Accessibility & Inclusion
Festival Inclusion
The Festival is committed to providing equal access to all participants. Supports such as calming areas, enhanced wayfinding, social stories, and inclusion kits equipped with noise- and light-dampening devices are available for use during your visit.
Feature Performance information includes sensory considerations. Please consider these as general guidelines as we recognize that parents and teachers are the best judges of what is most appropriate for their children and students.
Contact the Box Office with any questions or to confirm seating requests. Credentialed aides, attending with a child, will receive a complimentary ticket.
Please note The St. Albert Public Library will also be handing out inclusion kits.
Wheelchair Accessibility
The Festival’s feature performance and activities venues are all wheelchair accessible. Please contact the Box Office to request and confirm wheelchair seating. Wheelchair attendants will receive a complimentary ticket.
Note: Wheelchair seating is limited.
Supports Available
Festival Social Stories
Social Stories were devised as a tool to help individuals better understand the nuances of interpersonal communication so that they could interact in an effective and appropriate manner. They are available to help children prepare in advance for their Festival experience and what to expect while on site.
Stories available:
Inclusion Kits*
Inclusion kits will be available on loan during the Festival. Kits include one pair of noise-dampening headphones and one pair of sunglasses. Kits may be picked up for a one-day loan at the St. Albert Public Library.
Alternatively, kits will also be available for one-time use at all of the Feature Performance venues.
* Limited quantities are available
Calming Zones
The Festival is full of large crowds, surprises and sounds that may cause an individual to feel uncomfortable. A dedicated calming space is available should any of our patrons require a place to sit and regroup after being overstimulated. It will have low lighting, less noise and sensory supports inside (see map for exact location).
We also have plenty of green space that can act as calming zones should the outdoors be more suitable for you. Some areas to note are Lions Park (behind the St. Albert Curling Club), the grassy area north of the Children's Bridge, and Celebration Garden, located just east of The Healing Garden.
Staff Training
An important component of Festival Inclusion is staff training. Festival staff and key volunteers are participating in training sessions to raise their awareness of what it means to be inclusive, and to inform them about the services offered at Festival. We will also be incorporating this information into all our general volunteer training sessions. This will ensure all staff and volunteers can support our patrons during their Festival experience.
Last edited: January 16, 2024
