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Access Hub

Welcome to the Access Hub! Here are the ways Luminato is making the festival more inclusive.

Our Access Concierge Service is now available. For all accessible seating requests for the 2023 Festival, we encourage booking tickets prior to June 5, 2023. Seat holds are limited although we will always do our best to accommodate your request. To discuss your access requirements, make bookings, or give us feedback, email [email protected] or phone: (437) 776-1569‬. 

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

Watch the Black Ark Documentary: Interview of Oluseye Ogunlesi by Natasha Courage Bacchus 

ASL interpretation by Christopher Desloges 
Toronto Sign Language Interpretation

This Month’s Archival Picks

Access Blog
Institutional Collaboration

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

Access Concierge Service is now available.

ASL Performances

To book seating close to ASL-interpreters, email Emily Maxwell at [email protected] or send request in ASL by video.  

Audio Described Performances

Treemonisha, St. Lawrence Centre – Patrons are encouraged to bring their own headphones to plug into Bluma’s audio description devices although there are earloop headphones available on site. To book audio description devices email or call our Access Concierge, Emily Maxwell at (437) 776-1569‬ or [email protected]. 

Nuit, Fleck Dance Theatre – Patrons can download the app for Sennheiser Mobile Connect System for Audio Describe and Hearing Assist. Patrons are encouraged to bring their own Smart phone and headphones, although a limited number of devices are available to reserve with our Access Concierge, Emily Maxwell by calling (437) 776-1569 or emailing [email protected]. 

Hearing Assist

Hearing Assist devices available for Treemonisha, Nuit and Loss. Patrons are encouraged to bring their own headphones. To reserve a device, email or call our Access Concierge,  Emily Maxwell at (437) 776-1569‬ or [email protected]. 

Support Persons

Luminato Festival Toronto is happy to provide a second ticket at no cost for support persons. Please contact Access Concierge, Emily Maxwell at [email protected], to assist with your booking. 

For all Accessible Seating requests:

We encourage booking tickets prior to June 5, 2023. Seat holds are limited although we will always do our best to accommodate your request.

To discuss your access requirements, make bookings, or give us feedback, email [email protected] or phone: (437) 776-1569‬.

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