Our Access Program

Luminato’s Accessibility Team produces engaging year-round content and programming by Disabled, Racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ creators. This is also a service that Luminato offers to programmes and presentations to make more accessible. Program highlights include:​

• Access Hub, a comprehensive online resource that houses original content and accessibility program information​.

• Radio LUMI features live broadcasts from performances sites, in-depth artist interviews, podcasts and DJ’s who provide an immersive audio experience​.

• Audio Description of select live festival performances, as well as audio descriptions available online​.

• ASL interpreted program descriptions on our website with specific context for Deaf and Hard of Hearing audiences; select events are interpreted by ASL performers​.

• Relaxed performances are offered for select programs​.

• Access Guides, which use plain language to provide audiences, particularly neurodiverse audiences, with sensory details of programming​.

Supported by

The Disability Collective

The organization has become a driving force in changing how Toronto’s arts community thinks about and approaches accessibility. Their work has helped establish new standards for inclusion and has encouraged organizations to view accessibility not as an afterthought but as a fundamental aspect of artistic programming, ensuring that artists and audiences with disabilities have the resources and opportunities to thrive.

The Disability Collective has worked alongside Luminato to build capacity, understanding, and commitment to accessibility. Their consultative approach ensures that accessibility measures are not just implemented but are sustainable and become integral to our operations. They also create and deliver annual training programs that help staff better understand and serve audiences with diverse access needs. 

This year, Luminato is proud to expand its partnership with The Disability Collective through a groundbreaking residency. As a Collective-in-Residence, they will work with us year-round, providing in-house accessibility resources, training, and services. By working closely with our team, they will help ensure that our programming is delivered in the most inclusive and accessible way possible, setting a new standard for accessibility in the arts.

Access in-Association

The Access in Association program is Luminato Festival’s initiative to help arts organizations make their productions more inclusive and accessible, including for audiences with disabilities. We provide expert guidance, resources, and services such as site accessibility assessments, ASL interpretation, audio descriptions, and relaxed performances, ensuring art is enjoyed by the widest possible audience.

In 2024, Luminato supported Age is a Feeling, presented by Soulpepper, and R.A.V.E. at Downsview Airport presented by Outside the March and The R.A.V.E. Institute.

These services are offered as in-kind contributions, alongside training and consultation with our Access Advisory and Access Manager. In return, productions recognize Luminato as a partner, showcasing their commitment to accessibility.

Youth Access at Luminato

Luminato Festival is dedicated to inspiring and empowering young people through the transformative power of the arts. Our youth programming provides meaningful opportunities for young audiences to engage with world-class performances and hands-on creative experiences.

In partnership with organizations like Community Music Schools of Toronto, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), and other local youth-focused groups, we offer students access to performances, workshops, and educational programs that spark imagination and foster a deeper connection to the arts. Our family-friendly events and youth-oriented activities are designed to be inclusive, dynamic, and engaging, ensuring that young people and their families can experience art in ways that resonate with them. 

Luminato invests in the next generation of artists, audiences, and cultural leaders, building lasting connections to the arts that will inspire them for years to come.

Financial Access at Luminato 

At Luminato Festival, we recognize that financial barriers should not prevent anyone from engaging with the transformative power of art. Ensuring financial accessibility is a cornerstone of our commitment to inclusivity, equity, and community connection.

Financial accessibility not only enriches the festival experience for attendees but also strengthens the cultural fabric of the communities we serve.

Through initiatives such as pay-what-you-can pricing, free events, and partnerships that provide tickets to underserved communities, Luminato strives to make world-class art truly accessible to all. This approach reflects our belief that everyone deserves access to the joy and connection that art brings.

Want to learn more about how we can support your access needs?