Image: Access Guide shoot with Guide Dogs. Photo by Fumika Takagi

Adelaide Fringe cements its commitment to improving accessibility in this year’s festival and the broader arts community with the release of the 2021 Access Guide.

The Access Guide – available in large format black and white in print, digital formats, and as text only and audio described – has been made possible thanks to the support of Deaf Can:Do and new Access Partner Guide Dogs SA/NT.

Adelaide Fringe Director and CEO Heather Croall said Fringe is excited to offer the Access Guide, ensuring audiences with access requirements can enjoy the magic and fun of Fringe.

“We are striving to reduce barriers to Fringe, and happy to continue our strong partnership with Deaf Can:Do. We are pleased to expand our offering of accessible opportunities and we welcome our new Access Partner Guide Dogs SA/NT,” she said.

“This year we have implemented a number of new website developments, adding an access widget and a multitude of features to make the Fringe site easier than ever to navigate.”

The access widget on the website can increase the standard cursor size, change the text size, switch on a dyslexia font, provide assistive keyboard navigation and has a screen reader functionality.

Chief Executive Officer, Guide Dogs SA/NT, Aaron Chia said they are proud to be an accessibility partner and support Adelaide Fringe in creating a welcoming and safe environment for people of all abilities.

“At Guide Dogs, we are committed to improving accessibility in our community through practical support and education,” he said. “Everyone should be able to experience the joy that Adelaide Fringe and the broader arts industry brings to peoples’ lives.”

Throughout Fringe, Festival Access Support Volunteers, who have received Human Guide training by our Access Partner Guide Dogs, will be on the ground to assist.

For audiences who are vulnerable, at risk or would prefer to enjoy Fringe from the comfort of home can do so via digital events.

The Access Guide is available in more than 40 distribution points across South Australia including Adelaide Fringe Box Offices.