Captioning is a vital aspect of our EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) offer here at the Belgrade, helping a diverse range of patrons to enjoy theatre via the use of subtitles. To mark Captioning Awareness Week, we sat down with Adel Al-Salloum, our Director of Producing and Co-Creation and co-chair of the theatre's Access and Inclusion Group.
Adele, could you please describe your role here at the Belgrade?
A: As Director of Producing and Co-Creation, I work with Corey Campbell, our Artistic Director, and the Producing Team to develop and deliver exciting, ambitious programmes — from the work we make for our stages to the projects we create in partnership with schools, communities, and with local artists. It’s a varied role but at its heart it’s about making work with, by and for people of all ages and abilities.
As Co-Chair of the Access and Inclusion Working Group, what drives your passion for accessibility initiatives?
A: I’m passionate about making and sharing work with all kinds of people. For me, access starts with an invitation, making sure everyone feels welcome and able to take part. It’s about creating spaces where people don’t have to ask to belong, and where everyone can experience that same sense of connection and agency. At Belgrade we do not see accessibility as an optional extra, it’s part of good design, and part of our people first culture.
Why is Captioning Awareness Week important for our community?
A: Captioning Awareness Week reminds us that accessibility benefits everyone. It’s a chance to pause and think about how we communicate and who we might be leaving out when we don’t design for inclusion. It’s also a celebration of the people and practices that make our theatre more open, creative and welcoming.
How do captions help create a more inclusive environment for everyone?
A: We all experience and absorb information in different ways. Captions make performances more flexible and accessible for everyone. Not only do they make sure that D/deaf people have equal access to performances and events, but they also help others, for example those who may be learning English or anyone who processes information differently. They could even help someone in a noisy space trying to follow along or allow parents with sleeping babies to enjoy a show quietly. This all supports people to deepen their understanding and connection with stories, helping more people to engage, in their own way.
Before we finish, do you have any final thoughts about captioning and the wider topic of accessibility and inclusion?
A: Inclusion is everyone’s work. Whether it’s through captioning, creative collaboration, or how we welcome audiences into our theatre every act of access makes the arts richer and more human. Captioning Awareness Week is a brilliant reminder that when we design with access in mind, everyone benefits.