Accessibility - THE TWYFORD, Merimbula NSW Australia

Accessibility in our Venue

The Twyford is committed to providing a great experience for our audiences, visiting artists and crews.

Inner doors from Beach St Entrance to Hall

Doors from Hall to main entrance corridor and toilets – assistance may be required to open both doors

Unisex accessible toilet including baby change table and handbasin

Main Entrance on Market St between Twyford Hall and Sails Real Estate. Door opens outwards.

TGSIs in Main Entrance corridor and stairs to Foyer Level. TGSIs are also inside the Stage Door entrance and northern stairwell to Dressing Rooms and Control floor.

Main Entrance Lobby inside Main Entrance Door on Market St leads to Toilets, Hall, Lift, Foyer and Theatre. AED is located here.

2 way lift connecting Main Entrance corridor to Foyer on Level 1. Do not use in event of fire – staff and emergency services will assist you.

Inside Lift. Enter one side and exit the other side (no need to turn around)

Foyer on Level 1 with Box Office, Cafe/Bar. Accessible Height counter on left and Theatre entry Doors 1 and 2 on right — Foyer on Level 1 with Box Office, Cafe/Bar. Accessible Height counter on left with Theatre entry Doors 1 & 2 and lift on right. First Aid Kit available here.

Rows A to J in Theatre – Row J has 4 pairs of removable seats to make 4 wheelchair spaces available. Row J is level with the Theatre entry Doors 1 and 2.

Seats removed from Row J in Theatre for wheelchairs/walkers

View from the back row of Theatre (Row N) — Stairs up to Upper Stalls of Theatre (Rows K-N)

Step Lights & Handrails for Rows A to H in Theatre

T Switch Ampletronic Hearing Loop throughout Theatre Auditorium

Accessible Dressing Room — Lower Dressing Room on stage level with extra high benchspace at one end

Accessible Bathroom — Accessible Shower off Lower Dressing Room (cast & crew only)

PARKING

The nearest accessible parking spaces are in the Beach Street carpark, the eastern end of Beach St and the Alice St carpark. Time-limited kerbside parking (30 minutes to 2 hours during business hours Monday-Friday and Saturday morning) is available in Beach St or Market St. For longer parking stays, we recommend parking in the Beach St carpark (2-3 hours) or the 90 degree parking areas at the eastern end of Beach St (unlimited). After 6.30pm on Monday-Saturday and all day on Sundays, the bus zone on Market St ceases to be a bus stop and may be parked in. This space is right outside the Main Entrance.
A bus stop for Sapphire Coast buslines is on Market Street outside The Twyford venue.

ASSISTANCE ANIMALS

Trained Registered Assistance Animals and Service Animals are permitted to enter provided they meet all legal requirements – read more details about our animals policy

FIRST AID / AED

First aid kits are located in the FOYER office, KITCHEN and CONTROL ROOM and an AED (automated external defibrillator) is located in the Main Entrance Corridor off Market Street
Our ushers and staff are trained in First Aid/Apply CPR as well as emergency evac procedures – please follow their directions and those of emergency services if applicable.
Should you or your companion feel ill or are injured, please let our staff know immediately.

TOILET FACILITIES

All publicly accessible toilets are located on the Ground Floor off the Main Entrance corridor.
There is a unisex accessible RH toilet and parent room with baby change table.
5 female and 2 male toilets + urinal are located on this floor for patron and hirer use.
From the HALL, the toilets are accessed via a double inward opening door at the northwest corner of the Hall, leading into the Main Entrance corridor and toilet corridor.
From the SUPPER ROOM, access the toilets via the adjacent HALL, as above.
From the THEATRE or FOYER, use the lift or stairs from the Foyer to get to the toilets on the ground floor.
For performers/speakers and crew only: The Lower Dressing Room has an accessible bathroom attached with LH toilet, shower and basin. The Lower Dressing Room is accessed via the Theatre Stage or the ramp inside the Stage Door entrance on Market St.
The Upper Dressing Room and attached bathroom are only accessible via stairs from the Stage Door entrance, Stage or Control Room. Cast and crew facilities are not publicly accessible.

ENTRANCES

THEATRE, FOYER and most HALL events:
- Use the Main Entrance on Market St located between Twyford Hall and Sails Real Estate. Please ensure your wheelchair is located to the left of the doors before you pull it open, as it swings outwards. The door has a sensor to prevent closing if someone is inside the door area.
- To get to the Hall, use the double door to your right just after you enter the Main Entrance. Assistance may be required from the hirer if the double doors have not been fully opened beforehand.
- To get to the Theatre Foyer, Box Office, Cafe/Bar and Theatre on Level 1, take the lift or stairs.
- TGSIs (tactile ground surface indicators) are located inside the Main Entrance on Market St before the stairs to Level 1 Foyer and Theatre entrance, on the stairs at the top in the Foyer where there is a change in direction, and on the ramps leading into the Theatre auditorium.
- There are handrails on the stairs in the THEATRE Auditorium for Rows A to H only. Rows K to N have a central aisle that has no railing but seat backs either side can be used to help you climb up the stairs. There is level access (no steps) to Row J with the Foyer with a TGSI indicated accessible ramp.
- Please check your ticket and ensure you enter Door 1 for seats numbered 1 to 8 and Door 2 for seats numbered 9 to 16, as there is a centre crossover with steps in between that is not navigable by wheelchairs or walkers.
HALL events (eg markets, elections or exhibitions):
- Use the Beach St Hall double door entrance (no steps) or the Market St Hall double door entrance (one step). Accessible double doorway at Beach St entrance of Hall, inner door into Hall and inner door to toilet facilities on ground floor: minimum 1.35m wide. Some assistance may be required to open both leaves of the door for wider wheelchairs.

HEARING LOOP

The Theatre Auditorium has an Ampetronic T-Switch hearing loop installed. Hearing Aid users and cochlear implant users who have a compatible device with a “T Switch” can pick up sound directly from the magnetic field created by feeding sound from the stage into a coil of copper wire installed in the theatre – this is called an audio or hearing induction loop.

In an induction loop system, sound from a microphone, PA system, video or other sound source is fed through an amplifier and then to a loop of wire placed around the perimeter of the auditorium. The total area of the auditorium is looped. An individual loop worn around the neck, or an induction plate worn next to the aid are other alternatives. The small coil in the earpiece of modern telephones also serves the same purpose.

When switched to the ‘T’ (Telecoil) position, the hearing aid/implant responds only to those sounds coming through the loop. The microphone of the aid is not operating, so unwanted and distracting background noise is not picked up. This can often be distinct advantage.
Most behind-the-ear type aids will have this facility. Some in-ear aids can also have a Telecoil – in some cases this may only be accessed by the use of a remote control unit. If you already wear an aid which does not include a Telecoil, it may be possible to have one added – ask your hearing aid supplier.

See the video from Ampetronic: How Hearing Loops work

LIFT

A 2-way lift is available from the Main Entrance corridor off Market St to Level 1 Foyer, Box Office, Cafe/Bar and Theatre (no need to turn wheelchair around in lift – enter one side and exit the other).
The lift load limit is 5 passengers or 350kg. The lift door is 90cm wide x 2m high. Internal dimensions are 1.02m wide at handrail level x 1.4m deep x 2m high.
An emergency phone is available inside lift – if the lift doors do not open, press the phone button and wait for the operator.
In case of fire, the lift must not be used – staff and emergency services will provide assistance.

SEATING IN THE FOYER

Our Foyer Box Office and Cafe/Bar has an accessible height bench.
Lounges with arms and regular height seating with solid backs and small tables are available in the Foyer.

SEATING IN THE THEATRE

Seating in the Theatre is tiered and accessed via 2 or more steps for all rows, except accessible Row J, which is on the same level as the Foyer.
All seats are upholstered with wooden arms that are fixed to the seating. Seat pads tilt up by default to allow patrons to move past others in the row.
If you need more legroom we recommend you select an aisle seat.
Up to 4 wheelchair/walker spaces are available in Row J per session, with companion seating available in the same row. These seats are not bookable online – please contact The Twyford box office directly.
If you prefer to remain seated in your wheelchair or walker, please book a wheelchair space so that we can remove a pair of seats to provide enough space for you.
If you bring a walker or wheelchair and wish to transfer to a regular theatre seat, our ushers will assist you (please note we do NOT have a lifting mechanism in house) and then move your mobility device to the alcove just inside the theatre doors, so that exit paths remain clear – this is a fire safety requirement. Please ensure you have everything with you at your seat that you need (valuables, medications, water bottle, knee rug etc) before they store your mobility device. Our ushers will gladly take your drink order for you preshow and at interval (if any) and bring it to you so you do not need to leave your seat. Or you can preorder/prepay at the foyer bar when you arrive, ready for interval.
If no Row J seats are available, the next best option is to book seats in Row H (2 steps down from the Foyer level) or an aisle seat in Rows A to G. There are handrails on the wall and step lighting to help patrons reach these lower rows.
Please note that Row A (front row) is the furthest row from the entry level, with 16 steps.
Rows K – N are accessed via a crossover with 4 steps, and then further multiple steps to higher rows. These rows are NOT recommended for anyone with mobility issues as there are no handrails (only seat-backs).

SEATING IN THE HALL

Seating in the Hall is flexible plastic seats with no arms, connected together, on a flat wooden floor. For concert-style events, chairs can be taken out to allow for wheelchairs, walkers etc. However, you should ensure you book one of the aisle seats with the wheelchair symbol, as each mobility device takes up two regular seat spaces. It may not be possible to remove extra seats for you on an aisle if the show is heavily booked, so please ensure you book early. Contact our box office if you need assistance.
For events such as markets and exhibitions, a limited number of loose seats are available for general use.
For seated table functions such as weddings and parties, be sure to inform your host if you have a wheelchair or walker so that the seating plan can accommodate you comfortably.

BOOKING YOUR ACCESSIBLE SEATING

Bookings for most events can be made online (via booking link for each event), by phone or SMS on 0421 199910 or in person 60 minutes before the show, subject to availability.
Please note that large festival events (eg Jazz Festival) make their own festival tickets available and you may need to contact the event organiser regarding seat reservations to suit.
In the THEATRE, we reserve as many seats as possible in Row J and the aisle seats in Row H for people with mobility issues and their companion. These seats can currently only be booked by contacting The Twyford Box Office. If you are a regular Theatre patron, we can provide you with a special code that allows you to book these seats online. We strongly recommend you book early to ensure you get the seat you need. Subscribe to our e-news to get early advice about upcoming events.
The THEATRE has an Ampletronic T Switch Hearing Loop, accessible throughout the auditorium, by turning on the “T” switch on your hearing aid. If you’re not sure whether your hearing aid has this feature, please consult your hearing aid specialist. When you turn on the T Switch, you should hear a direct show feed from our audio desk. Adjust the volume using your hearing aid controls.
For seated events in the HALL, you can reserve wheelchair seats online or contact The Twyford Box Office for assistance. Our ushers will assist you if you wish to transfer to a regular seat and will store your mobility device out of emergency exit paths, returning it to you at interval or end of the show.
In the SUPPER ROOM, there is a level wide concertina doorway with flexible seating on carpeted floor, easily removable to make way for mobility devices.

EXIT PATHS MUST REMAIN CLEAR AT ALL TIMES

For safety reasons, wheelchairs, walkers, prams, crutches etc that are not in use during the performance will be moved to the alcoves inside the theatre door entrances by our ushers and returned to you at interval/end of the show. Please ensure that you have everything you need with you before devices are moved.
Walking sticks should be placed under seats, not in aisles.
Standing in the aisles during a performance is not permitted.
Please do not bring large bags, shopping etc with you as we do not have the space for cloaking facilities.

TOILET FACILITIES

There is a unisex accessible RH toilet and parent room with baby change table located on the ground floor off the Main Entrance corridor. 5 female and 2 male toilets + urinal are located on this floor. These toilets are for patron and hirer use.
From the HALL, the toilets are accessed via a double inward opening door at the northwest corner of the Hall, leading into the Main Entrance corridor and toilet corridor.
From the SUPPER ROOM, access the toilets via the adjacent HALL, as above.
From the THEATRE or FOYER, use the lift or stairs from the Foyer to get to the toilets on the ground floor.
For performers/speakers and crew only: The Lower Dressing Room has a fully accessible bathroom attached with LH toilet, shower and basin facilities. The Lower Dressing Room is accessed via the Theatre Stage or the ramp inside the Stage Door entrance on Market St.
The Upper Dressing Room and attached bathroom are only accessible via stairs from the Stage Door entrance, Stage or Control Room. These cast and crew facilities are not publicly accessible.

STAGES ACCESS

The THEATRE stage for performers and crew only is 82cm above ground level and is accessible via the Stage Door entrance between Horizon Bank and Superette on Market St. This is NOT a public entrance – an access code is required. A long straight ramp with handrails leads from this entrance to the Lower Dressing Room corridor and Stage.
Alternative crew/performer access is via the door beside the loading dock, with 4 steps (82cm) with a handrail from the Loading Dock driveway level to the Theatre/Hall stage level. This door must NOT be used during performance time in the THEATRE.
The HALL stage is 82cm above the Hall auditorium floor level and can be reached from the Hall auditorium via 4 steps with a railing on one side. Accessible entry is available via the THEATRE stage (see above) – assistance from the Stage Manager may be required to access the Hall stage via the stage-right door. Note that the rear Hall stage double doors may not be available to use if there is a scenery banner or screen in place on the Hall stage.

CONTROL ROOM CREW ACCESS

There is no accessible crew access to Level 2 (Control Room, Plant Room, Fly Floor). The shortest accessible path is to go to the Theatre Foyer by lift from the Main Entrance, then take the northern stairwell (crew only) up one flight of stairs. There are TGSIs in this stairwell.
It is possible to run aspects of the show from the Stage Manager desk on Theatre stage, or potentially from a portable desk in Row J of the Theatre. Both of these positions are accessible.