New Zealand Opera is the first in the world to offer braille surtitles, enabling blind and low-vision operagoers to follow lyrics or scripts during live performances without distracting audio descriptions. Developed by NZ Opera’s general director, Brad Cohen, the technology synchronizes braille text on a listener’s braille-reading machine with surtitle translations, enhancing accessibility for vision-impaired patrons.
Why it matters:
- Increased accessibility: The technology provides blind and low-vision audiences with a more immersive and equal experience, allowing them to fully engage with live opera performances.
- Innovative advancement: This world-first technology sets a precedent for other opera companies and live performance venues to adopt similar inclusive measures, potentially revolutionizing accessibility in the arts.
- Enhanced cultural participation: By making performances more accessible, the technology encourages a broader audience to enjoy and participate in classical music, promoting inclusivity and diversity within the cultural community.
