TDF Accessibility Programs (TAP)
The mission of TDF is to increase access to theatre for all audiences. That's why TDF's programs for physically disabled theatregoers—from viewers who use wheelchairs to patrons with hearing or vision loss—are such an important part of its outreach, and have been consolidated into the TDF Accessibility Programs.
For theatregoers who are hard of hearing or deaf, low vision or blind, who cannot climb stairs, or who require aisle seating or wheelchair locations, TDF obtains special seating according to need. There is no annual fee, but you must provide evidence of eligibility.
TDF Accessibility Members can take advantage of all the following services:
Open captioning at select performances
An electronic text display to the side of the stage shows what the actors are saying or singing and describes sound effects on stage. Check TDF Show Search for availability at a particular show.
Sign language interpreting at select performances
An interpreter uses American Sign Language to describe what the actors are saying or singing, as well as sound effects on stage.
Audio Description at select performances
A specially trained describer explains what’s happening on stage during pauses in dialogue. The describer uses a headset microphone, while individuals in need of the service listen through a receiver with a single earpiece.
Accessible seating
Members who use wheelchairs or are able to transfer from their wheelchairs into aisle seats can obtain the seating they require. Members who are low vision or blind can order tickets that place them closer to the stage and also obtain appropriate seating to accommodate guide dogs.
Access for Young Audiences
TDF's Accessibility Programs reach out to school groups of young theatregoers with mild to severe hearing or vision loss by providing special sign language interpreted & open captioned or audio described performances of Broadway shows.
Tickets by mail
No waiting at the box office—and plenty of time to get settled before the curtain goes up.
Who's eligible?
Anyone who requires special seating or may benefit from open captioning, sign language interpreting or audio description services as the result of a documented physical limitation
Accessibility Services Available From Other Organizations
Foreign Language Translation
Theatregoers who are not fluent in English can listen to a simultaneous description of some shows in languages including Japanese, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, and Korean. The system is called ShowTrans. Complete information at www.soundassociates.com
Assisted Listening
An infrared system transmits the amplified voices of actors and musicians to individual headset receivers, which are free to use. Complete information at www.soundassociates.com
Closed Captioning
Individual handheld devices display complete dialogue, lyrics, and sound effects throughout the performance. The I-Caption system works from any seat location and is currently available at three Broadway theaters. Complete information at www.soundassociates.com
Meet the pioneers who brought sign language interpretation to Broadway:
Uploaded on YouTube by TDFvideo on Sep 24, 2010
Meet the pioneers who brought sign language interpretation to Broadway. http://stages.tdf.org .
ABOUT TDF
Mission Statement: Theatre Development Fund, a not-for-profit organization, was created with the conviction that the live theatrical arts afford a unique expression of the human condition that must be sustained and nurtured. TDF’s twofold mission is to identify and provide support, including financial assistance, to theatrical works of artistic merit, and to encourage and enable diverse audiences to attend live theatre and dance in all their venues.
# For the Theatre Development Fund, visit: http://www.tdf.org/
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