Nimbus Disability is a social enterprise and an organisation run by and for disabled people and is recognised as a lead authority on accessible ticketing in the UK.

Nimbus developed The Access Card in response to frustrations shared by disabled people and a major live music promoter in how disability was evidenced and needs for reasonable adjustments communicated:

• For disabled people, the frustration was in repeatedly sending in personal documents which bore no direct relation to the needs of the individual.
• For the venues, it was frustration in interpreting these documents and the additional admin burden it placed on their staff.

Since its initial development, the card is now widely accepted at major event venues across the UK and beyond, and even more widely taken simply at face value.

Through our partnership with Nimbus Disability and The Access Card scheme, we have launched an access registration scheme which will enable customers access requirements being linked to their Customs House account, allowing them to choose the right seating requirements for all bookings for which we have access tickets available.

Visitors with access requirements who wish to qualify for any access discounts available at the time of booking must register their requirements through The Access Card scheme (sometimes referred to as the CredAbility Card or a Nimbus Card). This ensures the right tickets are sold to the right people.

There are two ways you can register:

1. THE JOSEPH ROWNTREEE THEATRE ONLY

Completing the Joseph Rowntree Theatre access registration will permit the card to be recognised at The Joseph Rowntree Theatre only, and it will be valid for three years.

To complete your free Joseph Rowntree Theatre access registration, click here.

2. FULL ACCESS CARD

The full Access Card costs £15 for three years of membership. The full card provides you with the same benefits as the free registration, as well as:

• Recognised at venues across the UK & beyond
• Potential free companion tickets at events and venues across the UK
• Receive a Photo ID card with symbols relating to accessibility needs
• Informative online access directory
• Access to a closed Facebook Community group

To register a full Access Card for £15 for three years, click here.

When you register, Nimbus Disability will handle all your information securely and safely without us ever having cause to see the details behind why you need accessible seating options.

If you are not able to use online forms and would be unable, because of the nature of your impairment, to access online sales you do still need to register. Nimbus will be able to assist with telephone registration on 0330 808 5108.

The scheme is run by Nimbus Disability Consultancy. Nimbus is an organisation of disabled people which specialises in the legislation behind The Equality Act and other legislation like Welfare Benefits.

The following information is taken from the Access Card website:

• Nimbus Disability have to see that you have an impairment that results in needs in line with the Equality Act. This is just as relevant for children as it is for adults. Provider policies on things like free tickets may vary on age though.
• For children, and young children especially; the +1 can only be considered where the needs are outside of the range of what can be expected of parental responsibility – even if this means that your child needs more support or supervision than another child of similar age.
• The decision to add +1 is not based on care needs, but on the disadvantage imposed by charging additional fees for a carer to attend. At events where you would be attending with your child as part of the family group, you will be charged as a fee-paying parent just like all other family groups enjoying an event.
• The +1 can only be considered where the support you require results in the cost of a carer ticket being an unreasonable barrier to your being able to attend.
• Remember – this is not about whether your child needs care and support but whether the cost of a ticket for the person providing that care and support should be waived as a reasonable adjustment.
• For many, including older people; you may not think of yourself as a ‘disabled person’ but may have medical conditions that still have an impact on you.

The following information is taken from the Access Card website:

• The +1 symbol represents the right to a free or reduced-price ticket for your essential companion to support you to access a venue’s facilities.
• This is not a buy one get one free scheme but a reasonable adjustment to enable you to attend an event you otherwise would not be able to.
• We can only award this symbol where an individual’s needs are so significant or substantial that, without support, they would be at a significant disadvantage when visiting paid-for events.
• The support needed must be significant and substantial and in excess of what could be reasonably expected of family/friends already accompanying you. The support must be due to disability-related needs.
• For children, and young children especially; the +1 can only be considered where the needs are outside of the range of what can be expected of parental responsibility – even if this means that your child needs more support or supervision than another child of similar age.
• The decision to add +1 is not based on care needs, but on the disadvantage imposed by charging additional fees for a carer to attend. At events where you would be attending with your child as part of the family group you will be charged as a fee-paying parent just like all other family groups enjoying an event.
• The +1 can only be considered where the support you require results in the cost of a carer ticket being an unreasonable barrier to your being able to attend.
• Remember – this is not about whether your child needs care and support but whether the cost of a ticket for the person providing that care and support should be waived as a reasonable adjustment.

We expect your Access Card application to be processed by Nimbus Disability within 7 days.

If you already have an Access Card you just need to let us know your Nimbus registration number and you are ready to go!

You can link your registration number to your Joseph Rowntree Theatre account by clicking here. 

• Once you have your Nimbus registration number, which has been linked to your Joseph Rowntree Theatre account, you will be able to book access tickets online.
• You can also call or visit our Box Office to book tickets. Our Box Office is open 10am to 2pm, Monday to Saturday. Call 01904 501935.

When booking online:

• Select the Access ticket option for your ticket.
• If you have been awarded the +1 symbol, select an Essential Companion ticket for the person accompanying you. The cost of the Essential Companion ticket will be reduced to £0 once you checkout.
• Please note that you must be logged into your Joseph Rowntree Theatre account for the discount to be applied.

You may find an answer to your question by visiting the Access Card website Click Here to read their FAQs.

If your question relates to using your Access Card at The Joseph Rowntree Theatre, please email boxoffice@jrtheatre.co.uk or call us on 01904 501935. Lines are open 10am to 2pm, Monday to Saturday.