Specific access needs
If you have a specific access need that isn't mentioned here, or anything to tell us about what is written here, please do get in touch.
For specific projects, we will give participants specific access support information.
To give you an idea of our approach, here's how we aim to provide for specific access needs when we’re gathering on digital platforms and in person. We really welcome feedback on our aims and intentions.
Accessible spaces
We aim to always use physical spaces that are accessible for wheelchair users, and ideally venues which have Changing Places facilities. We will work with places that are not equipped in these ways. Where we can, we aim to support them to add these things.Languages
We generally communicate in spoken English and British Sign Language (BSL).British Sign Language
At live events, we aim to have a minimum of four BSL interpreters present at every performance. In this way, we're always prepared for at least two people who need interpretation, and we give some support to those who find aural processing challenging. Our intention is that each participant who requires an interpreter can be accompanied throughout by two personal sign language interpreters at live events if they want that. On video platforms, our aim is to have two interpreters in the main space, and two each for any secondary spaces.Live transcription / Captioning
All of our online video events will have live transcribing. We aim to live-transcribe in-person events wherever practicable, such as whole-group gatherings, for example the opening and closing circles of Open Space events.Audio description
Professional performers who take part in live events will be given training in how to incorporate audio description into improvisation. In addition to this, two personal audio describers will accompany anyone with this access need, and they will discuss personal preferences about what can most usefully be described about the people and the process. Some spaces will be enhanced with environmental soundtracks and playlists, which can be added to by participants.Touch and scent enhancement
We intend for live events to have optional touch and scent enhancement, giving individual opportunity for greater tactile and olfactory engagement. The aim is to make this enhancement available for people who are engaging remotely too.Neurodivergence
Much of our access and support was designed with neurodivergence like autism and ADHD in mind. If you have a particular access need and are comfortable sharing it with us, we will always try to accommodate you individually and uniquely.Auditory Processing & Quiet Spaces
A quiet, sensory space in a venue, or a quiet channel in digital access, will be available for those who feel overstimulated. At live events, ear defenders can be provided for those who need some distance from sound in noisy spaces. The “final” performance may happen multiple times with each performance tailored for different access needs, e.g. a performance without any planned loud noises.Access to Information
We welcome players knowing everything about the story/world up front if they want to, and even being part of the forward plotting. This information can be found by asking in the #chat-and-questions channel on Discord, or direct messaging one of the channel admins. See the article on how we roleplay for more on this.Replays
Entire character interactions can be repeated for clarity, or even to change them for a different version the participants prefer, for any reason. If we have a gathering for the final event that goes one way on the first night, and we want to try it another way on the second night, we can.Mental health access support
Roleplay can be an emotional thing to be involved in. We aim to always have a mental health first aider onsite at in-person events, and we encourage all participants who would benefit from the support of an Accompanist to bring someone they trust with them, or at least have a connection to someone they can contact if they need some support that is more bespoke than the limited and informal support we can all give each other. You can let your Accompanist and/or fellow players know about any specific triggers you have, and how to help if you unexpectedly encounter them. Obviously, much of the performance and roleplay we do is improvised and we cannot predict exactly what that will include, but we can certainly all try to be aware of anything in particular, and how best to offer support if it does happen.Conflict of Access Requirements
When you’re gathering in big groups, there will be some kind of conflict of access support need. This is a major reason why we have an accord that involves everyone doing the best they can to support and also be tolerant of others. The most important thing we can all do as individuals is communicate as clearly as we’re able, with as much warning as possible, about things we are unable to accommodate.Creative Commons
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