Accessibility, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy

Galway Comedy Festival is committed to creating a Festival that is welcoming, inclusive and accessible to as wide a range of people as possible.

Comedy brings people together and provides a space for different voices, experiences and perspectives. We believe that audiences, artists, staff, volunteers, contractors and partners should be treated with dignity and respect and should be able to participate in the Festival without discrimination.

We recognise that accessibility and inclusion require ongoing attention and improvement. As a large, multi-venue festival operating across Galway City, some elements of physical accessibility are dependent on the facilities and infrastructure of individual venues. We are committed to working collaboratively with those venues, artists and audiences to identify barriers and provide clear and accurate information wherever possible.

Galway Comedy Festival is committed to equality of opportunity and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, gender identity, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race, ethnicity, nationality, membership of the Traveller community, socioeconomic background or other status protected under applicable equality legislation.

We seek to foster an environment in which different backgrounds, identities, perspectives and experiences are respected.

These principles apply across our work with:

• Audiences.
• Artists and performers.
• Festival staff and volunteers.
• Venues.
• Suppliers and contractors.
• Sponsors, funders and partners.
• Media and other stakeholders.

Discrimination, harassment, bullying or abusive behaviour is not acceptable within the Festival environment.

Galway Comedy Festival aims to remove barriers to participation wherever reasonably practicable and to provide audiences with the information they need to make informed decisions about attending Festival events.

Because the Festival takes place across multiple venues, accessibility facilities can vary from location to location.

We will therefore work with participating venues to gather and communicate relevant information regarding facilities such as:

• Step-free and wheelchair access.
• Accessible seating.
• Accessible toilets.
• Assistance for customers with reduced mobility.
• Hearing assistance or other available facilities.
• Access arrangements for people attending with assistance dogs.
• Any physical or logistical restrictions that may affect attendance.

Where a venue cannot provide a particular facility, we will aim to communicate this clearly rather than creating unrealistic expectations for customers.

We recognise that accessibility requirements vary from person to person and that not every requirement can be captured through standard venue information.

Audience members with accessibility requirements are encouraged to contact Galway Comedy Festival in advance of attending an event. The Festival will work with the relevant venue to understand the individual’s requirements and determine what reasonable accommodations can be provided.

Requests may relate to areas including accessible seating, wheelchair or mobility aid accommodation, accessible toilets, hearing or communication requirements, assistance dogs or other access needs.

We will treat accessibility enquiries respectfully and sensitively and will only request information that is reasonably necessary to understand and respond to the person’s requirements.

Galway Comedy Festival operates across a diverse range of venues, including theatres, dedicated performance spaces and hospitality venues.

Some of these buildings may have physical constraints, particularly older buildings where structural changes may not be possible.

When working with venues, we will:

• Seek clear information about existing accessibility provisions.
• Encourage venues to identify potential barriers to participation.
• Work collaboratively to identify reasonable solutions where possible.
• Communicate significant accessibility limitations to audiences.
• Consider accessibility when selecting and programming venues, alongside capacity, location, artistic suitability, availability, safety and production requirements.

We recognise that accessibility is an important consideration in venue selection and will seek opportunities to improve the range of accessible Festival experiences over time.

Galway Comedy Festival aims to make its audience communications clear, understandable and accessible.

We will seek to:

• Use clear and straightforward language.
• Provide accessibility information alongside event and venue information where available.
• Maintain a website that supports accessible digital use and review opportunities to improve its accessibility.
• Use appropriate text descriptions or alternative text for significant digital imagery where practical.
• Consider readability and contrast in digital and printed communications.
• Avoid relying solely on visual information to communicate essential details.
• Provide alternative information or assistance where reasonably practicable for customers who experience barriers using our standard booking or communication channels.

We recognise that digital accessibility standards and audience needs continue to evolve and will review our digital platforms accordingly.

We aim to make the process of finding information and purchasing tickets as straightforward as possible.

Where an audience member experiences an accessibility-related difficulty with the standard booking process, the Festival team will endeavour to provide appropriate assistance.

Where accessible seating or specific access arrangements are managed directly by a venue, Galway Comedy Festival will provide or direct customers to the relevant booking information wherever possible.

Our commitment to accessibility and inclusion extends to the artists participating in Galway Comedy Festival.

We will seek to work constructively with artists and their representatives regarding access requirements associated with travel, accommodation, backstage facilities and performance spaces.

Where an artist identifies an access requirement, the Festival will work with the relevant venue and suppliers to identify reasonable and practical accommodations.

Galway Comedy Festival recognises the cultural value of presenting a broad range of comedic voices, perspectives and experiences.

Programming decisions remain grounded in artistic quality, audience development and the overall identity of the Festival, while we also seek opportunities to:

• Support emerging as well as established talent.
• Present artists from a range of backgrounds and experiences.
• Provide opportunities for Irish and international performers.
• Encourage an environment in which different voices and perspectives can participate in the Festival.
• Identify and address unnecessary barriers to participation within the comedy sector where the Festival has the ability to do so.

We recognise that diversity is not achieved through individual programming decisions but through sustained engagement and continued development.

Galway Comedy Festival is committed to providing a respectful and inclusive working environment.

Recruitment, engagement and working practices will seek to provide equality of opportunity and reasonable accommodation where required.

Staff, volunteers and contractors are expected to treat colleagues, artists, audiences and partners with dignity and respect.

Any concerns relating to discrimination, harassment or accessibility should be raised with Festival management so that they can be addressed appropriately.

Comedy frequently engages with challenging, provocative and diverse subject matter, and Galway Comedy Festival respects the artistic freedom of performers.

However, this does not extend to discriminatory, threatening, harassing or abusive behaviour by audience members towards performers, Festival personnel or other attendees.

The Festival and participating venues reserve the right to respond appropriately where behaviour compromises the safety, dignity or enjoyment of others.

We recognise that accessibility and inclusion are ongoing processes and that people with lived experience of barriers are often best placed to identify where improvements can be made.

Galway Comedy Festival welcomes constructive feedback from audiences, artists, staff and partners regarding accessibility and inclusion.

Where issues are identified, we will consider what reasonable changes can be made within the Festival’s resources and operational control.

Accessibility and EDI practices will be reviewed periodically, with the aim of improving information, facilities, processes and participation over time.

Galway Comedy Festival’s aim is to create an environment in which people can experience, perform and work in comedy with dignity and respect.

We acknowledge that not every barrier can be removed immediately, particularly within a multi-venue Festival operating in a mixture of buildings and spaces. Our commitment is therefore to be transparent about existing limitations, responsive to individual requirements and proactive in identifying opportunities for improvement.

Through collaboration with audiences, artists, venues and partners, we will continue working towards a Festival that is increasingly accessible, diverse, inclusive and welcoming to all.