Accessibility
Hedgerow Theatre strives to be a welcoming space for all individuals.
Explore our accessible services and programs for opportunities that help enhance your enjoyment of live theatre at Hedgerow. We are happy to hear from you. If you have questions or accommodation needs and are not sure what options may be best for you, please let us know. Contact us via email at company@hedgerowtheatre.org or by phone at 610-565-4211. We look forward to seeing you soon.
Transportation.
DELCO Community Transit provides shared-ride transportation service to people with disabilities. Shared-ride paratransit service is available to individuals with a disability, who do not have another source of transportation, at reduced fares. Apply to ride or find a ride here.
NEW! Watch Word Live real-time captioning with smart glasses
Enjoy greater flexibility with captioning through smart glasses and a revolutionary program that allows individual customization - including where the captions appear in your field of vision. Hedgerow will make use of newly improved smart glasses that are also lighter in weight and wearable over standard eyeglasses. Patrons will experience the spoken text and described sound cues of a given production from the comfort of whatever seat they’d like for any performance beginning the second week of each performance run. Glasses inventory is limited., so we ask patrons to reserve glasses in advance by emailing or calling the box office.
WatchWord Live has been created by a UK company, Built For Good, to improve theatre accessibility for those within the hearing loss community. The Built For Good team has been working together since 2018 to create an accurate, responsive, automated and always-on closed captioning system for theatre.
We make use of smart glasses to give audience members line-of-sight accessibility, enabling them to focus on what’s happening on stage rather than having to look away from the stage to read the captions. While the captions are prepared by humans so they mirror the actors’ delivery, WatchWord Live uses technology and live audio to automate the delivery of captions at each show.
Feel free to contact us for any accessibility accommodation questions you may have at (610) 565-4211 or company@hedgerowtheatre.org
Open Caption Performances
Open Caption performances feature an LED screen that displays the spoken dialogue and descriptions of sound effects of a performance live. Captioning is best viewed from Rows H through K, seats 1-7. Please contact the box office with questions about visibility for open captioning.
Visit individual production pages for dates and times of upcoming Open Caption Performances.
Feel free to contact us for any accessibility accommodation questions you may have at (610) 565-4211 or company@hedgerowtheatre.org
Relaxed Performances
Relaxed Performances provide a welcoming environment that lets all patrons express themselves freely, without judgment or inhibition. These live theatre experiences invite and encourage individuals with autism, ADD, ADHD, dementia, sensory sensitivities, and anyone who would appreciate a more relaxed theatre-going environment to enjoy the performance in our “shush-free” zone.
Performance adjustments include: Freedom to talk, vocalize, leave seats, enter and exit the theatre, as needed, during the performance as needed
We invite you to bring noise-cancelling headphones, fidget/handheld manipulatives or anything else you may need to ensure maximum comfort and safety.
Resources available before and during the performance:
A quiet area will be provided in the theatre lobby to relax as needed
Companion restroom
Hedgerow Theatre staff, who have been trained to be inviting and accommodating to individuals' needs, will be available throughout the theatre and the lobby
Pre-show preparation materials will be available online as the performance date approaches to help prepare all attendees for the experience of visiting Hedgerow Theatre and attending these performances. You may wish to review these sample pre-production guides for Robin & Me: My Little Spark of Madness, The Philly Fan or The New Electric Ballroom. Patrons will receive a pre-performance guide directly before the performance via email.
Visit individual production pages for dates and times of upcoming Relaxed Performances.
Feel free to contact us for any accessibility accommodation questions you may have at (610) 565-4211 or company@hedgerowtheatre.org
Audio Described Performances
Audio Described performances include a live audio commentary describing the visual elements of the production, which can benefit individuals who are blind or have low vision. Individual headsets will be provided. A guided sensory tour will be available 45 minutes prior to curtain on the day of a performance which includes a hands-on introduction for patrons to handle certain key props and to hear actor voices in advance.
*To ensure a reservation, please contact the box office with your interest for the sensory tour and/or to reserve a complimentary headset for audio-description. Feel free to contact us for any accessibility accommodation questions you may have at (610) 565-4211 or company@hedgerowtheatre.org
Click here for an interview with audio-describer, Nicole Sardella, for more information on this accommodation service.
Sensory Tour (Pre-show)
An opportunity for patrons to experience key props, costume pieces, and scenery from a production in close proximity before the performance gets underway. Sensory tours are often facilitated by an audio-describer, who will describe the visual information pertaining to a given item.
Visit individual production pages for dates and times of upcoming Sensory Tours, which are often scheduled before Relaxed Performances and Audio Described Performances.
Feel free to contact us for any accessibility accommodation questions you may have at (610) 565-4211 or company@hedgerowtheatre.org
American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreted Performances
ASL Interpreted performances feature two ASL interpreters performing on one side of the theatre stage. Visit individual production pages for dates and times of upcoming ASL Interpreted Performances. Contact us for preferable seating information and accessibility accommodation questions you may have at (610) 565-4211 or company@hedgerowtheatre.org.
