More Accessibility Features at Esplanade
Making sure that the arts is accessible to and embraced by diverse communities in Singapore, is always at the heart of Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay’s work. This October, as the centre celebrates its 20th anniversary, it will roll out a series of new accessibility features to welcome patrons of all ages and abilities.
Image Courtesy of The Esplanade Co Ltd
Relaxed Environment Performances for Free & Easy Access
Esplanade will pilot Relaxed Environment (RE) performances at Octoburst! 2022 — a fun-filled day of performances and activities for little ones in celebration of Children’s Day on 7 Oct 2022. Unlike the usual house rules that require audiences to remain as quiet as they can during performances, patrons attending RE performances can make a noise, leave and return to their seat or access the toilets during the performance. This year’s line-up places a greater focus on providing access to children with mobility challenges. There will be self-guided hunt for the ever-loveable PIP around the centre which utilises wheelchair-accessible locations and a follow-along dance performance at the Esplanade Concourse during which children who require the use of a wheelchair will be able to participate along as well.
From January 2023, we will progressively introduce RE performances at all Esplanade Presents programmes that are targeted at children, families and seniors. This is in addition to all our daily free performances at public spaces like the Concourse and Outdoor Theatre, which have generally been presented as RE performances since the centre’s opening in 2002. From 2024, Esplanade aims to have a majority of Esplanade Presents festivals and programmes as RE performances.
Said Ms Grace Low, Head, Customer and Community Engagement and Lead, Accessibility Taskforce, The Esplanade Co Ltd, “Esplanade’s vision to be a centre for everyone has continued to guide us as we make our next steps for accessibility. Being a venue where persons of all abilities feel welcome and are comfortable is important to us. We recognise that introducing a Relaxed Environment for indoor performance venues will take some time for general audiences to get used to, but we believe that the arts and Esplanade can play a bigger role in embracing inclusivity and engaging those who face challenging circumstances in life. As we continue our journey to becoming even more accessible as an arts centre, we look forward to the continued support from our patrons, the arts community and social service agencies to advocate greater accessibility and inclusion in the arts for people of different abilities, especially among our young and seniors.”
During an RE performance, audiences are able to leave and return to their seat or access the toilets during the performance. This would most benefit patrons with dementia, anxiety, Tourette’s, bowel and bladder conditions, an autism spectrum condition, or a learning disability. RE performances have no modifications made to the performance. All RE performances at Esplanade will allow for free-and-easy entry and exit into the venue, so patrons who arrive after the performance has started can also enter the venue at any point. Pre-show announcements, signage at the door and advisories on our website will also reflect and explain what RE at Esplanade will entail. Esplanade staff including ushers, security officers and volunteers will also receive the relevant training and briefings on how to manage RE performances.
Improved Accessibility Features Onsite and Online
At the brand new Singtel Waterfront Theatre (SWT), which will officially welcome its first audiences from October, considerations have been made in the design of the theatre to support hosting of persons with disabilities including patrons on wheelchairs. The provisions made in accordance to Singapore’s code and standards for building for accessibility. The seats in this mid-sized, multi-format theatre can be removed for wheelchair positions, many of which will be located at the main auditorium level that will have barrier-free access from street level. Assistive Listening — audio input or any electronic sound source feeds into an infrared transmitter and the signal is picked up by the patrons’ infrared receiver — is also available at SWT.
Where feasible and appropriate, captioning, sign language interpretation, assistive listening and more will be actively considered and applied for Esplanade Presents performances. Recently, productions at The Studios featured Audio Description (AD), Singapore Sign Language (SgSL) and Open Captioning (OC). In November, The Donmar Warehouse Production of Blindness which takes place on the stage of the Esplanade Theatre will also offer Audio Description (AD). This performance is also Wheelchair Accessible (WA) for patrons who require the use of a wheelchair.
Launched in June this year, Esplanade’s revamped website is guided by key accessibility principles (colour contrast, text size and consistent navigation) of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Level AA. Individual listings of programmes that have accessibility features are reflected as Access Symbols. Wayfinding and access guides will also be made available on the Esplanade website for patrons to view and prepare in advance for their visit.
Partnerships Advocating Greater Accessibility
Since November 2021, Esplanade has been working closely with SG Enable, the focal agency for disability and inclusion in Singapore, on several areas of partnership regarding accessibility. SG Enable will be training Esplanade staff and volunteers on providing disability-friendly customer service as a public education effort under the i’mable initiative, sharing tips and resources on organising inclusive events. Esplanade has also worked closely with SG Enable to gather feedback on accessible facilities and programming, as well as on e-accessibility user trials involving SG Enable’s accessibility team, prior to the launch of the new website.
Said Mr Ron Loh, Assistant Chief Executive, SG Enable, “In line with the Enabling Masterplan 2030 recommendations, we believe physical and social environments ought to be accessible and inclusive for persons with disabilities as they are integral members of society. We are glad to embark on this partnership with Esplanade, and welcome other like-minded partners to join us in building a more inclusive Singapore.”
Other access partners that Esplanade works closely with include the Agency of Integrated Care (AIC), Dementia Singapore, Singapore Association for the Deaf (SADeaf) and more. To commemorate World Alzheimer’s Day, Esplanade will be one of the landmarks that will be illuminated in purple and yellow on 21 Sep 2022. This light-up is in support of Dementia Singapore’s efforts to raise awareness for the condition of dementia and the people impacted by it.
Ongoing Accessibility Initiatives at Esplanade
Since December 2021, Esplanade has been the first dementia-friendly arts venue in Singapore and a Dementia Go-To Point. Dementia Go-To Points (GTPs) are touch points within the community that serve as resource centres to provide information and useful resources on dementia and link those who need help with the relevant dementia-related services. GTPs also serve as “safe return” points where members of the public can bring persons with dementia who may appear lost and are unable to identify themselves or their way home.
All Esplanade Presents programmes that offer concessions have ticket concessions for persons with disabilities (PWDs), including but not limited to those with developmental, intellectual, or physical disabilities. This concession for PWDs can also be utilised by one accompanying companion.
A priority queue for seniors and PWDs is located at the Esplanade Box Office and Information Counter at the Mezzanine level of the centre. Besides offering priority access to those who require it, the wider lane provides more comfortable access for persons who require a wheelchair.
All of Esplanade’s PLAYtime! series are Relaxed Performances (RP) and calming spaces/huts are set up either inside the performance venue or right outside at the foyer, for patrons who need to take a break. An RP provides a welcoming and relaxed environment for children who are on the autism spectrum or have sensory sensitivities. Special modifications are incorporated into the performance to make it relaxed. Similar to an RE performance, audience members may also freely enter and exit the theatre space during an RP.
Building continuous support
Esplanade is grateful to donors who believe in the positive impact of the arts and continues to look for opportunities for partnering with individuals, corporations and foundations who believe in making the centre accessible for everyone. Do reach out to Esplanade’s Relationship Management team at partners@esplanade.com if you would like to come on board to support the centre’s accessibility initiatives.
Please visit http://www.esplanade.com/accessibility for more information on the centre’s services and accessibility efforts.
About Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
Esplanade is Singapore’s national performing arts centre. It hosts a year-round line-up of about 3,500 live performances and activities presented by Esplanade, its partners and hirers. Esplanade also brings the arts virtually to audiences in Singapore and beyond, through its diverse range of digital programmes on Esplanade Offstage, an all-access backstage pass to the performing arts and guide to Singapore and Asian arts and culture, with videos, podcasts, articles, quizzes and resources.
As an arts centre for everyone, Esplanade also creates opportunities for seniors, youth, children and underserved communities to experience the arts. More than 70% of the shows that take place each year at the centre are free for all to enjoy.
The centre works in close partnership with local, regional and international artists to develop artistic capabilities and content, push artistic boundaries and engage audiences. Esplanade supports the creation of artistic content by commissioning and producing new Singapore and Asian work for the international stage. It also develops technical capabilities for the industry nationally. Turning 20 in 2022, Esplanade marks the occasion with a year-long celebration themed 20 and Beyond: Keeping the Lights On. In addition to the presentations of its year-long festivals, programme series, and special initiatives and events, there will also be a season of new works by Singapore and Asian artists specially commissioned for the arts centre’s 20th anniversary and official opening of its newest venue, Singtel Waterfront Theatre.
Esplanade –Theatres on the Bay is operated by The Esplanade Co Ltd (TECL), which is a not-for-profit organisation, a registered Charity and an Institution of a Public Character. The Charity Council awarded TECL the Charity Governance Award – Special Commendation for Clarity of Strategy in 2016, and the Charity Transparency Award for four consecutive years since 2016. Esplanade is Singapore’s first Dementia-Friendly Arts Venue and a certified Dementia Go-To Point, as well as a Guide-dog Friendly centre.
TECL receives funding support from Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and its Community Programmes are supported by Tote Board Family, comprising Tote Board, Singapore Pools and Singapore Turf Club.
Visit Esplanade.com for more information.