Accessibility
We want many people to be able to visit our festival. For this reason, there are various offers for a more accessible festival environment. You can find the relevant performances on using the programme filter, where you can filter for ‘Sign Language’, for example.
If you have any questions about accessibility, please contact us.
E-mail: checkin@auawirleben.ch
Phone: +41 77 484 71 37 / in GE, EN, PL, SP, IT, FR
Access Friends
Access Friends greet the audience at the venues and are available before, during and after the performances. They are recognisable by their purple waistcoats. Questions about accessibility can be put directly to the Access Friends.
Sign Language Interpretation
For Deaf people and people with hearing disabilities, some performances are translated into Swiss German Sign Language (DSGS).
You can find all the productions with DSGS here.
Surtitles etc.
Many of the performances are subtitled in German and English. This makes performances more accessible to hard-of-hearing or deaf audience members. Thanks to the subtitles, performances in languages such as Portuguese or Polish are also linguistically accessible to a broad Bernese audience.
You can find all the productions with surtitles here.
For people with mobility disabilities
All venues except Viktoria Fire Station are accessible to people with mobility impairments and have accessible toilets. You can find details about the spatial conditions in the accessibility section for each production.
Relaxed Performances
Some performances are Relaxed Performances. The conditions of the event are adapted and the audience is encouraged to experience the performances in a way that is comfortable for them. Movement and noise in the audience are expressly permitted. You can take a break at any time, leave the auditorium and come back again. You can sit, lie down on beanbags or change seats during the performance. Please note that Relaxed Performances focus on adapting the environment, not the content of the performance. Please check the content notes and sensory stimulus information for details.
Here you can find all Relaxed Performances.
Bean bags
Alternative seating options (bean bags, cushions, etc.) are available for many performances. Bean bags can be reserved when purchasing tickets. Not all performances with bean bags are relaxed performances.
Easy Read
There is a Easy Read section for each production on the website. These short texts are for anyone who finds complex texts difficult to read and understand.
Content notes
As each person has their own, constantly changing story, the experience is always perceived in a new and individual way. With the content notes, we want to ensure that you feel well prepared and comfortable for the performances. We provide you with content notes for productions without anticipating the plot. We are aware that what may be a trigger for one person may not be the same for another. What is discussed in the productions can be upsetting or retraumatising and trigger bad feelings. Our aim is to provide content guidance that will enable you to choose the productions that best suit your personal story. Auawirleben aims to create a supportive and inclusive space where you can fully engage with our performances through our content information, or choose not to, as is right for you. We publish content notes in the section Accessibility for all our performances.
Sensory Triggers
Some productions contain sensory elements that may be intense or overwhelming for some audience members. Sensory information helps you prepare for a performance by highlighting elements that may affect your comfort or experience. We provide sensory information in the accessibility section for each production.
Soli Ticket
Solidarity tickets give people whose financial situation does not allow them to cover the cost of admission to the festival. Solidarity tickets are donated by other audience members. When you purchase your tickets (online or at the festival center Lehrer*zimmer), if you pay extra for a solidarity ticket (CHF 18.-), you will enable someone on a low income to attend the festival. We would like to express our sincere thanks to all donors.
Here you find all the events that are for free.
If you would like to take advantage of a solidarity ticket, simply call +41 77 484 71 37 or send an email to checkin@auawirleben.ch
Special Check-In
If, for any reason, you would like to avoid the crowded foyer, need a specific seat, require assistance due to a mobility disabilities or would like to be picked up at the bus station, please contact us in advance (checkin@auawirleben.ch) or contact the Access Friends at the venues on site. We will provide you with the best possible support and cater to your needs.
Social Stories
Social stories are used as a tool to prepare people for a public event such as a theatre performance. In our social stories for each performance, you will find a detailed description of what to expect at the venue.