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Issue 4 – September 2009
Welcome to our September quarterly issue. We are pleased to announce that the first public lift and indoor escalators at Sydney Opera House are operational and the Accessibility and Western Foyer Project is complete with new facilities. We also have improved accessible seating in all three Western Theatres. The Trust has now endorsed a new Access Strategic Plan 2009-2012 and there are a number of initiatives underway. Also in this issue see our regular assisted performance section and other news on performances, events and conferences, including advanced notice on the early bird bookings for the Arts Activated Conference March 2010.
IMPROVED ACCESS
New Western Foyer, Public Lift and Indoor Escalators now open!
Less mobile visitors, people with a disability and families with prams can travel undercover to the Western Foyer and to all levels of the Sydney Opera House for the first time.
The public lift connects the Lower and Ground Levels to the Upper Main Box Office Level. Patrons can enter the lift via an underground corridor near the Sydney Opera House Shop on the Lower Level and also at a corridor on the Ground Level (at the top of the escalators). The new escalators connect the Upper Level to the Opera Theatre and Concert Hall southern foyers.
As well as the lifts and escalators, a beautiful new Utzon-designed space which unifies the foyers of the Playhouse, The Studio and Drama Theatre is now open for public use. Additional amenities include new ticketing, toilet and cloaking facilities, food and beverage outlets, a complimentary taxi phone service and more seating.
Two new accessible toilet facilities and a significant increase in the capacity of the female toilets in the Western Foyer have greatly improved access to amenities for customers visiting the Sydney Opera House.
Experience the Playhouse
Two new platform stair-climber lifts have been installed on entry to the Playhouse theatre. The wheelchair lifts feature fold-out seats allowing them to be used by both wheelchair users and less mobile patrons. Four new accessible wheelchair positions have also been created at the mid theatre entry level allowing patrons in wheelchairs to be accompanied by their companion in some of the best seating positions in the Playhouse.
Visitors using hearing aids can now enjoy The Essential Tour
The Essential Tour runs for one hour and takes you on a journey through the extraordinary history and architecture of the building. We now have head sets for The Essential Tour which are compatible with the hearing aid T-Loop setting. If you would like to use this new service, please ensure you advise our staff at the time of purchasing your tour ticket.
Lower Level Accessible Toilet Refurbishment
The Lower Level accessible toilet facility (located at the northern end of the Lower Level) has been refurbished to be more user-friendly. An automated door opener has replaced the former heavy bronze entry door, an interior airlock wall has been removed to increase circulation space for wheelchairs and easy access fixtures and fittings installed to increase accessibility.
Access Strategic Plan 2009-2012
The latest Sydney Opera House Access Strategic Plan was endorsed by the Sydney Opera House Trust in June 2009. The Plan has been developed through consultations with both internal and external stakeholders and consists of over 40 access strategies aimed at improving disability access to our premises, services, facilities, performances and experiences. Some of the initiatives in the Plan include: completion of the Sydney Opera House Access Masterplan for Backstage, Presenter and Public Areas; piloting mental health awareness training; developing an inclusive mentoring/work experience program for emerging arts workers with disabilities and a new high profile external ambassador program to assist with promotion of our access facilities.
The Plan is available on our website at www.sydneyoperahouse.com
Thank you to all key stakeholders who commit their time and effort towards the many initiatives to improve access for the people of Sydney, NSW and visitors from around the world.
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES
God of Carnage, performed by Sydney Theatre Company, Drama Theatre
Audio described: 7 November 2pm and Captioned: 18 November 1pm and 20 November 8pm
Something nasty involving the Children and a stick has occurred in the playground. It’s time for the Grown-ups to intervene, but are they mature enough? Yasmina Reza, the author of Art and Life x 3, has hit the nail on the head again. In this explosive satire she dares the audience to look beyond individual conflicts to the source of our constant embattlement.
More details on this wonderful production and other audio described or captioned performances by Sydney Theatre Company in 2009 are available in our Access Diary.
Hearing
FM Radio systems are available for performances in all venues. FM radio units may be borrowed free of charge 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.
An Induction Loop system is available at Box Office counter windows on the Upper Level, offering customers using hearing aids clearer sound when booking tickets and works by amplifying Box Office staff and customer voices.
ACCESS NEWS
Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD) Conference Washington D.C
Sydney Opera House’s Accessibility Program Manager, Jenny Spinak attended the 9th Annual LEAD Conference held at the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts.
The LEAD Conference is a place where leaders in the field of access to the cultural arts for individuals with disabilities come together to find out what does and doesn’t work in the area of accessibility for audiences, patrons, and visitors. This year the conference involved seminars on topics such as Accessible Technology, Physical and Communication Access; Universal Design; Employment; Marketing Strategies; and Planning, Leadership, and Advocacy.
If you are interested in more information about the Conference contact Jenny at jspinak@sydneyoperahouse.com
Sydney Opera House Open Day
Join us at the Sydney Opera House on Sunday 25 October 10am until 4pm for a fun, free family day where you can explore beneath the sails!
On Open Day we are offering four access tours for visitors with mobility restrictions. These free tours will operate at 11am,12.30pm, 2pm and 3.30pm. Each tour will be 60 minutes in duration and all three journeys (Behind the Scenes, Main Halls, and Western Theatres) will be rolled into one. Bookings are essential.
For bookings and more information on the access tours email Jenny Spinak at jspinak@sydneyoperahouse.com or call 02 9250 7175.
Arts – Access – Excellence, 25-26 March 2010 at the Powerhouse Museum Sydney
The Arts Activated Conference coordinated by Accessible Arts provides an opportunity for those passionate about the arts and disability sectors to come together to explore, debate, discuss and connect ideas and practice. The conference will also celebrate the accomplishments of and provide showcase opportunities for artists with disability. Early bird registrations will be open in November.
For more information contact Jane Pollard, Education & Training Manager, on telephone: (02) 9251 6499 or email: jpollard@aarts.net.au.
Helpmann Awards
Congratulations to Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu who won Best Australian Contemporary Concert at the Helpmann Awards held at the Sydney Opera House on 27 July 2009. Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu’s shows have been a sell-out at a host of venues including Sydney Opera House in 2009.
PLANNING A VISIT TO SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE
Access Guide and Brochure
We are committed to providing you with the most current and relevant information to assist you in getting to and around the site. An updated detailed Access Guide and an accompanying shorter Brochure will soon be 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.
Complimentary Shuttle Bus
Our popular complimentary shuttle bus service operates to assist elderly and less mobile patrons. Seating is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. The bus runs between Circular Quay near Stand E (under the Cahill Expressway) and the Vehicle Concourse on the Ground Level. Please note that there is no bus service for any theatres on Sunday evenings.
Customer feedback continues to be very positive regarding this complimentary service, primarily aimed at our less mobile patrons. Transporting customers between Circular Quay and Sydney Opera House, usage continues to increase as the Shuttle Bus becomes better known and established. This year it carried in excess of 17,000 passengers (15,000 in 2007/8 and 13,000 in 2006/7).
Complimentary Shuttle Bus running times
Vehicle Concourse Parking on Ground Level
A limited number of accessible parking spaces are available on Ground Level under the covered Concourse near Stage Door, a $15 fee applies. To check availability please call 61 2 9250 7185 Monday to Saturday 9am until 8:30pm, Sunday 10am until 6pm (subject to alteration). Please ensure you have your updated RTA details (current RTA permit number and expiry date) and credit card ready before calling.
Please note that sometimes these parking spaces will be sold out for some performances.
Customers who are deaf or who have a hearing impairment can call (at no cost) through the National Relay Service:
- TTY users phone 13 36 77 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 to the NRS (www.relayservice.com.au) and then ask for 9250 7185
More information on parking at Sydney Opera House
Accessible Drop-off Points
Patrons who are unable to walk long distances can be dropped off in taxis or private vehicles at the small Onsite Roundabout near the covered Vehicle Concourse on Ground Level.
Front of House staff will be waiting before performances commence at the top of the external escalator to greet you and provide wheelchair assistance should it be required. At the end of performances they will also assist with taxi arrangements from this same point.
Level access to the Drama Theatre, Playhouse and The Studio is adjacent to the vehicle drop off point. Patrons can then proceed via the new public lift to the Concert Hall, Opera Theatre, Utzon Room, Box Office, Guided Tours Desk, Information Desk, Theatre Bars and Guillaume at Bennelong (limited access).
All vehicles (including taxis and private vehicles) are required to stop at the Main Gate to confirm their access requirements with the Security Officer.
For more information feel free to contact the Sydney Opera House Information desk via email InfoDesk@sydneyoperahouse.com or call on 61 2 9250 7343. Patrons who are deaf or who have a hearing impairment can call (at no cost) through the National Relay Service:
- TTY users phone 13 36 77 then ask for 9250 7343
- Speak and Listen (speech-to-speech relay) users phone 1300 555 727 then ask for 9250 7343
- Internet relay users connect to the NRS (www.relayservice.com.au) and then ask for 9250 7343
ACCESSIBLE 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, Program Manager Accessibility at jspinak@sydneyoperahouse.com