Theater access easier in Appleton

Theater can open up worlds of imagination, but there's a hidden world-- that can slip by unnoticed.

"When someone is involved with someone with a disability they see first hand the issues they are confronted with," Joe Martin of Appleton said.

Martin says many take accessibility for granted, but for people with disabilities there's no guarantee. He joined a number of volunteers at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, to showcase adaptive technologies that are making a difference here.

"In my case being in an electric wheelchair, which I'm confined to at all times, I'm able to sit in many different areas of the center and I've used them all," Martin said.

From Broadway to comedy, he's at the PAC a lot. Center staff say that's the whole idea. Whether you have challenges with mobility, vision or hearing, the Performing Arts Center wants to be a gathering place for the Fox Cities.

"Really when you look at our community that means everybody," Maria Van Laanen with the Center said.

The PAC held an open house to educate patrons on their options, including American Sign Language and infrared assisted-listening systems.

Most of the Arts Center's accessibility technologies have been in place since the theater opened, but this season patrons will get to experience a new one, open-captioned performances for the first time.

"We actually have a screen that will be near the stage and in time with the actors and what's happening on stage, the words will scroll across that screen very similar to what you see on TV," Van Laanen said.

"I think what the PAC has done is opened up eyes," Martin said.

He only hopes others will follow suit.

The PAC says a grant is paying for the open-captioning this season. The theater will offer the service during the matinees for seven broadway shows. That will begin with "The 101 Dalmations Musical" October 24th.