Equipment Loans

Produce accessible events with our equipment.

Two ASL interpreters interpret dialogue. In the background is open captioning. To the right two actors perform in a play.

Lay the groundwork for accessibility

Want to produce accessible events, but don’t have the budget for equipment? We offer free short-term equipment loans to Chicago-area cultural organizations. Learn more about how the equipment works in your venue and begin your outreach efforts today. Budget for your own equipment in the future, after you’ve demonstrated to colleagues that accessibility efforts are possible in your own organization.

If you’re from a cultural organization in the Chicago area, fill out a request below. Email Equip@CulturalAccessCollab.org for any questions. You can also check out our Accessible Equipment Loan Program Handbook for a detailed explanation of the borrowing process, or watch the archived Equipment Loan Program How-To program on our YouTube Page.

Please note that as of 2020, all Equipment Loan pick up and drop off is at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, located at 2430 N. Cannon Drive.

Our Accessible Equipment Loan Program is made possible in part by the PERT Foundation and Michael and Mona Heath Fund. Special thanks to Chicago Academy of Sciences / Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.

“[Cultural Access Collab] has provided invaluable support through free workshops, organizational tools, equipment loans, and always being a safe and welcoming space to ask for help.

The arts community in Chicago is becoming more for people with disabilities (and everyone) each day thanks to the amazing work [Cultural Access Collab] does!”

– Theater Administrator

Check out equipment for your next event!

Stationary Audio Description Kit

FEATURES:

  • Includes stationary FM transmitter, headsets and portable induction hearing “neck” loops, and stenographer mask.
  • Facilitating delivery of live audio description by a trained Audio Describer
  • Benefits visitors who are blind or have low vision in a stationary performance or lecture setting.
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FEATURES:

  • Includes stationary FM transmitter, headsets and portable induction hearing “neck” loops.
  • When connected to your organization’s PA system, transmits mic’d sound directly to headsets (or neck loops) and earphones worn by individual audience members.
  • Benefits guests who are hard of hearing in a stationary performance or lecture setting.
BORROW THIS EQUIPMENT

Stationary Assistive Listening System

Portable FM System

FEATURES:

  • Includes portable microphone and transmitter, headsets, portable induction hearing “neck” loops.
  • Benefits visitors who have hearing loss in a tour setting, or for venues without an amplification system.
  • This portable FM system can also be used to deliver audio description narration during mobile tours and events.
BORROW THIS EQUIPMENT

FEATURES:

  • Your organization may choose between either a digital projector and screen or one or two 43″ flat-screen televisions — whatever best supports your presentation.
  • Benefits visitors who are D/deaf or hard of hearing in a stationary venue.
  • Does NOT include a computer for connecting to a projector or flat-screen. That equipment must be provided by the borrowing organization. 
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DIY Captioning Equipment