Ticketing Policies to Enhance Accessibility of Arts Performances for Persons with Disabilities
Ministry of Culture, Community and YouthSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns MP Mr Ong Hua Han’s inquiry on developing equitable ticketing policies and enhancing arts accessibility for wheelchair users and persons with disabilities (PwDs). Minister Edwin Tong Chun Fai responded that cultural institutions offer concessions for PwDs and their companions, noting a 33% increase in community take-up from 2022 to 2023. He highlighted the introduction of accessibility features like audio descriptions and "relaxed performances" for sensory needs, alongside capability building by the National Arts Council and National Heritage Board. The Ministry also supports inclusive programming through partnerships with SG Enable and platforms such as the Arts and Disability Forum to share best practices on sector inclusivity. Furthermore, upstream accessibility is fostered through arts education in Special Education schools via the Artist-in-School Scheme and the provision of Tote Board Arts Grant subsidies.
Transcript
41 Mr Ong Hua Han asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth how is the Ministry working with ticket providers and event organisers to develop equitable ticketing policies to enhance accessibility of arts performances and concerts for wheelchair users and persons with disabilities.
Mr Edwin Tong Chun Fai: We are committed to enhancing the accessibility of arts performances and concerts for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
While event organisers and concert promoters have their own ticketing policies, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth's (MCCY’s) cultural institutions support accessibility to arts programmes by offering ticket concessions to PwDs, including wheelchair users.
For example, all Esplanade Presents programmes that offer concessions have ticket concessions for PwDs, which can also be used by one accompanying companion. Take-up among our PwD community increased by 33% from 2022 to 2023.
Arts groups, such as the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, also offer discounted tickets for PwDs.
Apart from ticket concessions, our cultural institutions work closely with community partners like SG Enable to develop and introduce inclusive programming for PwDs. This includes introducing more accessibility features during performances, such as audio description, captioning and sign language interpretation. A recent example is the mini concert staged by the Singapore Chinese Orchestra on 26 June 2024 at the National Gallery Singapore for the visually impaired from the Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped.
The Esplanade also offers “relaxed performances” as part of its PLAYtime! series of theatre productions for children. These performances feature adjusted lighting and sound levels, ensuring visitors with sensory needs can thoroughly enjoy the experience.
These initiatives are complemented by the ongoing capability development efforts of the National Arts Council (NAC) and National Heritage Board (NHB) among the arts and cultural organisations, museums, practitioners and volunteers to strengthen inclusive programming.
Examples include the Arts and Disability Forum, jointly organised by NAC and non-profit organisation ART:DIS, and the Accessibility and Inclusion Month, organised by NHB for the Museum Roundtable members. Both platforms share best practices on access and inclusivity in the arts and heritage sector.
To expand access to quality arts experiences for PwDs upstream, NAC also supports arts education efforts in Special Education schools through its Artist-in-School Scheme and the Tote Board Arts Grant subsidy.