Accessibility

Below you will find explanations on accessibility at Gessnerallee and information on how to contact us if you have any questions. Barrier-free access to the house, the website and the programme is important to us. That is why we are constantly working with the team, artists, graphic designers and programmers to improve accessibility at all levels.

We are aware that we have some work to do with regard to some accessibility requirements and that we have not (sufficiently) considered certain perspectives. We would therefore be delighted if you would like to give us feedback on your experiences with our accessibility offerings.

As some productions are in the process of being created when the programme is published or are even being performed by us for the first time, information on events is constantly updated on the corresponding event pages.

Contact

The agents for diversity, Ramona Unterberg and Manuel Gerst, can be contacted at the following e-mail address for questions about accessibility: barrierefreiheit@gessnerallee.ch. The emails are read regularly from Monday to Friday between 10 am and 4 pm. On event days, the mailbox is checked up to one hour before the start of the event.

Accessibility means

Audio descriptions make performances accessible for blind and visually impaired people. This involves describing events on stage and visual elements (such as costumes, set design, props, but also movements, gestures and facial expressions). A tactile tour for blind and visually impaired audiences is often offered before the performance.
We want to welcome people of all ages to the Gessnerallee. That's why we always offer events that are aimed at young, middle-aged and old people and at those who prefer to have a great theatre, dance, performance and music experience together.
Sign languages (e.g. Swiss German Sign Language, German Sign Language, International Sign) are used in some performances. Interpreters for Swiss German Sign Language and spoken language are also on site for selected events.
The Gessnerallee has a hearing system with an induction loop for people with hearing impairments. Performances where the hearing system is in operation are labelled accordingly.
Easy Read is a simplified version of a language and is primarily used for people with learning difficulties. But other people also benefit from Easy Read. For example, those who are learning German. Easy Read makes complex content understandable and accessible. The aim is to give all visitors an equal cultural experience and ensure that everyone can understand the plot and message of the play.
Relaxed Performance (RP for short) is an accessibility format that aims to welcome people for whom the usual conventions of performance events (such as sitting still for long periods in a confined space, unannounced strong sensory stimuli or interaction) represent a barrier and who are often excluded by them. They are aimed in particular at neurodivergent people (e.g. autistic people, people with Tourette's or ADHD) and are decisively co-developed by them.
Stepless access is guaranteed to all events, unless otherwise indicated. The rooms North Wing, Stall6, Hall (East/West), South Stage and Restaurant Riithalle are accessible to the public without steps. All rooms on the first floor of the building and individual rooms used by artists (such as cloakrooms) are not yet accessible without steps.
Wheelchair-accessible, gender-neutral toilets are located in the north wing and in the corridor between Stall6 and the hall. There is another wheelchair-accessible toilet in the ladies' toilet in the passageway of the Riithalle restaurant.
In some performances, surtitles are used for the spoken and, if necessary, translated text. Some plays work with descriptive surtitles that make other auditory elements (such as sounds or music) accessible through descriptions in addition to the spoken text.

Wheelchair spaces, beanbag seats and other seating options

At the Gessnerallee, wheelchair spaces and beanbag seats are available for all performances and concerts (e.g. for audience members with chronic pain).

These seats can be freely booked in advance in all price categories under ‘wheelchair seat’ or ‘beanbag seat’. Especially when performances are almost sold out, we ask you to leave the seats with beanbags free for people who are dependent on this form of accessibility.

If you require another alternative seating option (e.g. a chair with a cushion), please contact us in advance.

Accompanying persons for people with disabilities

People who accompany people with disabilities to a performance receive a free ticket. This can be booked in advance under the ticket category ‘No price’ (for accompanying persons for visitors with disabilities, persons with residence permits S, N, F and children under the age of 12).

Assistance dogs

Assistance dogs have free access to the theatre.

Content Notes

On the event pages, we draw attention to various potentially stressful content that can have a triggering effect on some people. Transparent communication about this allows potential visitors to decide for themselves whether a performance is accessible for them.

We are aware that some content without content notes can lead to those affected no longer feeling safe, as this content can have an offensive, disturbing, stressful or even retraumatising effect.

As there is a very wide range of potential triggers and it is not always possible to consider and include all of them, we would like to offer you the opportunity to enquire about specific triggers with us in advance.

We encourage you to contact us and ask whether certain incriminating content will be addressed, shown or performed in one of our performances. All you need to do is send a short email to barrierefreiheit@gessnerallee.ch, for example, which does not require any special wording and can consist of just one question.

Accessibility

Contact

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Accessibility means

Audio description

For all ages

Sign language

Inductive hearing system

Easy Read

Relaxed Performance