Film festival presents new theater ramp design; committee presses for emergency egress and audio description

A representative of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival described plans to replace a vertical lift with a new code-compliant switchback ramp at the festival’s downtown theater entrance, presenting dimensions and interior accessibility features to the Access Advisory Committee.

"The ramp will consist of three segments, each approximately 18 feet in length," the representative said, describing handrails, guardrails and an entrance foyer that will provide direct access to accessible box-office counters and 34-inch high concession and customer-service counters. The presenter said the design meets the California Building Code’s opening-force requirement for the swinging doors.

Nut graf: Committee members welcomed the changes as increasing access for a broad range of visitors — from caregivers and stroller users to people with mobility devices — and asked follow-up questions about emergency exits, audio-description tracks for films and a hearing loop for theaters.

Emergency egress and lower-level theaters Committee members asked whether the renovation would permit an accessible emergency egress from lower-level theaters. The presenter said the theaters are below ground level and that retrofitting emergency exits could require chairlifts or other substantial alterations: "We will look into it," the presenter said. Another staff member noted one side exit has about eight steps and that ramping the long hallway to the back door could be challenging.

Audio description and hearing loop Committee members asked about plans to provide audio description for visually impaired patrons and to partner with local nonprofits. The film festival representative said festival staff will request audio-description tracks from distributors when available and will "provide it as much as possible." The presenter also confirmed a hearing loop will be installed in all theaters.

Community reaction Committee members praised the ramp renderings and said they expect the ramp to improve access for older adults and families. "My 90-year-old mom is going to be able to use it happily," one member said.

Next steps The festival representative said staff and project architects were available to answer additional technical questions and that the project will proceed with building-permit and code-check steps. Committee members asked staff to continue following emergency-egress possibilities and to explore local partnerships to expand audio-description availability.