Issue 1 – December 2008
Welcome to the first issue of our Access Newsletter! This quarter we highlight upcoming access events at Sydney Opera House in particular our discounted access tours offered as part of International Day of people with a Disability. Also in this issue, a snapshot of recent access upgrades to keep you informed. A regular Assisted Performance section will keep you in the loop on assisted performances at Sydney Opera House plus much more!
ACCESS EVENTS
International Day of People with a Disability
December 2008 saw us celebrating International Day of People with a Disability once again. Customers with a disability were able to take an Essential Tour as well as our Accessible Lift Tour at a discounted price of $15 between 28 November to 7 December (a saving of $20!). In addition, the 6 December 12:30pm Essential Tour was Auslan interpreted.
Internally, an Access Awards Breakfast was held to celebrate the achievements of staff and their commitment and contribution in 2008 for improving disability access under the Access Strategic Plan in the areas of physical access, promoting positive community attitudes, training, information about services, employment and feedback processes. It was also an opportunity to thank our Host Team, Complimentary Shuttle Bus Team, Access Tours and Vision Australia for providing essential front-line access services for our customers and patrons.
Vision
A list of 2009 audio described and captioned performances by Sydney Theatre Company is available in our Access Diary.
PLANNING A VISIT
Access Guide Brochure
An Access Guide Brochure is available to assist you in planning your visit to Sydney Opera House. The brochure outlines theatre access information as well as information on booking a performance or tour.
Download the Access Guide brochure
Shuttle Bus Service
Our complimentary shuttle bus service operates to assist elderly and less mobile patrons.
Read more about our Shuttle Bus Service
Concourse Parking for 2009
A limited number of accessible parking spaces are available on the concourse near Stage Door. To check availability please contact 61 2 9250 7185 Monday to Saturday 9:00am till 8:30pm.
Users who are deaf or have a hearing impairment can call, at no cost, through the National Relay Service:
• TTY users phone 133677 then ask for 9250 7185
• Speak and Listen (speech-to-speech relay) users phone 1300 555 727 then ask for 9250 7185
• Internet relay users connect NRS (see www.relayservice.com.au) and then ask for 9250 7185
Please have your updated RTA details including your current RTA permit number and expiry date to hand before calling.
Please note that sometimes these parking spaces will be sold out for some performances.
IMPROVED ACCESS
Captioning in the Drama Theatre
Sydney Opera House has recently installed a permanent captioning system in the Drama Theatre. Two large plasma screens at either side of the stage are used to display captions of Sydney Theatre Company productions. For people with a hearing disability, text from the performance dialogue is displayed on the plasma screens, enabling the audience to read what is being said at the same time it is being performed.
The captioning screens are visible from selected seats in the Drama Theatre. When booking seats for a captioned performance please ask for ‘Caption Seats’ which is suitable for best viewing of the plasma screens.
To make a booking for ‘Caption Seats’ to any captioned performances call Sydney Opera House Box
Office 9250 7777 or e-mail bookings@sydneyoperahouse.com.
Users who are deaf or have a hearing impairment can call, at no cost, through the National Relay Service:
• TTY users phone 133677 then ask for 9250 7777
• Speak and Listen (speech-to-speech relay) users phone 1300 555 727 then ask for 9250 7777
• Internet relay users connect NRS (see www.relayservice.com.au) and then ask for 9250 7777
List of captioned performances
Access Diary
The Accessibility page on sydneyoperahouse.com has been revamped with a new Access Diary section. The Diary provides current information on assisted performances (captioned or audio-described) and links to all other access information for customers.
New Public Lift
The new lift is expected to open in the first part of 2009. This will be the first public lift at Sydney Opera House. Stopping at three levels, the lift will hold 50 visitors making it easier for less mobile visitors, families with prams and people with a disability to access the Lower Concourse, the Western Foyers and the Box Office Foyer. The lift will be roofless allowing visitors to see the detail of the underside of Utzon’s famous folded Beams in the Box Office Foyer.
Read more about the Accessibility and Western Foyers project
Playhouse
Access improvements are current being made to our Playhouse theatre and will include an increase in accessible wheelchair and companion seating options, as well as the installation of new platform stair lifts to overcome the steps on entry into the venue. Completion is expected in early 2009.
There are also plans currently underway to increase and improve accessible seating options in The Studio and Drama Theatre.
The new accessible unisex toilet facility in the Western Foyers has now been completed.
Access Strategic Plan
In recent years SOH has been working hard to eliminate access barriers for people with disabilities through its Access Strategic Plan process. The current Access Strategic Plan 2005-2008 is in its final year of implementation and consultations with the community to inform the direction of the next 3 year Access Plan have commenced.
If you would like to provide feedback or suggestions on how we can improve access at Sydney Opera House in the next few years or if you have any feedback on the above projects please email your comments to Jenny Spinak, Accessibility Program Manager at jspinak@sydneyoperahouse.com
ASSISTED PERFORMANCES
Vision
A list of 2009 audio described and captioned performances by Sydney Theatre Company is available in our Access Diary. Bookings for these performances open Monday 1 December 2008.
Hearing
FM Radio systems are available for performances in all venues. Collect a free FM radio unit from the cloakroom when attending a show. This service is also compatible with hearing aids via an induction loop. Please enquire from the cloakroom for this service when attending a show.
ALTERNATE FORMATS AND MORE INFORMATION
A large print version of this newsletter is available on request from infodesk@sydneyoperahouse.com.
If you would like further information on any of the topics in this newsletter feel free to contact Jenny Spinak, Accessibility Program Manager at jspinak@sydneyoperahouse.com