Access Information

We have a range of events at the Book Festival that offer British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation – these have all been selected in conversation with our friends at Deaf Action.

The BSL interpreters are present on stage with the authors and hosts. To make sure you’ve got the best sight of our interpreters, please let our Box Office team know ahead of time so we can make sure that you’re seated in the best spot. 

Email: boxoffice@edbookfest.co.uk 
Phone: 0345 373 5888 

Before the event, please make yourself known to our Front of House team, and they will lead you to your seat.

Did you know that you can request a BSL interpreter for any event in the programme?

How it works: 

• Book tickets: Buy tickets to the event you want to see in the usual way. [Link to how to book]
• Get in touch: Please get in touch with us right after booking your ticket to request an interpreter. You can email at bsl@edbookfest.co.uk or phone 0345 373 5888.
• Wait for confirmation: We process requests weekly across June and July and will make arrangements with the interpreters before confirming your request. If we are unable to fulfil a BSL request, we can exchange your ticket or refund you. Please note that we cannot accept requests after 30 July.
• Enjoy the event: Please do make yourself known to our Front of House team when you arrive the venue, and they will lead you to a seat close to the stage.

To make communications easier at the Festival for our d/Deaf visitors, we’re offering easy access to BSL interpreters through SignLive, a deaf-owned organisation based in the UK.

How it works:

• Scan the QR Code: There’s no need to download an app, just use your phone or tablet to scan the SignLive QR codes located around our site. You can find these at the Box Office.
• Connect with an interpreter: Once you scan the code, you’ll be connected with a BSL interpreter, meaning you can have a real-time chat with our team.

We use a combination of live captioners and AI captions to ensure that we can caption as many Book Festival events as possible. Events with live captioners and AI captions are marked in our brochure and on our website. We are keen to receive feedback from audience members using our AI captions, so we can seek to improve this service.

Captions will be provided on screens on the stage, either in the middle of the stage or on the sides. To make sure you’re having the best sight of the screens, please let our Access or Box Office team know ahead of time so we can make sure that you’re seated in the best spot. And before the event, please make yourself known to our Front of House team who will lead you to your seat.

We have sound enhancement systems (i.e. infrared and audio induction loops) in our theatres at Edinburgh Futures Institute.

Headsets can be collected from the Box Office or you can connect to the loops with your own hearing aid by switching to the T position.

We wish that everyone who wanted to join us in-person could, but we know it’s not that simple, which is why, where possible, we bring events to you wherever you are. Most of the events in our largest venues, T and McEwan Hall, will be livestreamed and available to watch both in-person and online.

We have a dedicated access queue for all of our events. This allows audience members with access requirements to sit down while waiting and have early access to their seats. If you have been in touch with us already about your access requirements (for instance, about a wheelchair space, or needing sightline of a BSL interpreter) please make yourself known to our friendly Front of House team who will show you to your reserved access seat. 

If you have a wheelchair or need to sit in a specific area (an aisle seat, for example) please let the Box Office know as soon as possible when you book, or at least two days before your event on 0345 373 5888 or email access@edbookfest.co.uk. 

We want to ensure that the most accessible seats are available for those who need them, so due to space and demand we cannot also reserve seats for others in your group.

We have wheelchairs and a mobility scooter available on-site at the Edinburgh Futures Institute which you can borrow for the day. These can be collected at the Box Office, or from our Access Office if you would like to use them. 

Please get in touch with our Box Office team on 0345 373 5888 or email access@edbookfest.co.uk to reserve a wheelchair ahead of your event. You're also welcome to ask our teams about wheelchairs on the day and we will do what we can to help, subject to availability of equipment. 

Assistance dogs are welcome within all Festival areas. Please let the Box Office know at least a day before your event that you will be accompanied by your assistance dog so we can make sure you are seated somewhere suitable.

Wearing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard discreetly indicates to our trained staff that you may need additional support or help as you navigate the Book Festival site and attend events. Lanyards are available at the Box Office and from our Access team.

We know that the needs of each individual are unique, and we take a bespoke approach to supporting each audience member with access requirements. We have a dedicated Access team who will help support your visit in any way they can.  They’re happy to answer any questions or chat to you about how best we can make your Festival experience a relaxing and enjoyable one. Email access@edbookfest.co.uk, visit the Access Office on Level 1 (nearby Venue B) or ask the Front of House team to get in touch with the team while you’re on site.

We have a First Aid team in the Edinburgh Futures Institute who can help you if you need assistance, and a private First Aid treatment room.

We have toilets for everyone, including gender neutral toilets, single gender toilets,  wheelchair accessible toilets with access from both left and right, and a fully accessible Changing Places toilet (complete with a hoist and changing table, though we ask that you please provide your own sling). 

There’s a lot to see and do at the Festival, and sometimes you might want to take a moment to yourself if it all feels a bit much. For those who would like to step away from the hubbub of the main areas, we will have a dedicated Quiet Space where you can take the time and space you need. It has comfortable seating, soft lighting, weighted blankets, ear defenders, and is very peaceful.