Queer Youth Arts Program Inclusion and Accessibility Commitment

At Buddies, we know that there is a great divide of privilege and access operating in our community and our world. Our commitment is to honour the diversity of the community as a whole, creating space that is safer for Queer people who identify as Indigenous, 2-Spirit, differently-abled, Trans Women of Colour, Trans Women, People of Colour, GLBTQI, and any whose voices are often left behind and marginalized. Buddies is a wheelchair accessible space with all gender washrooms. Currently we are unable to offer ASL interpretation on a consistent basis, however, Buddies may be able to make accommodations on request. Because we are a publicly accessed space we cannot guarantee a scent-free building, however, youth-focused programming aims to be a scent-free environment. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding Buddies In Bad Times Theatre and accessibility, please do not hesitate to get in touch! Email youth@buddiesinbadtimes.com as we welcome your input! The Youth Program at Buddies understands a commitment to accessibility and inclusivity as an on-going process and a learning process. If you have input about this process or would like to provide any information or resources, we welcome that as well!

Click here to read our Ontario AODA Accessibility Report or check out our profile in AccessTO.

Physical Accessibility

Our entire facility is fully accessible to audience members, and our cabaret stage is also accessible to performers. Both of our performance venues offer seating at floor level. If you have any seating requirements, please inform our box office staff when purchasing your tickets.

Our entrance is accessed by ramp for all patrons. Our washrooms are located on the lower level, which can be reached by elevator (to access this elevator, you will need to speak to a box office representative or another member of the Buddies staff). Some stalls are equipped with bars and provide extra space, though patrons with larger mobility devices may find it a tight fit.

Washrooms

Our washroom facilities are not designated by gender and all patrons are free to use the washroom of their choosing. Both washrooms are equipped with private stalls (including larger stalls that accommodate mobility devices) and communal sinks, one washroom is equipped with urinals that can be used by people of any height.

Service Animals

Accredited service animals are always welcome on our premises. Guide dogs or other service animals, including service animals in training, are allowed to accompany patrons who require them. If you are planning on bringing a service animal to a performance, please advise our box office staff when you purchase your tickets so that an appropriate seat can be saved for you.

If you are a bringing a service animal, we recommend that you review any audience advisories about special effects that may affect your service animal during the production (i.e. loud noise, lighting effects, other animals, etc.). This information may not be known at the time of booking but can be confirmed by our Box Office staff a few days prior to the first performance.

Personal Assistants and Support Persons

Personal Assistants and Support Persons are welcome to accompany any patron with diverse access needs. At no time will a person with access needs be prevented from having a Personal Assistant or Support Person with them while accessing events, shows, or the building. We consider a support person to be an individual chosen, or hired, to provide services or assistance with communication, mobility, personal care, medical needs, or access to good or services.

For ticketed events, Personal Assistants and Support Persons accompanying a person with diverse abilities will be admitted at no cost.

Getting to Buddies

For instructions on getting to Buddies, click here.

Communications and Feedback

If you have questions, suggestions, or feedback about access at our Queer Youth Arts Program, or at Buddies in general, you may reach us in any of the following ways: