Accessibility
Festival accessibility is important to us! We welcome your input and look for ways we can improve. Contact us at info.hotcf@gmail.com with suggestions and for immediate assistance during events, look for Festival staff wearing Heart of the City Festival t-shirts.
Venue Accessibility
Gender neutral bathrooms are available at most venues and on-site staff can assist if you have questions or concerns.
Accessible seating is available at most Festival events. Please contact us at boxoffice.heartfestival@gmail.com to reserve priority seating for yourself and/or a support person.
The majority of Festival venues are wheelchair accessible. Please note, some historic buildings in the Downtown Eastside are not accessible by wheelchair and are only accessible by stairs.
Here are specific accessibility details for the Festival’s primary venues:
Carnegie Community Centre https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/carnegie-hours-location-contact.aspx
Simon Fraser University https://www.sfu.ca/production-event-services/visitor-info/accessibility.html
Russian Hall https://russianhall.weebly.com/faq.html
Economic Accessibility
All Are Welcome sliding scale tickets and free hospitality are available for most Festival events.
Programming Accessibility
Festival events are relaxed presentations that welcome everyone. There is a relaxed attitude to noise, movement, entrances and exits made by the audience.
Emotional Support
The Festival works to provide support at events which may trigger difficult emotional subject matter. Specific content cautions are noted in event descriptions.
Translation
We strive to provide language translation at designated events and dialogues. See event descriptions in the program guide and website for more details.
Assistance
Assistive Listening Devices are available at events held at Simon Fraser University and priority seating for all who would like support is available. Reach out to us at boxoffice.heartfestival@gmail.com to let us know how we can best assist.
Safety & Concerns
Heart of the City Festival staff are ready to help ensure everyone feels safe and welcome. If you witness or experience distress or discrimination, our event team can assist with de-escalation and accessing resources.
Please reach out to boxoffice.heartfestival@gmail.com if you would like to have a companion accompany you leaving an event.
Face masks and hand sanitizers are available at all events, and earplugs will be provided for select events.