Accessibility resources offered on the Shakespeare's Globe website

Fortunately, Will and his team have cut accessibility ambiguity from the ticket-buying process entirely. They’ve done it with Tessitura’s e-commerce platform, TNEW.

TNEW allows the Globe to add accessibility options to the standard online purchase path. Audiences no longer need to reach out to the theatre days before a show. Now, they can select the device they need from a menu integrated into every online ticket sale. 

“Previously, a user would have to call us or email us to know how to get those tickets. Now it’s just on our website,” Will said. “It’s so much easier.” 

“Most venues have these provisions, but [with our website] it’s just there. It’s great. And Tessitura really helps with that.”

The need for changes like this — simply addressing accessibility needs as part of the standard ticketing process instead of a separate one — is borne out in the numbers. Audiences have shared positive feedback about the transparency and simplicity of this process. Will can track the success of this effort with Tessitura’s built-in analytics. And the ticketing team has recorded a steady increase in accommodation requests, exactly as they’d hoped. They’re delighted to be able to serve more people. 

“Most venues have these provisions, but [with our website] it’s just there,” Will said. “It’s great. And Tessitura really helps with that.”

This change does more than save time and stress for both staff and audiences. It also helps communicate that every theatre fan is welcome in the Globe community. With today’s technology, it shouldn’t take extra logistical work to connect with Shakespeare. 

Accommodations are increasingly affordable for venues to provide and easy for audiences to use. And with a configurable ticketing solution, it’s simpler than ever to get these tools into the hands of those who need them.

^{Photo courtesy of Miki Govedarica.}