Accessibility

Our approach

We are working on improving our accessibility, both on our homepage and for the festival programme and on-site visits.

General information and an overview of accessibility measures at the festival can be found on this page. We hope that sorting all event information according to the categories ‘Movement", ‘Sight’, ‘Hearing’ as well as ‘Comprehension+Perception’ provides a good overview. This is a simplified representation and we can only proactively respond to examples from each feature group. If you have any specific questions, please contact us.

On the event pages, we successively compile those accessibility details that are relevant for this specific event. For some events content notes and notes on sensory stimuli are also available. Hopefully this will enable you to make an individual assessment of whether you would like to attend the event. Specific information is not available for all events. You are welcome to contact us if you are planning your visit and have questions about parts of the programme or festival procedures.

Planning your visit

Contact

We would like to cater for individual requirements for a festival visit (seating, early boarding, pick-up from public transport, etc.) as best we can.

As a festival team, we have irregular working hours, so our availability is not guaranteed at fixed office hours:

• E-Mail: barrierefreiheit@impulsefestival.de
• Telefon: +49 (0) 202 698 27 280 (You’ll reach an answering machine to arrange a return call. Please leave your name, telephone number and your request.)

Tickets

For festival tickets, you may choose to pay the reduced price at your discretion, and entry is free for one accompanying person. To receive a free ticket for an accompanying guest, you can use the code BEGLEITUNG when booking. Please decide for yourself which price you are able and willing to pay.

Assistance on site/pick-up service

If you require a pick-up service from the nearest public transport stop or car park, please contact us before your visit at the festival.

Digital Accessibility

We have not currently implemented any adaptation options for contrast, font size and similar in our homepage structure. If the default settings are not sufficient for you, we ask that you, as a visitor to our homepage, use the tools that already work best for you. You can use your own screen reader and other tools or use the operating aids of your standard browser (zoom, contrast, read-aloud function). If there are any problems with the display or conflicts when using these tools, please let us know.

The contents of the homepage are continuously updated and can be changed. We endeavour to make all content available in two senses and to provide alternative texts or transcriptions.

So far, we have not been able to develop any content in easy or simple language, and only a few materials are available in sign language.

For our social media presence, we have been able to produce only a limited amount of content in sign language.

To further work on impoving our accessibility we would be delighted to receive your feedback. Please contact us if we have forgotten anything or if you have any questions or comments.

Festival venues

The structural accessibility for wheelchair users and people with walking aids is different for each festival venue. In the venue overview, we have compiled brief information on accessibility (ground level, lifts, WC) as well as distances to the car park and public transport.

When purchasing your ticket, please let us know if you use a wheelchair. This helps us both to accommodate your needs and to take into account any restrictions (e.g., fire safety) imposed by the venue.

If you are missing any information or are unsure, please contact us in advance.

Audience situation

At most events there is unallocated Seating. You have free choice of seats.

For most performances, we offer beanbag and wheelchair-accessible seating.

Detailed information will be published here as soon as possible. If you have specific seating requirements, please indicate them when purchasing your ticket – we will then do our best to accommodate them on site.

In deviation from this, there are different audience situations at the following events in particular:

Dates in the festival

Do 04.06.26 17:00 + Fr 05.06.26 21:00, Dávid Koronczi "BRUCHOVRAVY", FFT Düsseldorf, Foyer

This is a performance where food and drinks are served. There are various seating options in the space (chairs, sofa, stools, beanbags), and it is possible to move around the room during the performance. Mobility with a wheelchair may be limited due to the layout of the space.

Sa 06.06. 16:00 Tanja Krone & Team "Songs of (In)Security", tanzhaus nrw, Düsseldorf

This performance is unseated. A few seating options will be available.

Sa 06.06. 18:00 + So 07.06. 17:00 Veza Fernández "Chantal, the body is a text longing for perspective", tanzhaus nrw, Düsseldorf

For this performance, the audience is seated in a square around the stage in rows of chairs, and may also lie or sit partially on mats or beanbags with satin covers.

Mi 10.06. 20:30 Julie Flierl & Camille O "tIED tO tONES, Oval Office, Schauspielhaus Bochum

During the first, longer part of the show, the audience is seated facing the stage. In the second, shorter part, audience members are invited to enter the performance space and play the spatial harp together with the performers.

Fr 12. 06. 15:00 Non-binary House of Oberschlesien "Dindać, PRT Bochum

There is a café-style setup with tables and chairs arranged throughout the space. Mobility with a wheelchair may be limited due to the layout of the room.

Fr 12. 06. 19:00 + 13.06. 19:00 Julian Warner "Der Soldat Ein Übergangsritual" Ringlokschuppen Ruhr, Mülheim an der Ruhr

The audience is seated bi-frontally, that is, on two opposite sides of the stage, in blocks of tiered seating. The performative elements take place on the stage between the audience blocks. A large screen is also set up here, onto which images and texts are projected. All texts are legible from both sides in all languages.

Sa 13.06. 20:30 + So 14.06. 17:00 Michael Turinsky "Work Body“, Ringlokschuppen Ruhr, Mülheim an der Ruhr

There are only a limited number of seats in the space. Audience members for whom this does not pose a barrier are invited to sit on the floor. During the performance, interaction with the audience may require some people to leave or change their seating.

So 14.06. 15:00–17:00 Mandy Unger "Werk-Disko – ein gemeinsamer Tanzspaziergang", Mülheim an der Ruhr

This is a walk with performative interventions. The ground along the route varies greatly, including paved paths, grassy areas, and steps. The dance walk is not accessible for wheelchair users.

Guidance systems

Impulse Festival is visitor to various venues with its events. Most of them do not currently have a tactile guidance system installed.

At the FFT Düsseldorf, in KAP 1, there is a guidance system from the building entrance and for using the lift. The guidance system is not continued within the theatre spaces (counter, foyer, stages).

Please contact us in advance for the possibility of a pick-up service or assistance on site.

Assistance dogs

We aim to welcome assistance dogs to the festival as best as possible. Due to the variety of festival venues and formats, we kindly ask for a brief consultation in advance. This will allow us to coordinate all necessary arrangements with the venues according to your requirements.

Introduction and audio description for blind and visually impaired people

Dates in the festival

Do 04.06. 15:00 Michikazu Matsune "Favourite Songs of Düsseldorf“, KreativRaum D Düsseldorf, start introduction: 14:45

Introduction and whispered audio description for blind and visually impaired audiences:
The introduction is given in spoken German and lasts approximately 10 minutes. It provides participants with the opportunity to explore the performance space before the show and to prepare themselves for the performance.

Mi 10.06. 20:30 Julie Flierl & Camille O "tIED tO tONES“, PRT Bochum, start introduction: 20:00

Sensory Introduction (including for blind and visually impaired audiences and neurodivergent audiences):
The sensory introduction is conducted in spoken German and lasts approximately 20 minutes. It gives participants the opportunity to explore the performance space before the show and to prepare for the performance. It is designed to provide direct access to the action on stage—whether through touching the stage area, improvisation, mindfulness exercises, or an introduction to the movement principles of the piece. In this way, audiences can develop a deeper connection to the production, potentially reduce barriers, and enhance the aesthetic experience.

If you require an English version of the tour, please contact us before purchasing tickets so that we can check availability.

Sa 20.06. 20:30 + So 21.06. 18:00 Rykena/Jüngst "STRIPPING BOLERO", TanzFaktur Köln, start introdcution: 20.06. 19:00, 21.06. 16:30

Touch Tour Before the Performance and Artistically Integrated Audio Description via Speakers:
The touch tour is conducted in spoken German and lasts approximately 40 minutes. It gives participants the opportunity to explore the performance space before the show and to prepare for the performance. The audio description is artistically integrated into the piece and can be heard through the speakers. It describes, narrates, comments on the performers, and at certain points addresses them directly.

To ensure the tour can be properly prepared, please indicate when purchasing your ticket that you wish to attend the tour. Sighted visitors may only participate as companions to visually impaired audience members on the touch tours.

If you require an English version of the tour, please contact us before purchasing tickets so that we can check availability.

Offerings for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Audiences

Dates in the festival

Sa 20.06. 20:30 + So 21.06. 18:00 Rykena/Jüngst „STRIPPING BOLERO", TanzFaktur Köln

Performance with Dance, Subtitles, German Sign Language (DGS), and Sign Language Poetry; for educational formats, interpreted between spoken German and sign language:
The front row of the tiered seating is equipped with enhanced vibration seats. Deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences are recommended to sit in this row, as the vibration is transmitted most effectively there.
There are German subtitles, though they are not complete. Some visual descriptions have been shortened in places to allow the audience to focus on the visual experience.

Acoustic amplification via induction for visitors with hearing aids

Dates in the festival

Mi 03.06. 21:00 + Do 04.06. 19:00 Sheena McGrandles „TOIL", FFT Düsseldorf, Bühne I

Stage I at FFT Düsseldorf is equipped with an induction hearing system.
On the raised tiered seating, reception reaches up to row 3, so please choose your seat accordingly (the induction system cannot be used in the upper tier). If no suitable seats are available, please contact us in advance or speak to festival staff on the evening of the performance. Our staff will be happy to help you find an appropriate seat.
To use the induction hearing system, your hearing aid must be set to T or M/T mode. For more detailed instructions on how to do this, please consult your audiologist, as the exact settings vary depending on the device; activation of the T-coil is required.

Once your hearing aid is set to “induction loop” (T or M/T), it will receive the magnetic field and the audio signal will be transmitted directly to the hearing aid user.

Sa 06.06. 20:30 + So 07.06. 19:30 Nature Theater of Oklahoma „Pizza oder Eine Tür in der Dunkelheit tanzt nicht", FFT Düsseldorf, Bühne I

Stage I at FFT Düsseldorf is equipped with an induction hearing system.
On the raised tiered seating, reception reaches up to row 3, so please choose your seat accordingly (the induction system cannot be used in the upper tier). If no suitable seats are available, please contact us in advance or speak to festival staff on the evening of the performance. Our staff will be happy to help you find an appropriate seat.
To use the induction hearing system, your hearing aid must be set to T or M/T mode. For more detailed instructions on how to do this, please consult your audiologist, as the exact settings vary depending on the device; activation of the T-coil is required.

Once your hearing aid is set to “induction loop” (T or M/T), it will receive the magnetic field and the audio signal will be transmitted directly to the hearing aid user.

Mi 17.06. 19:00 + Do 18.06. 20:30 Nihan Devecioğlu „Yoldaş – Frauen, die einander halten", COMEDIA Theater Köln, Roter Saal

The Red Hall at COMEDIA Theatre Cologne is equipped with an induction hearing system.
Information on how to use it is available on site.

Subtitling of the stage language / little spoken language

The following events use little spoken language or have accompanying surtitles for spoken language.

Dates in the festival

Mi 03.06. 21:00 + Do 04.06. 19:00 Sheena McGrandles „TOIL", FFT Düsseldorf, Bühne I

Little or No Spoken Language:
The dance piece uses very little spoken English, which is not essential for attending the performance.

Sa 13.06. 17:00 + So 14.06. 20:00 Marie Meyer „Fortunate Shortcuts" Theaterrevier (Zeche 1), venue Schauspielhaus Bochum

Little or No Spoken Language:
Apart from a short introduction (approx. 90 seconds), the piece does not use spoken language. We are happy to provide the text of the introduction upon request. Chapter titles are projected in English. The Baroque music played is mostly instrumental, but plays an important role in the production.

The piece uses spoken English and is subtitled in both English and German. Additionally, amplification via induction loop is available (see above).

Fr 19.06. 19:30 + Sa 20.06. 18:30 Alina Arshi „States of bewilderment", FWT: Köln

Little or No Spoken Language:
The dance piece does not use any spoken language. In the first part, a few English-language songs are played, which are not subtitled and are not essential for understanding the performance.

Mi 17.06. 19:00 + Do 18.06. 20:30 Nihan Devecioğlu „Yoldaş – Frauen, die einander halten", COMEDIA Theater Köln

With Subtitles:
The piece uses a lot of spoken and sung language (German and Turkish) and features continuous subtitles in German, English, and Turkish.

Sa 06.06. 20:30 + So 07.06. 19:30 Nature Theater of Oklahoma „Pizza oder Eine Tür in der Dunkelheit tanzt nicht", FFT Düsseldorf, Bühne I

With Subtitles:
The piece is sung almost entirely in English, with subtitles in English and German.

Sa 20.06. 20:30 + So 21.06. 18:00 Rykena/Jüngst „STRIPPING BOLERO", TanzFaktur Köln

With Subtitles:
The piece includes an artistic audio description in German. There are German and English subtitles, although they are not complete. Some visual descriptions have been shortened in places to allow the audience to focus on the visual experience.

Sa 13.06. 20:30 + So 14.06. 17:00 Michael Turinsky „Work Body“, Ringlokschuppen Ruhr, Mülheim an der Ruhr

With Subtitles:
The piece is very text-heavy and in English. German and English subtitles are provided. German and English translations of an Italian poem are also presented on paper.

Fr 12.06. 19:00 + Sa 13.06. 19:00 Julian Warner „Der Soldat. Ein Übergangsritual“, Ringlokschuppen Ruhr, Mülheim an der Ruhr

With Subtitles:
The piece features a large amount of spoken and sung text in German, French, and English. Subtitles are provided, but each shows only the two translations: when French is spoken, German and English subtitles are projected; when English is spoken, German and French subtitles are shown; and when German is spoken, French and English subtitles are displayed.

Language (German and English)

Most festival information and showcase events are understandable in German and English, through spoken language or translations in writing. To this end, the Impulse Festival works with surtitling in the stage area, subtitling via mobile phone or smartglasses and text slips.

Detailed language information can be found on the individual event pages.

Easy Reading

So far, we have not been able to organise any events for the festival that are specifically and tested to be understandable as an "easy read".

Relaxed Performance + Quiet Room

Termine im Festivalprogramm

Do 04.06. 17:00 + Fr 05.06. 21:00 Dávid Koronczi „BRUCHOVRAVY", FFT Düsseldorf, Foyer

Relaxed Performance + Quiet Room + Alternative Seating + Borrowable Fidget Toys:
The atmosphere of this show is relaxed. Audience members are free to come and go throughout the performance. A separate quiet room is available during the performance, as well as approximately 30 minutes before and after. Audience members are encouraged to use stimming and vocalisation in whatever way feels helpful and safe for them.

There are a variety of seating options on the stage, including cushions, beanbags, and chairs with firm backs (free seating).

Mi 17.06. 19:00 und Do 18.06. 20:30 Nihan Devecioğlu „Yoldaş – Frauen, die einander halten“, COMEDIA Theater Köln, Roter Saal

Quiet Room + Borrowable Fidget Toys + Alternative Seating:
The piece has an overall calm atmosphere and consists of songs accompanied by Nihan herself, which are gentle and quiet, as well as film sequences featuring interviews with women, in which factory sounds can occasionally be heard. A quiet zone is available in the foyer. There are various seating options, including cushions, beanbags, and chairs.

A box with tools to enhance relaxed accessibility is available in the foyer before the performance. This includes earplugs, stimming toys, and dark glasses.

Sa 20.06. 20:30 + So 21.06 18:00 Rykena/Jüngst „STRIPPING BOLERO“, TanzFaktur Köln, Halle

Quiet Room + Borrowable Fidget Toys + Alternative Seating + Free Entry and Exit:
The atmosphere of this show is relaxed. Audience members are free to come and go throughout the performance. A separate quiet room is available during the performance, as well as approximately 30 minutes before and after. Audience members are encouraged to use stimming and vocalisation in whatever way feels helpful and safe for them.

There are a variety of seating options, including cushions, beanbags, and chairs.

At certain points in the piece, coloured lighting is used. In one scene, the light will pulse red for a moment. Music is played in some sections, which is transmitted through vibrations to the tiered seating and partially to the stage set. The music may be loud at times.

Audience members may leave the theatre at any time and return freely.

Early Boarding + Alternative Seating Options

We offer early boarding for most performances. If you would like to make use of this service, please let us know when purchasing your ticket or contact us at barrierefreiheit@impulsefestival.de.

We offer beanbags as an alternative seating option. This option is available for all stage performances. If you would like to take advantage of this offer, please let us know when purchasing your ticket or contact us at barrierefreiheit@impulsefestival.de.

Content Notes und sensory stimuli

Notes on potentially sensitive content and information on sensory stimuli can give away parts of a piece.

Some artists provide information about the content of the piece in advance to enable you to make an individual assessment of whether you would like to attend the event.

Specific information is not available for all events. You are welcome to contact us if you are planning your visit and have questions about individual programme items or procedures.