Leisure Accessibility for Those Living With Sight Loss

West Sussex is fortunate to have a wealth of high quality theatres and cinemas, but for those living with sight loss, such a trip can be daunting, and the performance presents challenges in terms of appreciating everything that is happening on stage and screen. Thankfully, many venues support accessibility for the visually impaired with audio descriptive tours/performances, touch tours, bespoke times to visit and concessions.

For example, the nationally acclaimed Chichester Festival Theatre (CFT) offers audio description on certain performances and free bookable Touch Tours prior to an audio described performance. All seats have Braille signage, and Festival Season brochures are provided in large print, audio or a CD, plus cast lists in large print or braille. It also offers a Buddy Scheme with trained volunteers to meet you on arrival, help collect tickets and headsets; guide you to your seat, refreshments and toilets; and sit with you during the show.

The Hawth Theatre in Crawley, and Worthing Theatre and Museum offer an audio description service for selected shows, and the Hawth brochure is available online (audio), in large print, braille, and CD. The Chequer Mead Theatre in East Grinstead operates an Essential Companion Scheme for people who without the support of a Carer would not be able to visit, when you register you are entitled to a free Carer’s Ticket. Chequer Mead also operates a Buddy Scheme similar to the CFT. For cinema-goers, all Odeon cinemas offer a good selection of films with audio description and a free companion ticket.

These venues (which all welcome assistance dogs), are just some examples of the support available. It is important to contact your chosen venue to plan a visit, as the booking process, logistics and concessions all vary. Please visit the venue’s website where phone and email contacts can be found.