Theatre Accessibility
Since it opened in 2018, Accessibility has been one of the guiding principles of the mission of LU.CA – Teatro Luís de Camões. The thinking and work developed in this area, beginning with the programme itself, naturally extends across the theatre’s different departments. In 2023, this work received public recognition with the Acesso Cultura Award. The jury highlighted the theatre’s “integrated vision”, “ensuring the provision of physical, intellectual and social accessibility tools”. Two years later, LU.CA received the Acesso Cultura Award in the Clear Language category, recognising its commitment to accessible communication and to making content more approachable for different audiences.
On this page, we present in greater detail the various areas in which LU.CA works to promote accessibility, as well as the resources and tools available to visitors.
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased online. However, you can contact the LU.CA ticket office on 215 939 107 (call to the national landline network) or at bilheteira@lucateatroluisdecamoes.pt for detailed information about purchasing and reserving tickets.
LU.CA offers reduced-price tickets and a range of discounts.
Reduced mobility
LU.CA has reserved seats in the auditorium for people with reduced mobility. These seats must be booked by telephone or email through the ticket office.
There is a parking space reserved for people with reduced mobility at the entrance to the theatre. The toilets are accessible.
Due to the historic nature of the building and the characteristics of its refurbishment, independent access for people with reduced mobility is only possible on the ground floor.
Portuguese Sign Language
LU.CA regularly includes performances with Portuguese Sign Language interpretation in its programme.
PSL interpretation: Hands Voice, Lda.
Laid back Sessions
Laid-back Sessions take place in a more relaxed and welcoming atmosphere and are intended for all individuals and families who prefer a less formal environment in a cultural venue. This may include, for example, people with attention deficit disorders, people with intellectual disabilities, people on the autism spectrum, and people with sensory or communication disabilities. For these performances, adjustments may be made to the lighting, sound and audience welcome, although the final decision rests with the artistic director of each production.
Supervision and support in preparing productions for Laid-back Sessions: Ivo Serra – Educational Psychologist.
“Hello, my name is Ivo and I have been an Educational Psychologist, trained at ISPA-IU, since 2010. I began my professional career as a psychologist at CERCI Lisboa, working with teenagers and young adults with intellectual disabilities in a vocational training context, as well as working as a trainer on a parallel project. Since 2015, I have been Director of Education and Educational Facilities at A Voz do Operário, where I am responsible for three schools, from nursery through to the first cycle of primary education. My career has always been developed from an inclusive perspective, contributing to reflection and development within different teams, with the aim of helping to create contexts that promote everyone’s participation and enjoyment through a collective construction of knowledge.”
Visual Story
A Visual Story is available for every Laid-back Session. Produced by the theatre, it can be downloaded from the website, accessed via a QR code in the foyer, or consulted in printed form on the Middle Floor.
Adapted to the different age groups for which each production is recommended, the Visual Story describes the theatre space and the main moments of the performance in detail, using language suited to its target audience.
Pictographic Guide
In addition to being available for consultation at the theatre ticket office, the Pictographic Guide can also be viewed on our website. This allows audiences to prepare for their visit to the theatre.
Audio Description
For some LU.CA productions, blind and visually impaired audience members can attend Audio-Described Performances. An additional narrative track provides an objective description of all the information perceived visually (facial expressions, the stage environment and other elements) that cannot be understood through listening to the spoken text alone. This description is delivered live during the performance and coordinated with the dialogue and the performers’ work on stage.
One hour before the performance, a pre-show stage familiarisation session takes place. During this guided visit, audience members can touch the materials and forms used in the set, costumes and other elements on stage.
Audio description: Horas Apressadas Produções, Lda, in collaboration with AR Produções, Lda.
Braille Brochure
LU.CA’s brochure in Braille is available for consultation at the theatre ticket office.
Guide Dogs
To ensure that a comfortable space is reserved, please contact the theatre ticket office in advance.
Tactile Paving
At LU.CA, public access areas are equipped with tactile paving, allowing blind and partially sighted visitors to move around more independently and safely. The route extends through the foyer, the stairs and the connections between the theatre’s different levels, including the boxes and Middle Floor. In addition to guiding visitors along the route, the paving also signals areas requiring attention, such as changes in level or stairs.
Audio Description of the theatre’s public spaces
Audio descriptions in Portuguese of the theatre’s various public spaces are available on the LU.CA website. They are designed to help blind and partially sighted visitors prepare for their visit. Through these descriptions, visitors can become more familiar with LU.CA’s spaces and routes before arriving.
Selection of Braille Books from the Audience Public Library
On the Middle Floor, the Audience Public Library includes a selection of books in Braille. This section brings together works by various authors, selected by the artistic teams and connected to the productions in the programme. The collection will be expanded over time, in keeping with LU.CA’s commitment to an increasingly inclusive programme.
Front-of-House Team
In the performances with Audio Description and Laid-back Sessions, a qualified member of the LU.CA team will be available to welcome audiences and provide all necessary information. LU.CA’s aim is to offer a relaxed and welcoming environment that allows children, young people and families to attend performances without the usual restrictions imposed by «theatre rules».
Talks with the artists
What if the writers shared what they think, what inspires them, their ideas and what motivates them to create? What if the actors told us how they learn all their lines? What if the dancers showed us how they perform a particular movement? What if we could see the sets up close? It is through this sharing of knowledge and exchange with the artistic teams that performances become more accessible and relatable to audiences. That is why, whenever possible, LU.CA organises talks with the artists.
Find the dates of LU.CA’s Accessible Performances on the Accessible Performances page.
Latest update:August 05, 2026
