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March 20, 2025
When George Braddy decided to relocate from Montreal to Windsor during the Covid-19 pandemic to be closer to family, he thought a great way to learn more about his new home would be to integrate himself into its arts and culture scene. Having recently retired from his successful accounting career, George wanted to stay active and enjoy his post-working life, and as a lifelong fan of music across a variety of genres, attending live performances by the Windsor Symphony Orchestra was something he wanted to do.
But there was a problem. George has low vision, and as a person with significant vision loss, he was worried there would be barriers to his accessing the WSO.
“Enjoying the show is not a problem,” said Braddy, who at 75 began losing his vision after he retired from his many years of staring at numbers on a computer screen. “The performance is partly visual, but it’s mostly what you’re hearing and my hearing is as good as it’s ever been. The issue for me is getting to the event, getting to my seat, using the stairs… the theatre is darker than outside and vision issues multiply when you are in a dark room.”
George was understandably hesitant about attending a concert in an unfamiliar environment. But then, while attending a local wellness fair, he met WSO Marketing Manager, Monica Bunde. She assured him that WSO staff are there to make sure any patron with accessibility needs is welcome and accommodated.
“Once they learned I have vision issues the ushers began to take extra care to get me to my seat and get me in and out of the theatre without tripping,” George said. “Their response has been amazing.”
George is now a regular patron of the WSO’s Café Concert Series, held in an intimate, café-style setting on the Capitol Theatre stage. A brief health setback kept him from attending performances through the fall, but he said his recent experience at the Celebrating Black Composers Café Concert was a particular thrill and exposed him to the works of composers Adolphus Hailstork and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. He also took in a performance of Handel’s Messiah and plans on attending more WSO events over the course of the season.
“Not being from around here, I feel more a part of the community when I go to these events,” George said.
Making sure symphony and theatre staff are informed when a patron requires assistance is key to the WSO’s accommodation policy, said Rebecca Ng, WSO Education and Community Outreach Manager. Simple things like listening to patrons, being aware of their specific accessibility needs, and asking if someone needs assistance go a long way towards ensuring anyone who requires that extra level of care is welcome.
Anyone who requires accommodation, from individual patrons to groups from long-term care and retirement homes, is encouraged to call the WSO box office at 519-973-1238 in advance of their visit to make sure staff is apprised of their needs.
George said his experience at the WSO and the friendships he had forged with other concert goers is indicative of the importance of arts and culture in the community and he encourages others who may be experiencing accessibility issues to get out and explore everything Windsor and Essex County has to offer.
“Asking for help is not a weakness,” George said. “If you have limitations, if you have any issues that would present you from going to these types of venues, don’t assume that no one can help you. Talk to people. You’ll be surprised at how helpful people are. When I go to the Windsor Symphony Orchestra I feel like part of the family.”
