Skip to main content
Text on the left says "Accessibility". On the right there are three icons: the first icon is two hands demonstrating American Sign language, the second icon is the letters 'A' and 'D' in capitals with three waves next to the 'D', and the third icons is a letter 'R' in a circle with two waves below.

Stratford Festival’s Commitment to serving and supporting people with disabilities

The Stratford Festival is committed to ensuring equal access and participation for people with disabilities. We are committed to treating people with disabilities in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. We believe in integration and we are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner. We will do so by removing and preventing barriers to accessibility and meeting our accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) and Ontario’s accessibility laws. The Stratford Festival is committed to meeting its current and ongoing obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code respecting non-discrimination. The Stratford Festival understands that obligations under the AODA and its accessibility standards do not substitute or limit its obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code or obligations to people with disabilities under any other law. The Stratford Festival is committed to excellence in serving and providing goods, services or facilities to all patrons including people with disabilities. For more information, please review our Accessibility Policy, our Multi-Year Accessibility Plan, or email accessibility@stratfordfestival.ca. 

MORE DETAILS

Audio Description

Audio Described Performances

Audio-described performances are designed for guests who are Blind or have low vision. Delivered via headset, the live audio description gives details of costumes, sets and on-stage action without interfering with spoken dialogue.

For more details and dates, visit our Audio Described Performances page.

Magnifying Sheets

Magnifying sheets are available from the house manager.

  Upon request, the Festival offers copies of house programs and visitors' guides in Braille to patrons who are Blind or have low vision. Please ask ushers for assistance.

For Guests who are Deaf, deafened or hard of hearing

Hearing Assistance

Our theatres offer wireless radio-frequency hearing-assistance receivers (HARs), compatible with t-coil hearing aids and cochlear implants. For optimal performance, guests are encouraged to bring their own wired headphones; however, we do have a number of headphones to lend. Please reserve your hearing-assistance device when booking your ticket.

American sign Language

American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be available on selected dates throughout the season.

For more details, visit our American Sign Language Performances page.

American sign Language

At our open captioned performances, the dialogue and sound effects of the play will be shown as text on a screen in front of a reserved section of seating. These captions will be displayed in sync with the actors' spoken lines.

For more details and dates, visit our Open Captioned Performances page.

Additional open captioned, audio-described and ASL-interpreted performance dates may be available to groups of 20 or more for performances after July 1. Please contact groups@stratfordfestival.ca for more information.

Relaxed Performances

Relaxed Performances

Relaxed performances (RPs) aim to meet the needs of autistic and other neurodiverse people and people with disabilities, while also being suitable for families or first-time theatregoers.

RPs foster a casual approach to the traditional theatre experience, rethinking expectations for audience members in a performance space. Within this relaxed space, people are welcome to move around, make noise or step out to a quiet area. RP modifies lighting and sound, in addition to consulting people with disabilities, to ensure everyone feels welcome and safe.

For more details, visit our Relaxed Performances page.

Mobility

Accessible and Mobility seating

We offer accessible and mobility-friendly seating in all our theatres. Accessible seating is available for wheelchair users, while mobility seating is reserved for those with reduced mobility. Patrons can remain in their wheelchairs in accessible seating areas. Canes can be brought to your seat, while large devices such as walkers must be stored outside the auditorium during performances. While all theatres are equipped with handrails, please note that regular seating areas at the Studio Theatre and in the Avon Theatre balcony are steeply inclined.

Wheelchair Accessibility

Our theatres feature accessible washrooms, motorized door controls and elevators in all buildings.

 

Special Parking Access

Pre-paid accessible parking is available with a disability parking permit. Spaces are limited, so please reserve when booking tickets. The City of Stratford also provides unreserved accessible parking in Upper Queen's Park, adjacent to the Festival Theatre, and near our other theatres. Metered parking is free throughout Stratford in designated spaces with a disability parking permit.

For more details on parking, visit our Onsite Amenities page.

For guests who require a support person or animal

Support Persons

We welcome support persons who provide services or assistance with communication, mobility, personal care, medical needs, or access to our facilities. Support persons must have their own valid tickets for performances and events that have assigned seating; admission prices will be charged for both attendees based on seating location chosen. Complimentary admission for one support person will be granted with a valid CNIB card or Access 2 card, on a case-by-case basis. Please call the box office prior to performance.

Service Animals

Service animals are always welcome. Please call our Box Office if you have any questions or concerns regarding the best seating locations when visiting with a service animal.

For guests with scent allergies or sensitivities

Scent Allergies or Sensitivities

We encourage patrons to refrain from wearing scented products. While we cannot guarantee a scent-free environment, should you have an allergy to scented products and need to be moved from your original seating location, please see the House Manager.

 

Feedback

Patrons with disabilities can offer their feedback in how to make the Stratford Festival more accessible. In addition to speaking with Festival staff, management, or volunteers, please visit our contact us page for more information on how to reach us. If you would like an accessible format or communication support with respect to the feedback process, please reach out to accessibility@stratfordfestival.ca.

To give feedback, please visit our contact us page.