BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT ACCESSIBILITY AT GATEWAY
The following provides some basic information about accessibility at Gateway Theatre for individuals attending or participating in one of our offerings. Detailed accessibility info can be found here.
PARKING
If you are driving to Gateway, there is parking around our building. The main lot south of the theatre has four (4) accessible parking spaces available. There are two (2) additional spaces directly outside the Academy entrance on the east side of the building. Please note that pay stations in the parking lot are on raised curbs that do not have a ramp for access.
BUILDING ENTRYWAYS
There are two power-operated doors to access Gateway, including at the entrance marked “Administration” and at the set of doors closest to our box office on the ground floor lobby side.
ELEVATOR
There is a single elevator that provides access to the 2nd and 3rd floors. The elevator is located in the ground floor lobby near the box office. Access to the 2nd and 3rd floors can otherwise be done by climbing stairs from the main lobby.
ACCESSIBLE WASHROOMS
There are two multi-user washrooms on the ground floor in the short hallways between the ground floor lobby and the Studios. Each washroom has a single accessible stall in it. A single-user accessible washroom is available on the 2nd floor, to the right of the 2nd floor lobby concession.
ACCESSIBLE SEATING
Gateway’s MainStage theatre includes eight (8) spaces designated as seating for wheelchair users. There are four spaces in the front row Orchestra Left accessible via the ground floor entrance, and four spaces in the back row Orchestra Right accessible from the 2nd floor lobby. In its typical setup, Studio B has two (2) spaces designated as seating for wheelchair users. (NOTE: Studio B is sometimes rearranged depending on the event, so please contact Box Office if you are unsure whether designated seating will be available.)
HEARING ASSIST
Gateway has a WilliamsSound FM+ hearing assist system available to support hard of hearing patrons attending events in the MainStage theatre. FM receivers and ear buds are available for general use, but the system also has compatibility with Bluetooth via a dedicated WiFi channel, as well as compatibility with T-coil with the use of an induction neckloop. Please contact Box Office for more information.
LIVE AUDIO DESCRIPTION WITH VOCALEYE
“Audio Description” or “Live Description” refers to descriptions of the visual elements of a performance or event that are spoken live and in real-time to listeners with vision loss.
VocalEye’s described performances begin ten minutes before the show, with a brief introduction to the characters, costumes and locations. Once the show begins, important visual details and physical actions are described between the lines of dialogue. All descriptions are voiced live and in real-time by a trained Describer.
Only VocalEye users can hear the description through a small handheld receiver and single earpiece that can be worn on either ear. Equipment can be picked up from the VocalEye table in the lobby up to one hour before the show starts. Users are welcome to bring their own earbuds or portable headphones.
Learn more about Live Audio Description at Gateway
FINANCIAL ACCESS
Gateway accepts the Easter Seals Access2 Card, providing a free companion ticket for card holders. We also regularly offer Pay What You Will preview nights for our productions. Students can also get “Student Rush Tickets” at 30-60% off the regular price. Student Rush tickets can only be purchased on the same day of the performance online, by phone or at the door. Student Rush tickets are only applicable to students in secondary and post-secondary institutions. Students must show valid ID from an accredited educational institution when presenting their ticket.
Learn more about Pay-What-You-Will
FOR WORKERS
If you would like information about the accessibility for workers at Gateway Theatre, please contact either the Administrator, Ashley Bate at abate@gatewaytheatre.com or 604-247-4984, or the staff member with whom you are working.
VISUAL STORY
View our Visual Story – How to Get Here