Access Information
Melbourne Festival is committed to improving access for all people.
BOOKING TICKETS
The best way to book tickets if you have any access requirements is to contact the venue directly. All contact details for the venue box offices are listed on the Booking Information section of this website.
Please notify the venue ticketing staff when booking to ensure that suitable seating is allocated or other necessary access arrangements are made.
If you would like further information please contact the Festival N-Able service on (03) 9662 4242 or n-able@melbournefestival.com.au
REQUESTING AUSLAN INTERPRETING AND AUDIO DESCRIPTION
Patrons can request which performances they would like to be Auslan Interpreted or Audio Described.
To assist the Festival in planning these services please make your request by downloading the Request Form in either a PDF document (pdf file, 66kb) or Word document (doc file, 108kb). The request procedure is available in an audio mp3 format and an Auslan interpreted video.
The deadline for requests is 19 August 2011. Requests do not require payment. Some terms and conditions apply. Contact the Festival office for further information: (03) 9662 4242 or send us an email.
ACCESS MENU
SERVICES FOR PATRONS WHO ARE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING
SERVICES FOR PATRONS WHO ARE PATRONS WHO ARE BLIND OR HAVE LOW VISION
Accessible parking and public transport
Terms and conditions for AUSLAN and Audio Description services
PATRONS WHO ARE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING
This symbol indicates that sound amplification systems are available for people who are hard of hearing.
A hearing system is available in the Arts Centre and the Malthouse, providing coverage to all seats via headphones or neckloops through an FM signal. Please request a unit from the venue staff.
At other venues Ampetronic Induction Loops are available to patrons with a hearing aid via the "T" setting on their device. For more assistance please ask the venue staff.
Auslan is the major sign language used by the Australian Deaf community. The Festival may provide Auslan interpreting for events on request. Download the Request Form and view the Auslan interpreted video of the request procedure for more information.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR AUSLAN INTERPRETING
No payment is required with this request form but once the performance date and time is confirmed payment must be made to ensure booking. All requests must be received at the Festival by 19 August 2011. This is to allow enough time for liaison with the artistic companies and service providers to ensure the best possible performance can be delivered. All requests will be considered but in some situations the services may not be able to be provided due to circumstances outside of the Festival’s control relating to a venue or artistic company. In this instance another event, date or time may be suggested.
The visual symbol provides an indicator for the level of visual elements in a performance to assist in determining if the event is accessible for audience members who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
 |
No music/sounds or dialogue, or event is captioned or Auslan-interpreted |
 |
Fully surtitled providing access to spoken word but not background music or sounds. |
 |
May have music/sounds in the background, or may be partly captioned (or surtitled) or scripts/descriptions are given to the audience before the event on request |
PATRONS WHO ARE BLIND OR HAVE LOW VISION
Audio description is a narration of the visual elements of a live theatre performance for persons with low or no vision. Through the use of a small radio receiver and earpiece, patrons can listen to concise descriptions of costumes, stage settings, actions, expressions and gestures as they are transmitted live in between the dialogue. The Festival may provide Audio Description for events on request. Download the Request Form and listen to the Audio mp3 format of the request procedure for more information.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR AUDIO DESCRIPTION SERVICES
No payment is required with this request form but once the performance date and time is confirmed payment must be made to ensure booking. All requests must be received at the Festival by 19 August 2011. This is to allow enough time for liaison with the artistic companies and service providers to ensure the best possible performance can be delivered. All requests will be considered but in some situations the services may not be able to be provided due to circumstances outside of the Festival’s control relating to a venue or artistic company. In this instance another event, date or time may be suggested.
AUDIO VERSION OF THE PROGRAM GUIDE
Event descriptions and information from the Festival Program Guide are available in downloadable mp3 format. Listen to Program Guide mp3 files here.
LARGE PRINT VERSION OF THE PROGRAM GUIDE
If you have having trouble reading the small print you can request a large-print version of event descriptions by calling (03) 9662 4242 or via email here.
WHEELCHAIR ACCESS
Every effort has been made to ensure that Melbourne Festival events are accessible for people who use wheelchairs or who have limited mobility.
If this symbol is not displayed, access may be limited. Attendance at free and non-allocated seating events may be more difficult for people with limited mobility. If you require assistance at an event without allocated seating please contact our Festival N-Able service on (03) 9662 4242 or via email here.
All access requirements must be discussed with ticketing staff when booking. Please note, additional assistance by venue staff may be required to access these venues upon arrival:
Malthouse Theatre Tower
Gertrude Contemporary
Forum Theatre
fortyfivedownstairs
Screen Space
Some people with a disability require the assistance of a companion or carer to access venues and events. Melbourne Festival offers a second ticket at no cost to people who possess a Companion Card and who purchase tickets for Festival-controlled events through Ticketmaster or venue box offices (not available for internet bookings).
The Carer Card provides support for unpaid carers in Victoria. Melbourne Festival recognises Carers by offering card holders a 25% concession to most Festival performances. The Carer Card must be presented at the venue.
For further information on access please contact Melbourne Festival on (03) 9662 4242 or via email here
Information about accessible parking and public transport in the City of Melbourne is available at http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/CommunityServices/DisabilityServices/Pages/Disabilityservices.aspx
Information and facilities include: wheelchair accessible toilets and telephones; public TTY phones; disability designated car parking spots; accessible off street parking; train stations; accessible pathways; taxi ranks; public seating; and street gradients.
For information about Melbourne's trains, trams and buses, including timetables, ticketing information and maps, please call Metlink on 131 638 or visit metlinkmelbourne.com.au