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August 7-17, 2025

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Accessibility at SummerWorks

SummerWorks is committed to increasing accessibility for our audiences.

Each year, we work alongside Festival artists to find opportunities to incorporate a range of diverse audience access measures with their performances, where possible and when appropriate.

Scroll down to view all of the access measures provided at specific performances and events at the 2025 SummerWorks Performance Festival, and stay tuned for additional updates.

If you have access needs or a question about accessibility at this year’s Festival, contact our accessibility coordination team at access@summerworks.ca.

ACCESSIBILITY & COMMUNITY WELLNESS PROGRAM

Thanks to the generosity of Aubrey & Marla Dan Foundation, SummerWorks continues to offer our Accessibility & Community Wellness Program (ACWP). Through this program, we aim to cultivate progressive practices that foster greater diversity, accessibility, equity, and sustainability across the performing arts sector. It has been developed over the past three years in response to the emergent and urgent needs of the creative communities that engage with SummerWorks, and formalized in 2023. This program encompasses a diverse range of activities that prioritize increased access and mental health supports for artists, staff, volunteers, patrons, and our local communities of Parkdale, West Queen West, and Regent Park. In 2024, we formalized a new, four-pillar structure that encompasses all of the activities within the ACWP – Accessibility, Learning, Mentorship, and Programming.

Beyond the access measures listed on this page, the major public-facing components of the ACWP in 2025 are:

These performance projects are rooted in community, created with attention and care to lived experience, youth mental health, and resilience.

SummerWorks is grateful to Aubrey & Marla Dan Foundation for their continued support of this important work, helping us create a lasting impact in our communities.

Aubrey & Marla Dan Foundation logo

ASL Interpretation

ASL Interpretation is the process of translating spoken language into American Sign Language (ASL) or vice versa, facilitating communication between individuals who are Deaf or hard-of-hearing and those who are hearing. ASL Interpreters act as neutral mediators, often conveying not just the words but also the meaning, tone, and intent of the communication.

ASL Interpretation is integrated into all performances for:

ASL Interpretation will be provided at the following performances and events:

ASL Interpretation is available upon request, within the registration process for:

ASL Interpretation will be provided at the post-show Q&A for:

Captioning

Captioning provides a textual representation of the audio in a video, including spoken words, speaker identification, and relevant sound effects, making the content accessible to individuals who are Deaf or hard-of-hearing.

Captioning and subtitling is available in English and Korean, and it is integrated into all performances for:

Audio Description

Audio Described Performances offer verbal descriptions of key visual elements of a performance — such as sets, costumes, or significant actions — to offer greater access to Blind or low vision patrons.

Open Audio Description is when an audio Describer, or a performer in the show, speaks the description so that everyone in the audience can hear it. Audio description may also be provided via individual electronic devices called receivers, or via an individual called a “Whisper Guide.”

Closed Audio Description is when an audio Describer, or a performer in the show, speaks the description so that only the individual patron can hear it. This description is usually delivered through a receiver, with an audio track that can sometimes be turned on or off.

Closed Audio Description will be provided at the following performances, in limited quantities and on a first-come, first-serve basis, with priority given to individuals who are Blind or low vision:

Audio description devices are generously funded by the Government of Ontario, through the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

TACTILE TRANDUCERS

Tactile Transducers are electro-mechanical devices that create vibrations. They are often used to enhance the experience of video games and movies by turning sound into physical sensations. When connected to an audio amplifier and attached to a solid surface, tactile transducers convert audio signals into vibrations—similar to the haptic feedback you feel on a mobile device.

Tactile Transducers will be provided at the following performances, in limited quantities and on a first-come, first-serve basis, with priority given to individuals who are Deaf or hard-of-hearing:

Vibrotactile Pillows

Vibrotactile Pillows* are outfitted with a transducer that produces both the sound and the accompanying vibration, converting the energy of the sound into an enhanced vibrational experience. The pillows are flexible to hold in an individual’s arms, on their back, under their feet, or wherever they feel most comfortable. The pillows are provided to offer a more visceral audience experience for Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.

Vibrotactile Pillows will be provided at the following performances in limited quantities. Pillows may be reserved during the ticket purchasing process, with priority given to individuals who are Deaf or hard-of-hearing:

*These Vibrotactile Pillows are made possible through an emerging partnership with David Bobier and Jim Ruxton at VibraFusionLab (VFL) in Hamilton, Ontario, and our co-presenting partner, DanceWorks. Through this partnership, we aim is to approach accessibility as a multifocal and multi-sensorial opportunity for deeper connections between choreographic performance and audiences. The VibraFusionLab and DanceWorks partnership is made possible with support from Canada Council for the Art’s Public Outreach grant.

Touch Tours

Touch Tours are pre-show events that provide time and space for individuals to explore the stage, props, and costumes through touch. This tactile experience provides Blind and low vision audience members with a better understanding of the visual elements of the production and enhances their overall enjoyment of the performance. 

Touch Tours will be provided at all performances for:

Active Listeners

Active Listeners provide compassionate, empathetic and confidential support during or following a performance. Sometimes, the content of a performance may stir up upsetting or unsettling feelings. Active Listening is a relationship between two people who have lived experiences in common, related to mental illness, addiction, and other shared histories. Active Listeners can help individuals navigate complicated and confusing feelings and feel less alone in these challenges.

Active Listeners will be available for audience members, SummerWorks team members, Festival artists, and volunteers during and after the following performances:

Alternative Seating

Alternative Seating provides audience members with diverse options to better meet their individual comfort needs at a performance or event. Different seating options are a vital accessibility measure for individuals with physical disabilities or with compromising physical conditions.

Fat-Inclusive Seating/Chairs will be provided at the following performances in limited quantities. Chairs may be reserved during the ticket purchasing process, with priority given to Fat individuals:

Pillows and blankets will be provided as seating options at the following performances, in limited quantities and on a first-come, first-serve basis:

Relaxed Performances and Environments

Relaxed Performances are designed to welcome audience members who will benefit from a more relaxed sensory experience and casual environment, including (but not limited to) autistic patrons, people with learning disabilities, or those living with sensory and communication needs. There is a more relaxed approach to noise and movement within the theatre space; house lights will remain on at a low level and some minor production changes may be made to reduce the intensity of light, sound and other startling effects.

These shows are for anyone. Many other people may choose to attend a relaxed performance, either as an access requirement or because they like the inclusive environment.

The following performances are designated as Relaxed Performances:

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A Relaxed Environment is created for audiences who have various access needs that a traditional theatre environment does not accommodate. Before a Relaxed Environment performance, audiences will get a show-specific Visual Story that gives them all the information they need to know about the performance (content and sensory advisories, description of the performance elements, costumes, performers etc). *See below for Visual Stories about our Festival venues.*

During a Relaxed Environment performance, an audience member can:

  • enter and exit the theatre,
  • move around throughout the theatre,
  • can make noise or sounds,
  • those who need to keep their phone on will be able to do so, on silent or on vibrate,
  • throughout the show, there will be some light over the audience, for navigation.

There are no changes to the show’s lighting, sound, and other design elements in a Relaxed Environment.

The following performances and events are designated as Relaxed Environments:

Risk-Conscious Performances

Some Festival performances and events are designated as Risk-Conscious Performances, during which all audience members will be required to wear face masks or coverings while attending the performance. Risk-Conscious Performances are a vital accessibility measure for individuals who are immunocompromised or have a weakened immune system and for individuals with physical disabilities or who are experiencing mental illness or mental health-related challenges.

Please visit our Health & Safety Policy page for a complete list of Risk-Conscious Performances at the 2025 SummerWorks Performance Festival.

Moving Performances

Moving Performances require audiences to move short distances to follow a roving/ambulatory performance. Close attention is paid to the terrain on the route in the development of the work, and specific details of this will appear on relevant individual project pages. All moving performances will be accompanied by at least one Front of House assistant or volunteer who will be able to assist you if required. Some moving performances may have alternate routes or slight detours to allow for greater accessibility.

The following performances are designated as Moving Performances:

Physical Access

Our five primary Festival venues (Aki Studio at Daniels Spectrum, The Citadel: Ross Centre for Dance, Factory Theatre, The Theatre Centre, and Theatre Passe Muraille) have accessible entrances and washrooms. Where possible, we have indicated ideal WheelTrans pick up and drop off locations in each venue’s Visual Story below. All five of our primary Festival venues have accessible lifts to our performance and event spaces.

Other indoor Festival venues (A Space Gallery, Trinity St. Paul’s Centre, and Union Station) have accessible entrances and washrooms, and accessible lifts to our performances and event spaces.

The Esplanade and Evergreen Brick Works (outdoor performance locations) are physically-accessible for patrons using a variety of mobility devices.

All performances of Le Concierge at Saint-Frère-André Secondary School are not accessible to individuals with wheelchairs and other mobility devices.

All performances of Phalanx: Revival begin at Victoria Memorial Square Park and end at Factory Theatre. Audience members will travel with the performance – walking along sidewalks, crossing streets, and passing through parks and laneways – and should expect to stand for most of the presentation. The route is not fully accessible, and limited seating may be provided upon request.

All performances of This Moment occur indoors at Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre and in surrounding outdoor locations in Toronto’s Cabbagetown neighbourhood. Audience members will travel with the performance, moving to a new location for each of the four choreographic works. The overall route and each performance location is physically accessible, and limited seating may be provided upon request.

Washrooms

Our indoor Festival performance venues (A Space Gallery, Aki Studio at Daniels Spectrum, The Citadel: Ross Centre for Dance, Factory Theatre, The Theatre Centre, Theatre Passe Muraille, Trinity St. Paul’s Centre, and Union Station) have physically accessible All-Gender washrooms available to the public, with the exception of Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre and Saint-Frère-André Secondary School.

Our outdoor Festival locations (The Esplanade, Evergreen Brick Works, and Victoria Memorial Square Park) have designated All-Gender washrooms located in close proximity to each performance site.

Personal Support Workers

A person with a disability who is accompanied by a personal support person may have that person accompany them to our venues and attend the performance. Admission fees will not be charged for personal support persons at SummerWorks venues. Please indicate whether you will be accompanied by a personal support person when you buy your ticket, or when you arrive at the venue.

Service Animals

We welcome people with disabilities and their service animals. Service animals are allowed in the parts of our venues that are open to the public.

Financial Accessibility

SummerWorks believes that anyone who wants to attend a SummerWorks event can and should be able to. We have considered financial accessibility in the creation of our ticketing structure and fees, and further details on low- and no-cost ticket options for individuals and communities most in need will be announced in the coming weeks, prior to tickets going on sale.

VISUAL STORIES

To help you plan for your Festival experience, SummerWorks offers location-specific visual stories for our primary venues. These visual stories are PDFs that you can download to your device. The visual stories are updated annually to reflect changes to the spaces and programming. 

THE CITADEL: ROSS CENTRE FOR DANCE

DANIELS SPECTRUM: AKI STUDIO 

FACTORY THEATRE

THE THEATRE CENTRE  

THEATRE PASSE MURAILLE