We’ve put together this blog in two parts: the first half has information on how Fringe artists can reach wider audiences by making access enhancements to their shows, while the second half outlines some of the access support we provide for artists at the Fringe.
Broaden your audience with access enhancements
We want to help you find the largest possible audience for your Fringe show, including by supporting you to add enhancements to your show. This can make your work accessible to different audiences, resulting in more bums on seats!
BSL on Request project
Our BSL on Request partnership with Deaf Action is returning this year, following a successful pilot in 2024. The project aims to give deaf audiences more choice during the Fringe. In practice, a deaf audience member picks a performance and Deaf Action books the interpreter for it. If your performance is requested for BSL, Deaf Action will get in touch with you for more information. They will work with you and your venue to see if the request is viable, and if so set up practicalities such as lighting for the interpreter and reserved seating for the deaf audience member.
As a Fringe artist, you don’t need to take any immediate action for this to happen – we’re just letting you know in case Deaf Action get in touch!
Captioning
The Fringe Society is providing Summerhall, Scottish Storytelling Centre, Assembly with a captioning unit each. The Pleasance also has its own unit. If your show is at one of these venues and you want to explore captioning, get in touch with them directly to find out more.
If you’re at a different venue, we can facilitate professional captioners to use any LCD screen or projector to display captions. As an introduction, you can watch our webinar on the basics of captioning, then find out more about our 2025 captioning offer.
Audio description
We have two audio description units that are available for any Fringe artist to borrow, as well as a webinar on audio description from the Audio Description Association (ADA) Scotland.
We are pleased to offer support in providing audio described performances to a limited number of Fringe shows through the Keep it Fringe programme, and for a limited number of Fringe companies to access free support from ADA Scotland to source and book an audio describer. Find out more about our 2025 audio description offer.
Make sure to market your enhanced performance
Once you’ve made the commitment to make your show accessible, remember to let your audience know! Find out how to market your enhanced performance.
Other ways you can make your performances more accessible include adding a touch tour or a signed or relaxed performance.
Access support for Fringe artists
Meet the Media relaxed session
Meet the Media takes place in person at the Informatics Forum – it's an opportunity for you and hundreds of other Fringe artists to pitch your shows to journalists and editors covering the festival. Meet the Media can be extremely busy, so we also host a relaxed session beforehand from 12:00 – 12:45 for neurodiverse and disabled artists – you can find more information on our promotion, media and PR page.
A relaxed session involves:
- access to sensory items
- reduced noise from PA system
- seating
- a reduced number of attendees in the building
- Fringe staff on hand to help with any questions.
Fringe Central
At Fringe Central we offer support on all aspects of participating in the Fringe, as well as practical services for those visiting the Fringe such as access to a printer and free wifi.
Access events on Fringe Connect
Fringe Connect is our online platform for Fringe artists, where you can connect with other artists and industry, attend online events and more. We’ll be hosting more access-specific sessions in the run-up to August – keep an eye on your inbox for updates!
Quieter spaces
Sometimes you just need to find a quiet place to breathe, disconnect and recharge. We've put together this handy map of some quieter spots in the city.
Sensory resources
The Fringe can be an overwhelming place. We offer free sensory tools for anyone who needs them during August, which are available to pick up from Fringe Central.
Sensory resources can also be ordered in advance for delivery before the Fringe or picked up from the Fringe Box Office throughout August. These should be available for order in June so keep an eye on our accessibility page for the order form (we’ll also send an email update once they’re available).
Access bookings
Our access booking service is here to help anyone with an access requirement make the most of the Fringe. This may be useful for you, or you can pass this info on if you know someone who might find it useful.
For further access information, such as the locations of accessible and Changing Places loos in Edinburgh, check out our accessibility page.
