The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) requires Theatres to “make reasonable adjustment” to accommodate Disability. While building adjustments and provision for wheelchair access is an obvious adjustment, the needs of Deaf and hearing-impaired users are far more complex and THEATRESIGN is able to act as a consultancy in this area. The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) has also recently clarified some aspects of this provision;
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- The needs of Sign Language users and hearing impaired people are extremely disparate; one group requires Sign language Interpreted Performances; the other Captioned Performances. The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) has made it clear that Theatres have a legal responsibility under DDA to meet the needs of both groups and cannot argue that reasonable adjustment has taken place if the needs of one Disabled group have been met at the expense of another.
- “Reasonable adjustment” is determined by a Theatre's annual turnover. A regional Theatre with an annual turnover of £3 million would probably be expected to provide a Signed/Captioned performance of every show. Similarly it is difficult to argue that ticket sales for a particular show are poor; sales for the show's overall run would be taken into consideration along with the Theatre/Production Company's total financial resources.
- A Theatre in making provision can make a performance “too difficult to access” by actions like using an unqualified signer, a practice which is potentially discriminatory. Theatres are therefore advised to follow the recommendations of SPIT (Signed Performances in Theatre) and employ only CACDP Registered Qualified and Registered Trainee Interpreters.
- Disabled people should have the same access to a show as able-bodied people. It would not be reasonable to have Signed or Captioned performances scheduled only when the majority of Deaf and hearing-impaired people are at work. A mixture of matinee and evenings plus the same right of access to weekend performances would obviously be considered reasonable.
- Long-running shows in the West End tend to have one-off signed performances which sell out quickly and unlike the rest of the public, Sign language users are left with no alternative dates to choose from. This practice is potentially discriminatory and these popular shows should be encouraged to have one signed performance in each booking period, or every six months.
- Reasonable adjustment also needs to be made for ticketing; alternative forms of booking tickets by Minicom, fax, and on-line or e-mail booking are again reasonable adjustments in this respect.
- Seating needs to be allocated and reserved for Sign Language users with an acceptable view of the Interpreter who must be properly-lit on stage. It would not be considered reasonable to place the audience on the opposite side of the auditorium, or too far back to benefit from this provision, nor would it be reasonable to take the Interpreter's light out during a blackout scene if there is continuing dialogue during the blackout.
- Theatres should consider making Deaf Awareness training to front of house staff so that they can communicate with all groups of Deaf and hearing-impaired people.
While every effort has been made to ensure that the above information is correct Theatresign Ltd cannot accept liability for any errors or omissions or for any problems encountered as a result of following this advice. The above information has been checked by the Disability Rights Commission, January 2004 and is correct to the best of our knowledge and information.
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THEATRESIGN is able to provide a consultancy service in this area.