Welcome, I am Nina Reviers from the University of Antwerp, and I am one of your instructors in this unit. In this video, we provide you with an overview of all access services that you need to know as an accessibility manager or coordinator. In the past, access services were categorised on the basis of the different types of disability. Today, however, access services start from the needs of the general public. This is also the approach that we are going to take. We will distinguish between three types of support which correspond with three types of needs. The first two are: support for access to visual information in a performance or event and support for access to auditory information. The third type is any additional form of support not directly related to the two above-mentioned senses. The two main types of support, support for access to visual information and support for access to auditory information, each rely on the same three channels, even though they have different target groups. These three channels are the visual, the auditory and the tactile channel. But first things first, we begin with support type one: support for access to visual information. For each of the three channels used for this type of support, visual, auditory and tactile, one or more access services can be offered. Some of these access services are offered just before the performance or event, others are offered during. The visual channel can be used before the performance to provide information leaflets in large letters. The auditory channel can be used before the performance to provide audio introductions, and during the performance to provide audio descriptions and/or subtitles. Finally, the tactile channel can be used just before the performance to provide information leaflets in braille and to provide touch tours, usually including some form of auditory support as well. But what are all these access services exactly? We will give you a brief definition of the lesser known services. An audio introduction is an oral text read out before the performance which contains some essential information about it. An audio description is an oral text read during the performance which gives a verbal rendering of the visual information to which certain audiences might not have access, because they have a visual impairment, for instance, or difficulty focussing. Audio subtitles are provided during the performance and give an aural reading of subtitles or surtitles. During touch tours before the performance, the audience can touch props and furniture in order to get acquainted with the set. To conclude this section, we look at the people and technologies used to provide these six services. The professional who provides audio introductions, audio descriptions, audio subtitling, and also auditory support for touch tours is called the audio describer. This is usually a translator or language expert with a specialization in audiovisual translation and accessibility. As far as the provision of information leaflets in braille or large letters is concerned, this is the responsibility of professionals with a background in text processing. Now, we continue with support for access to auditory information. Just like for type one, for each of the three channels, visual, auditory and tactile, one or more access services can be offered. Some can be offered just before the performance, some can be offered during. The visual channel can be used before the performance to provide sign language interpreting in a general introduction. During the performance itself, the visual channel can also be used for sign language interpreting, for surtitles, subtitles and surtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing. The auditory channel can be used during the performance to provide a hearing loop. Finally, the tactile channel can be used during the performance to provide vibrating chairs. But again, what are all these services exactly? Sign language interpreting renders verbal information through sign language, using hand signs, gestures and facial expressions. Surtitles provide a written rendering of spoken texts, in the case of surtitles and subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing. The hearing loop or induction loop is a sound system for people with hearing aids, which amplifies the sound coming from the stage. The vibrating chairs allow deaf or hard of hearing people to feel music through vibrations. To conclude, we look at the people and technologies used to provide these six services. The professional who provides sign language interpreting, both before and during the performance, is a sign language interpreter. The professional providing surtitles and subtitles is a subtitler specialized in audiovisual translation. As far as the provision of hearing loops and vibrating chairs is concerned, these are devices provided by specialized companies. In case a performance is meant for an international public, it may be necessary to translate most if not all of the above services interlingually, from one language into the language of your region or country. Finally, some people cannot easily process a multitude of information all at once. They may benefit from additional materials that improve accessibility. These may either replace the services I have already mentioned or they can be offered in addition to them. For instance, just before the performance, audiences may receive easy-to-read materials. The performance itself is then what is usually called "relaxed". This means that it is adapted to the audience's specific needs. This adaptation can take different forms depending on the types of audiences you want to welcome in your venue. For the provision of interlingual translations you need professional translators. For the creation of relaxed performances, you need specialized technical staff as well as a specialized and experienced artistic team. To sum up, it is clear that you have a lot of services at your disposal for making your event or performance more accessible. This table provides a complete overview of the three support types that can be used before and during the performance, as discussed in this video. In what follows next in this unit, different instructors will discuss each of these services in much greater detail.
