PRINCE GEORGE – Heidi Klepsch is the accessibility coordinator for Theatre North West and revealed a new system that has been activated in the run-up to its newest production.
It’s a system called a hearing loop and it literally opens up the sound for someone with a hearing aid or cochlear impact.
“It allows people with a hearing aid or a cochlear implant to connect to the system without having to put on any additional equipment. They just change their hearing aid or cochlear implant to the tell coil setting and immediately they can start hearing amplified sound.”
This is the first in Prince George.
“It is the kind of system that provides some of the clearest possible sounds. So it’s kind of an ideal choice for a theater.
And as far as Theatre Northwest is concerned accessibility is beyond ramps and rails.
“Accessibility is about a lot more than just ramps and rails. I mean, ramps and rails are hugely important. In fact, they’re essential for people to be able to enjoy the building, to use the building,” explains Marnie Hamagami, Artistic Producer for TNW. “But it’s it’s about more than that. It’s about soundscapes and visual scapes and smells and, you know, seeding every aspect of the organization needs a good, hard look in terms of accessibility.”
Klepsch says this system is the gold standard in Europe, especially the United Kingdom where it is mandated.
“So overseas like it’s installed in taxis, busses, it’s all public places. It’s been a requirement in the U.K. since 2010. So it’s everywhere over there, and it’s only just starting to become a popular accessibility technology over here.”
This is not Theatre Northwest’s first foray into accessibilty. Take the front row for example, which has removal seats and they have included what’s called “relaxed theatre” for years.
“If you need to move around, if you need to get up during the performance, if you maybe have a physical or verbal tick that you’re not 100% in control of this is that that’s the time to come to see us. They pay what you can so they’re people come for free all the time and that’s great. That’s the whole reason we have them.”
But the accommodating nature of the theatre means there are some challenges.
“So we do need to change the seating along the front row. It will still be our front row seating will still be usable by everybody, but it will hopefully contain chairs that are movable so we can allow more wheelchair access across the front.”
But today’s announcement is all for the hearing impaired and the opportunity to partake in the theatre, something that may not have been possible until now.
