Resources here are designed to help in two main areas:
- Increasing inclusivity and accessibility for audience members. How do we plan ahead to ensure that everyone is welcome and can access Passion Play performances near them?
- Increasing inclusivity and accessibility for volunteers and cast members. How do we create the best experiences for all of our cast members?
Performances around the country have used a range of successful strategies and you can find lots of inspiration and guidance below.
If you would like more advice or guidance you can also contact our trustee Suzanne Lofthus from Cutting Edge Theatre Company.
Audience Accessibility
How do we increase accessibility so audience members with disabilities can get there easily?
A great place to start is a visual guide to getting to your play such as this one which includes images as well as short descriptions (you can download it here). If you are providing a map, make sure to note steps, hills or uneven ground (see examples from Edinburgh’s Easter Play here). You can even provide a short video following the route to your play like this one or make a guide like this one. You can also provide BSL materials such as this video, along with text.
Before and during your performance, you can have ACCESS stewards wearing high-visibility jackets to assist people with disabilities to see/hear the play as best they can. As an introduction to the play, you can create an accessible programme with a scene by scene breakdown along with images. If you want to use one created by Edinburgh’s Easter Play, you can find a free download here.
Cast Inclusivity
How do we increase inclusivity for volunteers and cast members with disabilities?
You can create Tracks for disabled cast members, which include personalised prompts and scripts with highlights for speaking parts. You can find an example from the Edinburgh Easter Play here.
I’ve seen many of the productions and I think this was the best yet. The message of inclusivity really came through. Anon, Edinburgh
Thanks so much for all your help and the team over the last few years in helping my son and other budding and talented actors to become more independent and confident! Anon, Edinburgh
Disability Inclusion Discussion
What advice would you give to make it accessible for disabled, blind, audio description & hearing impaired signers?
Accessibility Guide
What resources could make it accessible for disabled, blind, audio description & hearing impaired to get to your Passion Play?
Increasing Accessibility and Inclusivity
Looking for ways to remove barriers and make Passion Plays more accessible? This summary offers some simple solutions for under-resourced small-to-middle scale performances to improve inclusive and accessible to disabled people. Download the Summary here.
Do you need a visual guide with directions to getting to your Passion Play? Download a visual guide and map here.
How do you make a BSL video? See the Edinburgh Easter Play video here.
Additional information below
‘Attitude is Everything’ Toolkit
Looking for ways to improve access for deaf and disabled people? There are many ideas, and examples of measures you can take to improve access for Deaf and disabled people at your festivals and events. Many of these measures don’t cost much money or time, as you can see in this toolkit based on the experience and expertise of Attitude is Everything. Download the Toolkit here.
‘Demystifying Access’ Guide
Unlimited has produced a guide for producers and performance makers on how to create better access for audiences to the performing arts. It includes many simple solutions to empower artists and producers of performance to remove barriers and make their work more accessible. Read the guide here.
‘Inclusive and Accessible Events’ Guide
Creating accessible and inclusive events does not need to be difficult. Find guidance and examples, as well as practical advice and hints and tips that can help you in all stages of the planning process. Read the guide here.
