Adrienne Sinclair Chalmers shares how the Edinburgh International Festival is working to make its events more inclusive and accessible for everyone
Q: How did you get involved in the Edinburgh International Festival, and what’s your role?
A: I’m a member of the Access Panel. It was set up two years ago to help people with various disabilities or mobility issues who attend the festival. The panel is ground breaking and I don’t think any other festivals do this.
I’ve been a festival-goer for decades, and I used to regularly send long emails about poor access. Now, I have the opportunity to make real change.
Q: What accessibility considerations are being put in place this year?
A: We have an Access Pass scheme. You don’t need to sign up for it to get concessions or support, but if you do, it helps because the festival already has your details and access needs on file. The Access Pass also gives priority to seats for people with access needs, such as aisle seats, front-row seats, and seats near exits, mostly in the stalls.
Importantly, there is no requirement to prove your disability, so no letters from the DWP or doctors. We take people at their word.
Q: What support is there for navigating venues?
A: We offer a free companion ticket to help those who need it get to and around the venue. Festival staff also receive basic access training, and can help you if required.
Q: How has the festival industry’s attitude to accessibility changed over the years?
A: There’s been a huge change across the industry. I used to write long lists of complaints after every festival about things like a lack of audio description for foreign-language performances. Now almost all drama performances are audio described, and there is much more support for blind and visually impaired audiences.
There has been a real shift from minimal effort to genuine inclusion.
Q: Are there any new developments this year?
A: Yes. The Access Pass now explicitly includes neurodivergent people. It always did in practice, but now it is stated clearly. We are also holding our first dementia-friendly concert, working with Alzheimer Scotland.
The concession discount for Deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent people has also increased from 30% to 50%, which is especially important since accessible seats are usually in expensive areas. Wheelchair users now pay the price of the cheapest seat, even if they are in a more expensive section.
Q: What message would you like to share with our readers?
A: The festival is doing an amazing job, but it knows accessibility is a journey and still a work in progress.
If you attend a local theatre or event and find access issues, speak up. Things only change when people ask for improvements.
Q: What has being part of the Access Panel meant to you?
A: It has been wonderful. I’ve felt useful and like I was helping a lot of people. It has been fantastic to see so many positive changes and to know that the feedback from audiences is helping to shape the festival.