Accessible PuSh
Providing transformative performing arts experiences to as broad an audience as possible is a PuSh core value. We remove physical, social and financial barriers wherever possible to ensure everyone has an opportunity to experience the performing arts.
Each year, we assess the unique offerings of the Festival programming with accessibility in mind. Positioning ourselves as a bridge between audiences and the artists, we organize access measures such as ASL-interpretation and audio description to expand the scope of who feels welcome at our Festival. For each performance, whether or not access measures are in place, we strive to communicate clearly about access information so that patrons can confidently choose to attend performances knowing their access needs will be met. Finally, PuSh staff, volunteers, and partners are welcomed to an annual accessibility training to increase our collective capacity to meet each other and our patrons with sensitivity and respect.
We recognize arts accessibility as an ongoing and imperfect process, and know that the very thing that makes a show accessible for one person may present a barrier for someone else. We seek joy in the complexity of this work as we work to learn about and strive to meet the access needs of our patrons, staff, volunteers, partners and Festival artists. The input of consultants with lived experience is invaluable as we work to create a more accessible Festival.
Bookings, Feedback & Inquiries
For feedback, more information, or to discuss your specific needs, please reach out to our Accessible PuSh Coordinator at 604-605-8284 x 204 or access@pushfestival.ca. For ticket bookings, please contact Audience Services.
On this page
- ASL Festival Welcome
- Access Guides
- Audio Description
- ASL-Interpretation
- Surtitles, Captions & LiveScrypt Transcription
- Descriptive Introductions
- Almost Live
- Vlogs
- Relaxed Performances & Relaxed Environments
- Venue Access Guides
- Remote Access
- Accessible Ticketing
- Support Persons & Guides
- Gender Inclusivity
ASL Festival Welcome
Access Guides
Access guides contain information about what to expect at a performance, including detailed content and technical warnings, as well as more information about access measures in place for that show. These screen-reader accessible pdfs will be located under the accessibility tab of each show page.
Audio Description
Audio description provides patrons with real-time descriptions of visual elements of the performance via an earpiece. PuSh partners with VocalEye to support audio-described performances. For more information about VocalEye, visit vocaleye.ca.
The 2026 Festival includes the following performances with Audio Description:
Remember that time we met in the future? (Jan 29)
Reach out to VocalEye or to access@pushfestival.ca to reserve a headset for an audio-described performance.
ASL-Interpretation
Registered ASL-interpreters provide interpretation at performances. ASL-interpretation can be requested at non-performance festival events.
The 2026 Festival will include an ASL-interpretation at TESTO on Feb 7.
To reserve a seat with optimal sightlines, or to request ASL-interpretation at a related Festival event, contact access@pushfestival.ca.
Surtitles, Captions & LiveScrypt Transcription
Performances that use spoken languages other than English often have surtitles. This can make the show accessible to Deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons, especially when offered in combination with a descriptive introduction.
We use the [ST] tag to indicate shows with surtitles. When the surtitles include descriptions of sound, and not just spoken language, we say the show has open captions [OC].
For non-performance festival events, including post-show talkbacks, we can often provide a real-time AI-generated transcript of the conversation, accessible via patrons’ smartphones. Contact access@pushfestival.ca to request access to this stream.
The 2026 Festival includes the following shows with surtitles:
La utopía de la mariposa / TIERRA
Eight Short Compositions from the Lives of Ukrainians for a Western Audience
In addition to surtitles, captions will be provided at:
Descriptive Introductions
Some performances without ASL-interpretation, captions, or live description are still accessible to Deaf and hard-of-hearing or blind and low-vision audiences because they are either visual- or audio-dominant. In these cases, we use the [DHH] or [BLV] tags. For these shows, we provide a written introduction that describes the elements that are essential to appreciate or follow the performance. These introductions are written by or with artists specifically for audience members who are Deaf, hard of hearing, blind or live with vision loss.
Introductions can be downloaded from the show page directly, and a printed version will be at the venue’s box office the night of the performance.
The 2026 Festival includes the following highly visual, no speaking DHH-friendly shows:
Catching Up to the Future of Our Past
Remember that time we met in the future?
The 2026 Festival includes the following audio dominant, BLV-friendly shows:
Rainbow Chan Live at the Dream Factory
Almost Live
PuSh offers a BLV-friendly Festival Preview, hosted by VocalEye on Zoom. This program both highlights our low-vision accessible programming in a low-vision accessible format, and provides remote access to the Festival to blind and low-vision audience members who may not be able to access our programming in-person.
The 2026 Festival Almost Live event will take place on Jan 14.
Visit vocaleye.ca for more information.
Vlogs
PuSh creates ASL vlogs to communicate about DHH friendly Festival programming.
Stay tuned for the 2026 Festival vlogs.
Relaxed Performances & Relaxed Environments
Relaxed Performances challenge traditional theatre etiquette, instead inviting the audience to react, fidget, and make noise as they please. Audience members can also choose to exit and re-enter the theatre, and there is a comfortable place for them to go, often with a video feed of the performance, should they want a break from being inside the theatre. Relaxed Performances feature adjusted sound and lighting plans, ensuring the audience is never in total darkness, and that the sound and light levels are never too intense. Finally, Relaxed Performances also include introductions and visual stories, which provide audience members with information about the performers, the sets, and what to expect in advance.
It is often not possible to present Relaxed Performances of Festival shows. However, shows often fit many, but not all, of the characteristics of a Relaxed Performance. The best way to learn about a particular show is to consult its access guide, or to reach out directly to access@pushfestival.ca for more information.
When a show cannot be adjusted to be totally sensory friendly, but still invites audience members to react, fidget, make noise, exit and re-enter as they please, we say that it is being presented in a Relaxed Environment, and use the [RE] tag.
The 2026 Festival will present SKIN in a Relaxed Environment on Feb 4.
Venue Access Guides
PuSh takes place at a variety of venues around Greater Vancouver. We create a venue access guide for each of our partner venues to clearly present all relevant information. These guides can be found under the venue tab of our show pages, sometimes accompanied by access audits, venue visual stories, and the venue’s own website information when available.
Remote Access
PuSh is pleased to present digital access to a selection of performances, ensuring access to art to those who may not be able to make it to our venues.
The 2026 Festival includes the following online offerings:
La utopía de la mariposa / TIERRA
Accessible Ticketing
At PuSh, we recognize the many different barriers to attending the festival, and everyone in Vancouver deserves access to great art. We have a policy that no one is turned away for lack of funds. We take action towards equity by providing hundreds of free Community Tickets to audiences facing financial barriers every year. If you would like to access a free community ticket, please email tickets@pushfestival.ca. We invite you to contact us as soon as possible to ensure we book you in before a performance sells out.
Support Persons & Guides
Need support to be able to attend? Your support person pays no admission. You can also request support from a trained volunteer who will meet you at a nearby transit stop or at the theatre.
To request a companion ticket, a sighted guide or support from a volunteer, please contact access@pushfestival.ca.
Gender Inclusivity
PuSh values the inclusion of systemically underrepresented sexual and gender minorities. We aim to create a gender-inclusive environment wherever possible, and information about washrooms is available in each venue’s access guide.