Churchill Theatre Annual Report - 2006-07 - Appendix 1 ...

Access
The Access Committee continues to meet regularly to ensure The Churchill is
committed to providing the highest quality access provision for all its patrons.
A second successful external advisory group meeting took place in October.
Borough residents were invited via articles in the press and contributed to a positive
discussion. The agenda included the ADAPT Trust Audit, future improvements, the
forthcoming programme of assisted performances and an invitation to discuss the
patrons’ theatre experience from booking to leaving the venue.
This experience has been improved with the introduction of the Enta ticketing
system. Patrons’ access needs are now included on their profile to enable the Ticket
Sales Assistant to book suitable seats, for example the need for an aisle seat for a
guide dog.
New automated doors were installed to the main entrance.
Under the management of the Ambassador Theatre Group The Churchill has
provided Sign Language Interpreted Performances for 6 years and has now built on
this foundation to offer a broader programme of assisted performances, covering a
range of impairments. Today we also provide Audio Described and Captioned
performances, touch tours were introduced this year and in 07/08 Sign Language
Interpreted workshops for children will be introduced. Attendances for accessible
performances are at an all time high.
Accessible performance details have this year been incorporated into the main body
of the Season Brochure and into standard show leaflets and posters, inline with
recommendations from the DDA.
Two members of the Ticket Sales team became BSL qualified in 06/07and The
Churchill continues to provide access training for all staff.
In the future, a third external advisory group meeting is being planned and The
Churchill’s access provision will be audited by The ADAPT Trust.
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