- N
- A
- S
ACT 1 Access is a new software developed by members of the Blind/Low Vision and Deaf/Hard of Hearing community to revolutionize accessibility for theatre audiences
Access Broadway partnered with Access Tech and IDC Digital to develop new software that has the capability to power both Captioning and Audio Descriptions for a theatrical production via a singular portal. The software makes it possible for audience members to access Closed Captioning and Audio Descriptions via their own smart devices, or devices provided by the venue.
Act 1 Access opens doors for the Blind and Deaf/Hard of Hearing communities, and it opens up theatrical productions to new audiences that have historically been marginalized by the theatre. The team behind Act 1 Access is also committed to stronger cultural competency and equity in its description of the actors on stage.
ACT 1 Access launched its first pilot program in December 2022 in partnership with the Broadway production of Into the Woods, The Harriet Tubman Effect's Accessible Ticketing program, and members of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Blind/Low Vision and Neurodivergent communities. We are currently raising seed funds to underwrite the 4th pilot and proof of concept during 10 weeks of the Into the Woods Tour, focused on building partnerships with theater owners and producers for future usage of the software in regional and Broadway houses.
What makes this software so amazing?
As it stands today, Blind/Low Vision or Deaf/Hard of Hearing theatregoers are only able to access services at prescribed "Accessible Performances" if they want to see a Broadway show. This means:
What makes ACT 1 Access so amazing?
- Captioning and Audio Description are sent smart devices in your hand, and mirrored for a joint user experience.
- Captioning and Audio Description can be prompted by a single operator in real time. Access Broadway NY employs people who are Blind, Hard of Hearing, Deaf and Low Vision for the operator role.
- The Captioning and Audio Description scripts can be edited at any time to reflect changes to the show and/or casting, making accessibility in the theater an evolving process.
- Members of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing and Blind/Low Vision community are no longer limited to attending special "Accessible Performances" on prescribed dates.
- In the best case scenario, the only members of the Disabled community who get to see the show are those who manage to secure one of the limited number of tickets made available for these Accessible Performances.
- If the show does not run a minimum of 8-12 weeks, which is how long it takes for Closed Captioning and Audio Description to currently be written, Disabled theatergoers cannot see the show.
- If a show closes before any scheduled Accessible Performances have taken place, Disbled theatergoers cannot see the show.
- If a friend who is an understudy goes on, they cannot see their friend's performance unless it happens to magically be one of the Accessible Performances.
- Also, the Audio Descriptions cannot be nimbly revised. This means that if a young white man goes on as an understudy for a role that is played most nights by a middle-aged Black woman, when that man comes on stage they will be described as a middle-aged Black woman to those utilizing Audio Descriptions.
Your donation will make it possible for us to run a prototype of ACT 1 Access. Not only does this software open doors for the Blind/Low Vision and Deaf/Hard of Hearing communities, it also opens up theatrical productions to an untapped audience base that has historically been marginalized by the theatre and offers greater care to the artists onstage.