Resources and Access
DAT Fest 2024 is hosted at Te Auaha in Wellington city centre.
We are committed to accessibility. You can find information about venues and general accessibility on this page.
You can also read DAT Fest's Kaupapa and Shared Expectations on a separate page.
Venues
Te Auaha
Te Auaha is home to an incredible creative school that houses students studying Theatre, Film, Photography, and The Arts and is now the home to DAT Fest 2024.
DAT Fest will be using Te Auaha's Tapere Iti theatre for shows and workshops. We will also be taking over the building's 4th floor for the festival. We will have multiple professional spaces for workshops, classes, rehearsals, and even the space to hang out and chill.
For more information on Te Auaha's accessibility, please see their Parking & Accessibility page.
Accessibility
Here is some general accessibility information and information for specific needs. For venue info, please see the "Venues" section above. If you need other help, please email access.datfest@gmail.com.
All Performances
You are welcome to stim, wriggle, fidget, move around if you need. Please keep off stage if you can, but otherwise you are welcome to stand up and move about if you need. If you think you might want to stand up, we recommend that you grab a free-standing seat in the front row, which will make it easier for you. Let us know if you would like help and we can help find right seat for you.
It should go without saying, but all Assistance Dogs are welcome!!! Support people are also welcome but please book a ticket for them so we have a chair available. You can use a ‘free’ option on the sliding scale when booking for your support person.
Wellbeing Wingpeople are available to help you. They will be wearing beads to provide another sensory cue to identify them.
Relaxed Performances
We ask you to come in quietly and stay quiet in the foyer before and after, to provide a safe sensory experience for your fellow theatre goers. We also ask if you can please ‘click’ rather than clap, and, if there is audience interaction, please whisper rather than shout. If you would like to enter the auditorium early to get out of the crowd, please ask and we can let you in.
Relaxed performances will have reduced volume/soft auditorium lighting. Stim toys will be available.
Companions
There is an option to book a companion ticket for free. Anyone who needs a companion is welcome to use this option, you don’t have to prove or explain why you need to bring a companion with you. If you need a free companion ticket, then please book one.
Vision
AD (Audio Description) is provided by our community Audio Describers, trained and advised by blind people.
For shows the AD is delivered through radio transmitters which have a headphone jack. You can bring your own headphones, or use the single over-ear headphone provided.
For workshops with AD, the community Audio Describer will sit with you and ensure you have access to visual information.
Any event that does not have AD is expected to be accessible to blind and low vision audiences and participants without it.
To book AD shows
Book normally, there is no need to book a specific AD ticket. If there is no touch tour, please arrive 20 mins before the show starts for the intro and to get set up with AD equipment.
If you need a companion, you can book their ticket at the same time, just select the free companion option for their ticket.
Hearing
Please check this website and Facebook for updates on NZSL. We have NZSL summaries of the festival and programme.
Transport
Accessible Shuttle
Because there aren't many parks near Te Auaha, we will be running a free shuttle to and from the Railway Station, Te Papa carpark and certain locations in Wellington City and the Hutt. This shuttle is a 8 seat, 2 wheelchair, van with a hoist (link to description of the van). The shuttle will drop you off 30 minutes before events and pick you up 15 minutes after events.
We cannot guarantee shuttle rides beyond Wellington Central. We may be able to offer rides at the beginning and the end of the day to the Hutt, but this is not guaranteed.
To book a space on this shuttle, please fill out the DAT Fest Shuttle Booking Form.
Reimbursing Transport Costs
If you need help getting to and from DAT Fest from other Wellington locations, we can pay your public transport, petrol and parking costs. Please contact access@datfest.gmail.com for help with getting your transport costs reimbursed.