ACCESSIBILITY ACCESSIBILITY ACCESS FOR ALL RIVERSIDEISCOMMITTEDTOPROVIDINGQUALITYARTSEXPERIENCESFORALLPATRONSBY MAKINGOURPROGRAMSANDVENUESACCESSIBLE.THISINCLUDESPATRONSWITHDISABILITY ANDSPECIFICNEEDS. WHEELCHAIR AND LEVEL ACCESS Level access from the streets leads to our foyer and continues into all venues. Space for wheelchairs is available in all venues, but requires booking in advance. BATHROOMS Accessible bathrooms are available at each end of our foyer. PARKING Limited paid parking is available for patrons with a current disability parking permit only. Spaces need to be pre-booked with Box Office and there is a fee of $5 for parking. VISUAL ASSISTANCE If you require seats closer to the front of the theatre to be able to see the performance, please advise Box Office when booking your tickets. HEARING SYSTEM Our theatres are equipped with a hearing augmentation system that can be accessed through modern hearing aids. Headsets and receivers are also available for patrons who do not have hearing aids or whose hearing aids don’t work with our system. Please notify Box Office when booking if you require this option. AUDIO DESCRIPTION Audio Description is live verbal commentary at select moments in the performance and is relayed to audience members via a discreet receiver and earphone.The description communicates key visual information including action sequences, facial expressions, costumes and scenery. It provides access for patrons who are blind or have low vision. Our audio description service is generously provided by Vision Australia. TOUCH TOURS Held prior to a performance, these tours are designed particularly for patrons who are blind or vision impaired. They give patrons the opportunity to tour the set, props and costumes up close and in context. Tours are by prior arrangement and are particularly relevant for productions being audio described. AUSLAN INTERPRETATION Some productions are selected to be interpreted using Australian Sign Language (Auslan). This provides an opportunity for patrons who are deaf to access the theatre show. The aural cues that are essential to the storytelling and the theatrical experience are translated into sign language. Auslan interpreters are discreetly positioned for comfortable viewing by deaf audiences. RELAXED PERFORMANCES Select performances throughout the year are provided as relaxed performances.These are sensory friendly performances where the perceived ‘rules’ of theatre are modified to allow patrons with Autism and other specific needs to enjoy the performance in a safe and welcoming environment. Modifications may include doors remaining open, house lights being dimmed and loud noises toned down or removed. We are continually improving our access at Riverside. Please visit riversideparramatta. com.au/accessibility for more information or updates on performances and events with specific access. This year, a number of shows and cinema sessions will be Auslan Interpreted, Audio Described and/or Open Captioned. Visit riversideparramatta.au/accessibleevents to find out more. 33