances that deepen understandings of the disability experience. If interested, please contact us at [email protected] or 604-737-0625.
Visual Stories
Access is about options. Learn more about Bard, our site and Village in Sen̓áḵw/Vanier Park and our recommended options to come to the Festival with our Visual Stories.
Working or Volunteering
Bard is committed to providing a safer, more accessible, inclusive and diverse environment. We respect, value and celebrate the diverse experiences of each person and actively encourage everyone to consider joining our team. You can find employment and volunteer opportunities below.
If you have access needs in the application process, please email [email protected] and let us know how we can accommodate them.