Maynardville Festival has set a new standard for inclusivity by introducing full accessibility for Deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences, featuring professional SASL interpreters and innovative technology.
Image: Instagram/@maynardville
Under the shaded surroundings of Maynardville’s historic open-air theatre, something truly inspiring unfolded this year.
For the first time in its illustrious history, the festival embraced full accessibility, ensuring that deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences could experience the magic of live performance without barriers.
Through the collaborative efforts of SASLi, JazzHands, SocioGo, and VR Theatrical, the Maynardville Festival introduced professional South African Sign Language (SASL) interpreters, Deaf interpreters, and a loop system for hearing aid users - setting a powerful precedent for inclusive theatre in South Africa.
This initiative comes at a crucial time, as hearing impairment affects a significant portion of South Africa’s population.
In 2022, Statistics South Africa reported that approximately 3.6% of individuals aged five years and older experience hearing difficulties, equating to around 3.3 million people in a population of 62 million.
A 2021 study estimated that 5.5 per 1,000 live births in South Africa are affected by hearing impairment, a rate significantly higher than in high-income countries.
Maynardville has long been a staple of the country’s theatre calendar, famed for its Shakespearean productions and unique outdoor setting.
However, this year’s all-access programme has redefined its legacy, proving that accessibility should not be an afterthought but an integral part of the theatrical experience.
Audiences and artists alike have celebrated the initiative, with award-winning actress Antoinette Kellerman describing the evening as “a very vocally generous audience [that] made it an extremely special occasion. And definitely for the actors as well.”
For many deaf attendees, the experience was a revelation.
Jabaar Cassiem Mohamed, the Western Cape Provincial Director of DeafSA - a non-profit organisation committed to supporting the Deaf community in the region - and TV Presenter of "Accessibility With Jabaar", shared his thoughts on the evening.
“I’ve been to many shows with full SASL interpreting, but last night (February 19) felt truly inclusive. I could easily see the SASL interpreter, freely watch the artists, and fully absorb the incredible atmosphere. It was a powerful experience, true accessibility makes all the difference.”
Another audience member echoed this sentiment: “I’ve attended many live shows without a SASL interpreter, but on Wednesday night, I truly felt fully included.
"I could clearly see both the SASL and deaf interpreters from where I was seated, allowing me to comfortably watch the artists perform and immerse myself in the incredible atmosphere. The loop system for hearing aid users was also a game-changer. Let’s all make this the norm!”
Beyond mere accommodation, the initiative enriched the entire theatrical experience. Rauen Venter, the director of OpenAirCollective, highlighted the profound impact of having Deaf interpreters on stage.
“It created a space for true equitable engagement and deepened the experience for all of our patrons. A heartfelt thank you to Ayesha at SocioGo and Marsanne at JazzHands for making this possible, and to the incredible team at OAC and VR Theatrical for their foresight.
"Let’s continue to demand we do what is required to challenge the status quo because when we do, we craft what is possible," Venter said.
The loop system will remain available for the entirety of the festival, which runs until March 8.