Access Information
Providing access is an important part of any production process, and we place access at the forefront of our values.
Below, please find resources we consult when integrating access into each of our productions.
Information on Access Riders
Below is a collection of resources on creating and adhering to access riders. An access rider is an important document that outlines the access someone needs to create their best work.
An Introduction to Access Riders - A Younger Theatre
Access Rider Open Template - Disability Arts Online
Creating Your Own Access Rider - Unlimited
Access Rider Tips from DaDaFest Digital Producer Joe Strickland - DaDaFest
Access Funding & Support Workers
Access support workers are one-to-one support workers who enable someone to do their best work. There are a couple of ways to get funding for access support workers in the arts:
Access Support - Arts Council England
ACE will help pay for access support workers to assist in writing funding applications, as well as fund access support workers (and other access costs) as part of funding applications. You need to get in touch with ACE to procure funds for application support before you submit your application. Producer Beth Sitek has compiled a list of people experienced at assisting in funding application support, available here. The Uncultured are also a team of brilliant producers who often support deaf, disabled and neurodiverse artists with their funding application. Note that when access is included in an Arts Council grant, it is on top of the funding and doesn’t need to count as part of the project budget (i.e., if you need £5k of access funding it doesn’t need to count within the £30k maximum budget amount).
Access to Work - UK Government
The UK Government can provide funding for access to support workers and other support structures to help you do your best work.
Integrating Access in your Performances
Access in performances can help reach audiences with access needs. Offering British Sign Language interpreted performances, Relaxed Performances, Audio Description, and Captions can be useful — and creative! — ways of making your performances accessible. Here are a number of organisations that can help incorporate creative access:
Stage Text - A deaf-led charity offering captioning and other access provisions for those who are deaf/hard of hearing
Vocal Eyes - An charity offering Audio Description for those who are visually impaired
National Union of British Sign Language Interpreters - Union of BSL interpreters, providing information and rates
Relaxed Performance Information - Tourette’s Hero - Information on what a relaxed performance is and FAQs for companies who want to offer them
Creative Captioning - Information for people interested in integrating captions directly into their performance
Training & Learning
It’s important to take a rolling, flexible approach to access, understanding that what works for one person or group of audience members may not work for another, and that access needs for individuals can evolve over time. Here are some places to continue to learn about access and undergo training to make your work more accessible.
Access All Areas - Access All Areas makes disruptive theatre and performance led by learning disabled and autistic artists. They offer excellent workshops and consultancy on access in a variety of industries.
UK Theatre - UK Theatre organises a variety of workshops for integrating access into your work and making your work more accessible to deaf and disabled audiences
Mental Health First Aid England - MHFA England offer in-person and digital training courses on becoming a mental health first aider
Graeae - Accessibility Resources - Graeae has a number of excellent resources on their website with regards to access, including finding BSL interpreters near you, a tool to check if your website is accessible, and how-to videos for making your online work more accessible.
Did we miss something important to add to this resource page? Are you a deaf, disabled or neurodiverse artist with an upcoming production? Anything else you’d like to tell us about to add to this page/include in our newsletter? Email us! hello@partofthemain.com