Access at Fringe
Questions
About Access
If you have questions or suggestions regarding accessibility protocols while you’re at the festival, you can contact Emma (she/they). She is the Access Coordinator of the Fringe festival. You can contact them by email (emma@ottawafringe.com) or in person during the festival. She will respond to all questions within 48 hours.
About Tickets
Do you have questions about buying tickets or about the shows available this year? Please contact our box office: BoxOffice@OttawaFringe.com or by phone 613-232-6162 x 100.
First Time Fringers
We call anyone attending the festival a “fringer”. We understand there is some more lingo and things that you might want to know before attending. You can read about the venues, lingo, and more in our First Time Fringers’ guide here.
The main things to know about coming to the Festival is to purchase your pin and tickets and come to have fun! To purchase both visit our box office in person or online here.
Access Guide
In this access guide, we outline more details about what you can expect from the access features, how to buy a ticket, how to watch a show, definitions and so much more. To view the 2024 Access Guide as a Google Doc, click the button below. If you require alternative formats please contact Jake at Access@OttawaFringe.com.
Access at this year’s festival
This year at Ottawa Fringe we have several different ways to address your access needs. We have some things available on demand and others by request. We have defined different categories to help you pick the shows that will best meet your needs.
In Person Access:
Wheelchair & Scooter Accessibility
All of our venues are wheelchair accessible. For more information about how to get here, you can check out our access guide (link coming soon). Volunteers are available to assist with parking requests if you’d prefer not to use your wheelchair or scooter in the theatre
Latecomers Allowed
All Fringe shows will be allowing latecomer entry. Latecomers will be brought in as a single group. You will be let in at seven minutes into each show. You must already have purchased a ticket to be permitted entry. No tickets will be sold once the show has started.
Attendant, Personal Support and Respite workers
We offer complimentary tickets to attendants, PSWs and Respite workers who are attending the festival with their clients. Please contact our box office to reserve your ticket by email BoxOffice@OttawaFringe.com.
Service Animals
We welcome all service animals in all our venues. If required there is some grass available at Arts Court in the courtyard on Nicolas and Daly.
Sensory Backpacks
These are small kits have a few tools to support people with sensory processing needs. These tools can be used to calm and/or stimulate the senses. These kits have ear defenders and fidget toys.
Scent Free
The Ottawa Fringe is a scent-free environment for our staff and visitors. Please refrain from wearing perfumes, colognes, and other scented products during your festival visit.
Chill out space
This space is available for you to use throughout the festival from June 12-23rd in between shows. You are invited to sit, lie down, stretch, breathe, stim and relax in these spaces. The chill-out space is located in Studio 1202 on the University of Ottawa side of the building.
Assistive Listening
Shows in Venues 1 (Arts Court Theatre), 2 (ODD Box), and 6 (Atelier) will have assistive listening available via the Listen Everywhere app. This is a free smartphone app that you can plug in your own earbuds into your own phone and listen in. This free service supports those who need the sound of the show amplified. For a list of shows with assistive listening available, click here.
Information booth
Visit our new information booth on floor 1 of Arts Court where staff and volunteers can give you directions, answer questions, guide you through our online show listings, share enlarged-print versions of show information, and more!
Online Access:
Transcripts
The transcript or script of the show provides details about what the show will be like. If available, the shows will either share a copy of their complete script (full transcript), a minimum 10-page script sample, or an extended content note (for unscripted shows). The transcripts are available for free through the online show pages and are for personal use only.
Content Notes
Content notes provide more details about what to expect. These notes highlight elements of a performance that someone might want to know about to decide if this show is right for them, or to prepare them for seeing the show. These can include but are not limited to flashing lights, loud noises, violence, sexual violence, mental health themes etc. Notes will be available on each show’s webpage, as well as at the box office. To learn more about the content notes click here.
Audio Pre-show Note
Shows that are Described will also have an audio note. These audio notes will tell you what the show is about, and provide some visual descriptions of the character(s) and set.
Accessible Show Categories
Fringe Shows can now be searched by their accessible category. Click on the drop-down menu search bar on the show page here.
If you want a plain text list for accessible shows click here.
For definitions of the icons used at Ottawa Fringe click here.
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