Services for Delegates: Access
About the Venue / Travel Information / Access / Accommodation

Information for disabled delegates

We welcome disabled delegates to the x.trax Showcase and will do our best to meet your access requirements. Please note the following and contact us if we can be of assistance.

Registering for the showcase

You can register for the xtrax showcase online.

The registration form is available in large print formats that can be downloaded, completed and sent to xtrax by post, fax or email. If you would prefer a member of the Xtrax staff to complete the registration form over the phone please contact our office on: Tel: 0161 227 8383 Fax: 0161 342 0741 Email: info@xtrax.org.uk

We regret that we do not use text phone.

Delegate Information

Most information about the showcase programme including details of the artists performing, the timetable, hotel information and maps can be found on the X.trax website. This information is available in large print which we can email or post within 5 days or less of your request; we will try to provide other alternative formats as quickly as possible on request.

On arrival at the showcase all delegates are provided with a book containing information about all the artists presenting work and a list of other delegates. If you would like a large print or alternative format of this document please contact us in advance.

Getting there

The showcase performances take place in Platt Fields Park (Wilmslow Rd, Fallowfield, Manchester). The park is accessible by public transport using buses 41, 42, 43, 44, 48, 142, 143. From the bus stop at Platt Fields Park the festival area is signposted and approximately 750 yards across a hard, pebbled concrete surface. If you are arriving by public transport and would like advice or assistance to get to the Festival Centre please contact the x.trax office prior to the showcase.

A limited number of car parking spaces can be made available in the Park for delegates with mobility impairments. The car park is approximately 30 - 50 yards from the festival centre. Please book your Car Park place 2 weeks prior to the event to ensure availability - by Friday 11 May.

Taxis can drop disabled delegates at the Car Park area that is accessed via Langley Road. This is then approximately 30 - 50 yards from the Festival Centre. Please contact the office if you require someone to meet you at the drop off point.

Delegate Facilities

Accessible toilets will be located around the site and close to the festival centre.

The festival centre marquee is open to all registered delegates. The marquee will have level access and will be staffed by stewards during performance times.

Post showcase social events will be held in the Contact Theatre that has level access and disabled toilets.

Access to Showcase performances

The performances take place at various locations around the park which has a variety of surfaces including flat, uneven and sloping surfaces, and some hard surfaces. In wet weather the grassy surfaces may become slippery or muddy. Many of the performances are mobile performances that can be enjoyed from a single static vantage point. If you have specific access requirements please contact Xtrax before the showcase and we will do our best to help. The festival is open to the general public as well as registered delegates. We will provide priority vantage points for disabled delegates and helpers - please inform us if you would like us to guarantee your viewing areas.

BSL

There will be a BSL speaking steward available in the festival centre for BSL speakers - please indicate that you require a BSL interpreter when you register

Most of the performances are highly visual and many do not contain any text, although many use live or recorded music. We regret that we are unable to provide BSL interpretation for the shows that do use text.

Induction Loops

As the performances all take place outside we are unable to provide induction loops, however if you need listening assistance please get in touch to discuss your requirements and we will try to help.

We are exploring ways in which we can improve access at our events for deaf and disabled audiences and we hope to bring some BSL interpreted and audio described performances to our showcase next year. We welcome your feedback and comments.

Charging Electric Wheelchairs

If you know that you will need to charge your electric wheelchair at the festival, if possible please contact us beforehand to make arrangements so that we can ensure that you are not kept waiting.

You can download our access statement as a Word Document here