Breaking Down Barriers in the Arts: Brisbane Festival’s Accessibility Partnership with CPL
Discover how Brisbane Festival and CPL's Accessibility partnership opens the doors to the arts through high-contrast Guides, Auslan interpretations, audio descriptions, tactile tours and more.
Art and live performance belong to everyone, but navigating major cultural events can present obstacles for patrons with diverse Access requirements.
Brisbane Festival has worked hard to address these challenges through thoughtful program guide design, and strategic community partnerships to advance arts accessibility. A cornerstone of the Festival's accessibility strategy is its partnership with CPL (Choice, Passion, Life) - Access and Inclusion Partner since 2023.
This year, CPL provided consultancy services during the design of the Accessibility Guide.
Finding a show tailored to specific needs is straightforward in the Access Guide thanks to clear accessibility symbols embedded throughout the program. To make discovering these options as seamless as possible, the Accessibility Guide is also designed in high-contrast black and white, and in large print for people with low vision or who use screen readers. The Access Guide is available online, for home printing on the Access page of the Festival's website or as a physical copy posted out upon request.
Selecting shows based on Access needs is also carried through to the website where patrons can filter performances on the Program page using standard icons such as the Auslan or Audio Described symbols alongside the written words for screen readers.
On the Access Page, patrons also have the option of clicking on pre-filtered collections of performances based on accessibility needs such as:
More pre-filtered collections available on the Access Page:
- Visual & Hearing Adjustments: Shows are categorized by visual content ratios (50%, 75%, and 100% Visual Content), alongside dedicated services like Open Captioning, Auslan Interpretation, and Assistive Listening systems.
Sensory & Sight Support: Patrons with low vision or sensory processing preferences can access Tactile Tours to touch sets and costumes before showtime, Audio Description delivered via discreet earpieces, or Relaxed Performances featuring lowered sound levels and gentler lighting.
Physical Mobility & Inclusion: Detailed venue information outlines wheelchair accessibility and complimentary tickets for Companion Card holders. Dedicated accessible viewing zones are also arranged for major outdoor spectacles like Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust.
This collaborative effort between CPL and Brisbane Festival directly drives systemic change within Queensland’s cultural landscape to create inclusive arts experiences where everyone can fully engage and celebrate together without boundaries.