Accessibility

We strive towards creating an environment where any person or group feels welcomed, respected, represented, supported, and valued to meaningfully participate.

We are dedicated to this ongoing work as we continue to adapt and make changes to increase our level of accessibility and inclusivity. Please see below to learn about our accessible offerings.

Accessible Seating & Washrooms

All festival venues are wheelchair accessible and include accessible bathroom stalls.  Our Activity Village is also wheelchair friendly with nearby accessible port o potties and an adult sized change table area. If you or anyone in your group have mobility issues or concerns, require special access seating, or have a certified service dog, please contact the Box Office at 605–708-5655 to reserve seats.

Relaxed Performances

Our Relaxed Performances are specially designed and adapted performances that welcome audience members who benefit from a more sensory-friendly performance experience in a more relaxed environment. We have them for select shows and performances.

What is the difference?

• Visual guides for the venue 
• Visual story for the show
• Before the show there is an introduction where the performers introduce themselves and can show you any of the parts of the show that could be intense (before everyone else comes into the theatre)
• The lights and sounds are adjusted to be less intense
• There will never be a blackout or strobe lights
• There will always be enough light in the audience to see your feet on the floor
• It is ok to move or make noise
• You can always leave and come back
• There is a chill-out zone in the lobby if you need a break before, during or after the show

This year we will offer Relaxed Performances of Otosan and Jam Side Up!

Fred Penner, Tree, Tree a world in itself are always a relaxed performance (see Extra Live).

If you want to bring a school group that would prefer the relaxed version of a show, please reach out to access@childrensfestival.ca.

Relaxed Performances — Extra Live

Some shows are “Extra Live”, which means that every performance is a relaxed performance. These are usually shows that are not intense on a sensory level (lights and sounds). The only difference is that they sometimes don’t have an introduction before the show, however, there is always a visual guide and visual story to help prepare for the experience. This year’s Extra Live shows are Fred Penner, Tree, and Tree a world in itself.

Show specific Accessibility Information

Our dedicated Access Activator collaborates closely with artists to gather general accessibility details for each show. Important details about the show’s lighting, sound, sensory information, participation and content are available for each show. By providing this information, we aim to help you make informed choices, so that you can tailor your festival experience to match your unique preferences and needs. 

Some shows also have a visual story which provides very detailed and specific information, including everything that happens in the show with pictures. A visual story can help you decide if the show is right for you or your child or prepare them for the experience.

Visual STORIES FOr Shows

A visual story helps you prepare for a new experience or decide if this experience is right for you with lots of information and pictures. All shows with a relaxed performance will have one, but many other shows do as well. You can use it to find specific information about one thing you want to know or read it all to know exactly what will happen. These are some things that are always in the visual story:

• Who is in the show?
• What does the stage look like?
• What are the lights like?
• What is the sound like?
• Is there audience interaction?
• Is there any sensitive content?
• Anything else important like smells or haze or food…
• Everything that happens in the show with a lot of pictures

Visual Guides for Venues

To help prepare for a trip to the theatre we have created visual guides for all our venues. Because knowing what it will be like can make it a less overwhelming experience so you can leave the surprises for the show. 

In the visual guide you will find information and a lot of pictures of:

• The route to the theatre and where you can park your car or bike
• The building and the theatre 
• The box office 
• The lobby
• The washrooms & baby change tables
• How to recognize staff and volunteers
• Accessibility info

Revue Stage Visual Guide
Granville Island Stage Visual Guide
Carousel Studio Visual Guide
Waterfront Visual Guide
The Nest Visual Guide
Performance Works Visual Guide

Deaf and hard of hearing friendly shows

Otosan was created with the support of Deaf Consultants to include people who are Deaf or hard of hearing. 

Tree, Tree a world in itself and Jam Side Up! are Deaf and hard of hearing friendly shows. They are very visual and you will find more information on the show pages.

Before each show, someone gives a little speech in English. Click here to read what they say.

If you would like to bring a group who needs ASL-interpretation for the curtain speech or a talk back, please reach out to access@childrensfestival.ca

Hearing-Assistance Devices

If you are attending one of our performances (360 ALLstars, Missy D!) at The Granville Island Stage, we have a limited number of assistance listening systems available. These infrared listening systems are provided free of charge for people who are hard of hearing. Please reserve in advance by calling the Box Office 604–708-5655.

Blind and Low Vision Friendly Show

Yassama and the Beaded Calabash, One of a Kind, Fred Penner and Missy D are blind and low-vision friendly show at this year’s Festival. 

Support Persons

VICF offers complimentary admission for support persons assisting folks. 

We also are a participating organization in the Access 2 Card Easter Seal program. 

To book tickets for a support person or to use your Access 2 Card, simply call the box office at 604–708-5655.

Community Outreach

To ensure that the Festival remains affordable to everyone, families and schools can access tickets through two of our programs:

Good Neighbors Program: We share the magic of the festival with children and parents who otherwise would not be able to attend. Each year the Festival distributes performance tickets at no cost to low income families across Metro Vancouver.

Adopt a Class: This program provides bus transportation and featured performance tickets for school groups from enhanced support schools across Metro Vancouver that would otherwise be unable to attend the Festival.