For many people, going to the theater, catching a concert by a favorite artist, or watching a film at the cinema feels normal and easy. But a portion of the population faces real barriers. Those with hearing loss or visual impairments often can’t participate fully because venues don’t always offer options that meet their needs. In Spain, more than 1,200,000 people have some degree of hearing difficulty, and over 1.5 million live with low vision, highlighting a substantial accessibility gap in cultural events.
Over the years, efforts to open cultural experiences to everyone have grown. New regulations aim to prevent discrimination and LEVEL the playing field, introducing measures to offset initial disadvantages: Royal Decree 193/2023 will take effect next year. At the regional level, the Accessibility Code in Catalonia followed on November 28, 2023.
What does the decree cover?
Royal Decree No. 193/2023, dated March 21, 2023, establishes basic conditions for access and use of public goods and services for people with disabilities. It applies to venues such as cinemas, theaters, and libraries.
The decree, rooted in the General Law on the Rights and Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities from 2013, aims to advance a regulatory framework that had been pending. It aligns with the broader Agenda 2030 initiative pursued by the Ministry of Social Rights.
A key feature in paragraph 2, Article 23, states: publicly owned stage areas should include magnetic induction systems and a display of subtitles and audio description. This ensures that audiences with sensory disabilities can grasp what is being shown. For privately owned performance spaces, the transition will be approached progressively from these resources.
Front row access
Magnetic induction systems, also called magnetic loops, help listeners hear performances more clearly. Subtitles on screens assist not only deaf audiences but also language learners. Audio description describes on‑stage events for visually impaired attendees, helping them follow the action. In addition, people with sensory disabilities will be granted priority access to front-row seating in cultural services, conferences, and demonstrations.
Anecdotal beginnings
Until now, the use of sign language at concerts or other accessibility measures depended on the goodwill of institutions, producers, and artists. With the decree, these practices become standard. This shift is widely recognized as a major step forward. Francina Cortés and Núria Martorell, co‑directors of the Encantades Association, describe it as moving beyond mere anecdotes toward a universal need being met.
In addition, people with disabilities may be accompanied by assistants or support staff and will receive prioritized attention tailored to their needs, without extra cost. Training for staff and greater awareness are essential for successful implementation. “There will be gradual changes: performance spaces must be equipped, and staff must be trained to understand accessibility’s importance,” notes Catalina Martín from the Accessible Theater Association.
What impact will this have?
A central point of the decree is the distinction between public and private organizations, affording the private sector more time and flexibility to comply. It also differentiates between new and existing goods and services: new measures are mandatory for new offerings, while existing ones must implement reasonable adjustments where feasible. The decree defines a reasonable adjustment as a modification that does not impose a disproportionate or undue burden.
Now the practical question is when implementation begins. The decree becomes effective on March 23, 2024, but there is a grace period for rollout. For new goods and services organized or supplied by public administrations, January 1, 2025 marks a year from now.
Even if it costs, this is a necessary investment
Existing goods and services that can accommodate reasonable changes have more flexibility. The essential updates should be completed by January 1, 2026 for publicly or privately owned properties managed by the Public Administration, and by January 1, 2030 for other privately owned goods and services. Making works accessible often requires different audio and subtitle configurations for each production. “Even if it costs money, it is a necessary expense. The number of people with sensory disabilities is rising, and they deserve access to culture,” emphasizes Martín, head of Communications and Audiences at Teatro Accessible, a project focused on embedding accessibility in theater.
The adaptation process
At first glance, a concert and a deaf person might seem incompatible, yet the reality is quite different. Sign language is not only for those who are deaf; it helps people with autism, Down syndrome, Asperger’s, or multiple sclerosis, enabling them to enjoy a concert in a meaningful way.
Spain already hosts several initiatives to make theater and music more accessible. Associations such as Barrier-Free Theater and other advocacy groups submit inclusion proposals. Venues like Teatre Lliure and Poliorama Theater already offer these opportunities. While centralization remains a challenge, it is increasingly feasible to watch a play with audio description or subtitles in major cities like Barcelona or Madrid compared with more remote regions of the peninsula.