Welcome to the Access Hub! Here are the ways Luminato is making the festival more inclusive.
Our Access Concierge Service is now closed. A big thank you to Emily Maxwell for providing this service for our 2023 festival. We are thrilled that 98% of the Access seats were used. We congratulate Emily on winning the inaugural Christine Karcza Disability Leadership Award, and her nominee, Courage Bacchus. We are proud to have them on our team!
Emily is now off contract, busy with her many other projects!
About Us
Meet the Access Advisory
We’d like to thank our 2023 Access Advisory for their ongoing guidance and contributions.
- Hope-Adina Adler
- Natasha “Courage” Bacchus
- Art Gunter
- Jack Hawk
- Sean Lee
- Christine Malec
- Gaitrie Persaud
- Brennan Roy
- Theodore Walker Robinson
Throughout the year, members lead specific projects from ASL classes to blog podcasts, training sessions, panel discussions, in addition to meeting regularly in the months leading up to the festival.
Get to know the Access Advisory! Read their bios here.
Commitment to Accessibility
Luminato is working hard to bring accessibility into the centre of what we do and we know this is a deep process which requires a long-term commitment. We are looking from every angle, inside and out, at how to change the way we work. Our internal programs include biweekly Lunch & Learn sessions, ASL lessons, as well as regular consultation with our advisory to offer feedback on office design, website functionality, artistic processes, training, and more. We are committed to hiring more Disabled staff and artists. We are committed to creating transparency with Radio LUMI’s behind-the-scenes podcasts and the expanding Access Hub. We are excited to share the work we’re doing and to keep growing in our commitments.
Christine Karcza Prize
Luminato has made a 10-year financial commitment towards the creation of a cash prize for emerging Accessibility consultants. Read TAPA’s press release explaining the story behind this new award created in honour of Christine Karcza.
In memory of Christine Karcza
Luminato honours the memory of Christine Karcza (1950- 2020), our long-term accessibility consultant. As a staunch advocate for better accessibility practices, she set Luminato on our path towards meaningful inclusion. She was treasured by the community and is deeply missed.
Conformance Status
As per the Government of Ontario’s AODA standards, beginning January 1, 2021, all public websites and web content posted after January 1, 2012 must meet WCAG 2.0 Level AA other than criteria 1.2.4 (live captions) and 1.2.5 (pre-recorded audio descriptions). Our new website launched in March 2021 with new accessibility features. The testing began in fall 2020 with assistance from members of our advisory and other Disabled experts in the field. We strive to create content that exceeds the minimum standards required by law.
Latest News
Congratulations to Emily Maxwell on winning the inaugural Christine Karcza Disability Leadership Award, and to her nominee, Courage Bacchus. Read the TAPA press release: HERE.
This Month’s Archival Picks
CRIP COLLAB 2022
Dedicated to Amelia Ruthen Nelson
Disability Spotlight Interview with Amelia
Listen Now
Feedback
Your feedback helps us continue to improve our access programs and services. We welcome your comments as we strive to expand our accessibility offerings. Please contact Cathy Gordon at [email protected] or 416 368 3100 x235.
Access Programs
Programs for Blind & Low Vison, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Relaxed and Sensory Friendly performances.
Blind and Low Vision Programs
Radio LUMI
Listen to Luminato on the radio! Blind/low vision hosts Ramya Amuthan, Christine Malec, and Theodore Walker Robinson, bring Luminato programs to audiences with live from location commentary, exclusive interviews, audio descriptions, and more.
Thank You Kingfisher Foundation for supporting Radio LUMI
Live Audio Described Performances
Nuit by Jean-Pierre Perreault – Saturday, June 10 at 8pm
Fleck Dance Theatre
Described by Superior Description Services
Sign up for post show chat with Radio LUMI host, Christine Malec
Arrive early before 7:30pm for early entry and to allow time to listen to the pre-show notes.
For ticket information, and to book AD equipment, email Emily Maxwell [email protected]
Scott Joplin’s Treemonisha – Saturday, June 17 at 8pm
St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts
Described by Superior Description Services
Arrive before 7:30pm for early entry and to allow time to listen to the pre-show notes.
For ticket information, and to book AD equipment, email Emily Maxwell [email protected]
Pre-Recorded Audio Description
Echoes Calling Back by Jordan Bennett
Pre-recorded audio descriptions by Janis Mayers coming soon
Sighted-guide tours available – Saturday, June 10 at 2pm
To discuss your access requirements, make bookings, or give us feedback, email [email protected]
Deaf & Hard of Hearing Programs
ASL Interpreted Performances
Scott Joplin’s Treemonisha – Sunday, June 11 at 4pm
St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts
Deaf Interpretation by Natasha “Courage” Bacchus and Juan Jaramillo, with Coach Gaitrie Persaud-Killings
To book seating close to ASL-interpreters, email Emily Maxwell [email protected] or send video in ASL
Loss – Thursday, June 15 at 8pm
Harbourfront Centre Theatre
Deaf Interpretation by Robert Haughton
To book seating close to ASL-interpreters, email Emily Maxwell [email protected] or send video in ASL
Snotty Nose Rez Kids performance at Luminato Music Weekend – June 17
David Pecaut Square
Deaf Interpretation by Gaitrie Persaud-Killings
Chinatown with Hannia Cheng relaunch April 19, 2023
Self-guided tour in ASL
ASL Deaf interpretation by Michelle Chung
Non-text Based Performance and Artwork:
Nuit – Thursday, June 8 to Saturday, June 10 at 8pm
Pre-Show ASL video with Deaf Interpretation by Alexa Hickox
Echoes Calling Back – June 8 to 18
College Park
ASL Description coming soon
Sensory Friendly (Relaxed Performance)
Designed for patrons who may benefit from a more relaxed environment (this may include people with autism, learning disabilities, and sensory sensitivities). Relaxed performances usually have slight modifications to sound and lighting, support aids, and an open-door policy with a dedicated quiet area.
Relaxed Performances:
Nuit – Tuesday, June 6, Time TBD
Fleck Dance Theatre
Book tickets with Access Concierge, Emily Maxwell. To discuss your access requirements, make bookings, or give us feedback, email [email protected]
Loss – Saturday, June 17, 2pm
Harbourfront Centre Theatre
Book tickets with Access Concierge, Emily Maxwell. To discuss your access requirements, make bookings, or give us feedback, email [email protected]
Dragon’s Tale – Sunday, June 18, 8pm
Harbourfront Centre Concert Stage
Book tickets with Access Concierge, Emily Maxwell. To discuss your access requirements, make bookings, or give us feedback, email [email protected]
Access Guides, Venue Guides & Mobility
Access Guides
Access Guides provide content descriptions of Luminato programs, including available accessibility features. Access Guides are useful for neurodiverse audiences and anyone who benefits from detailed context.
Access Guides available HERE
Venue Guides
Venue Guides will help prepare you for your visit to one of our venues. They include written directions to the venue, photos of the venue, and a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the building.
Venue Guides available HERE
Mobility
Luminato Festival Toronto ensures that its venues are as physically accessible as possible. Please refer to our Venue Guides for more information about the accessibility of each venue.
Booking Tickets, Support Persons & our Access Concierge Service
Our Access Concierge Service is now closed. A big thank you to Emily Maxwell for providing this service for our 2023 festival. We are thrilled that 98% of the Access seats were used.
With Assistance From
