Accessibility Information
At Belfast International Arts Festival we firmly believe that access is an essential part of creating a truly inclusive arts festival.
We are committed to creating a welcoming, accessible environment for our D/deaf, disabled and neurodiverse artists, staff, volunteers and audience members, and are constantly working to ensure that BIAF is a festival for all.
We welcome feedback from our audiences and commit to continuously improving our practice.
You can download a plain text version of our 2024 Programme Brochure here
You can download our entire BIAF 2024 Accessibility Guide here
Carer/ Companion Ticket Policy
If you require assistance to enable your visit to an event, a ticket for a carer/companion is available at no extra charge.
This can be booked directly from our Box Office at Visit Belfast.
To book your ticket and discuss your needs, please telephone 028 9024 6609 or email ticketing@visitbelfast.com.
If you are booking through one of our partner venues, please contact their Box Office team directly to arrange a companion ticket.
Accessible Performances
Wheelchair Seats
Many of our festival venues have designated seats available for wheelchair users. Please contact the venue’s Box Office team directly when booking your ticket to request a wheelchair space.
North Star will have a viewing platform available to anyone requiring a seat, including those using mobility aids and wheelchair users. As spaces will be limited, please get in touch with our box office in advance to let them know you require access to the platform – ticketing@visitbelfast.com, 028 9024 6609.
For further information on accessibility for North Star, please visit solab.one/north-star-event-information.
BSL Interpreted Events
BSL interpreted events will feature a live signer positioned beside the stage.
Events with BSL interpretation in the 2024 festival are listed below:
- North Star | Telegraph Building | Thur 24 Oct | 7pm (doors)
- Aurora | The MAC | Tues 29 Oct | 7.45pm
- The Vanishing Elephant | Grand Opera House | Sat 2 Nov | 2.30pm
- The Tragedy of Richard III | Lyric Theatre | Thurs 7 Nov | 7.30pm
- Jon Savage | 2 Royal Avenue | Fri 8 Nov | 6pm
- Touch, Hear, Feel | 39 Corporation Street | Fri 1 Nov | 6.30pm
Limited capacity – seats have been held for D/deaf audience members. Please get in touch with our Box Office team to book.
Please contact The MAC or The Lyric’s Box Office teams directly for advice on which seats offer the best view of sign-language interpreters.
Audio Described Events
Audio description is delivered through a personal headset and provides a description of the performance as it occurs on-stage.
Audio Described events in the 2024 festival are listed below:
- The Piece With The Drums| The MAC | Sat 19 Oct | 7.45pm
- Wild | C.S. Lewis Square | Sat 26 Oct | 1pm & 3pm. (Description available via QR code. Please bring your own phone and headphones)
- The Vanishing Elephant | Grand Opera House | Fri 1 Nov | 7pm
- The Tragedy of Richard III | Lyric Theatre | Sun 3 Nov | 2.30pm
Captioned Events
A captioned event features a transcript of audio content displayed on a screen behind or beside speakers.
Captioned events in the 2024 festival are listed below:
- Monique Roffey, Kevin Jared Hosein & Safiya Sinclair | Crescent Arts Centre | Thurs 17 Oct | 6pm
- David Peace| Crescent Arts Centre | Thurs 17 Oct | 8pm
- Naomi Alderman | Lecture Theatre 1, Ulster University | Fri 18 Oct | 6pm
- The Tragedy of Richard III | Lyric Theatre | Wed 6 Nov | 7.30pm