VISION

ACCESSIBLE PLAYBILLS

Large print playbills are available upon request. Digital playbills in pdf format for use with text to speech apps are available upon request and can be emailed in advance.

AUDIO DESCRIBED PERFORMANCES

In partnership with Central Florida’s  Audio Description Initiative, audio description is available for select performances throughout the season allowing audience members who are blind or have low vision to enjoy live performing arts.

Using a headset connected to a receiver, patrons can listen throughout the performance as trained audio describers provide live, verbal descriptions of actions, costumes, scenery, and other visual elements of a performance. Audio describers start pre-show notes approximately 15 minutes before the performance begins.

Our audio described performances include touch tours which allow our blind and low vision patrons the opportunity to feel an array of props and set pieces prior to the show to get a better mental image or close-up look of many elements included within the production.

A limited number of audio description receivers are available per performance, and we recommend reserving one at the time of ticket purchase by contacting Kay at kay@athensdeland.com or by calling 386-736-1500 ext. 1009. Response time is usually less than one business day.

SERVICE ANIMALS

If you are attending a performance with your service animal, please let the Box Office know in advance to ensure you are seated in an area that will be most comfortable for you and your animal. By law, the service animal must be under the control of its handler at all times. The Americans with Disabilities Act defines service animals as “dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.”

The Athens Theatre is unable to welcome Emotional Support Animals or other animals that do not meet the criteria set forth by the ADA. Only service animals are permitted inside the Athens Theatre.

HEARING

HEARING LOOP ASSISTIVE LISTENING

A Hearing Loop has been installed and is available to hearing aids with an enabled T-Coil

Frequently asked questions about Hearing Loop Systems:

How do Hearing loop systems work? Quality Sound: A hearing loop sends sound directly to the telecoil receiver in a user’s hearing device. The system eliminates most background noise and greatly improves understanding of speech and music. Additionally, the sound received is customized by each user’s unique hearing instrument.

How do I know if my hearing aid has a telecoil? Contact your Audiologist to determine if your hearing aids have t-coils built in. The Audiologist can activate the t-coil to turn on manually when you select a specified setting (or program) on your hearing aid, or automatically, when a telecoil signal is detected.

How do you connect a hearing aid to a hearing loop? If your hearing aids have a telecoil, you can turn it on via a remote controller or a program button on the hearing aid. It then connects to the hearing loop system. Switch your hearing aid to ‘T,’ either via the switch on your aid, or through a ‘T’ program accessible via a program button or remote control.

Can a telecoil be added to a hearing aid? The telecoil is a small induction pick-up coil which can be placed inside a hearing aid. The telecoil is also known as a T-coil, or T-switch. When activated, the telecoil permits coupling of the personal hearing aid to sources of electromagnetic energy including a telephone and assistive listening devices and systems.

ASSISTED LISTENING

For patrons who do not have a hearing aid that is compatible with hearing loops systems, assisted listening devices are available upon arrival to the event. Please request a device from the theatre’s front-of-house manager.  Limited devices are available and are first come, first serve.

ASL-INTERPRETED PERFORMANCES

In partnership with NC Interpreting, The Athens Theatre will present ASL/English-interpreted performances throughout each season.

When looking at the stage, the interpreters will be located in front of the stage on the far left.

To purchase tickets in the section with the best sight lines to the Interpreters, please contact the box office either at 386-736-1500 or email us at boxoffice@athensdeland.com.

MOBILITY

The Athens Theatre has sloped floors entering the building from N Florida Ave. and in the theatre space itself, with lighted aisles. Removable seats and wheelchair designated spaces are available. These seats are available for purchase only through the box office. To purchase these tickets, please call the box office either at 386-736-1500 or email us at boxoffice@athensdeland.com. Patrons with walkers will be escorted to their seats by an usher, with the usher securing the walker during the show. Ushers will also secure wheelchairs for those patrons who transfer into one of the theatre seats.