Executive Summary
In a world where access to live entertainment often excludes the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community, Coliseo de Puerto Rico launched Sign Check—a pioneering pilot program in sign language accessibility that brings the energy and emotion of live music to all fans, regardless of hearing ability. By offering certified sign language interpreters at all concerts and events, Sign Check ensures that the Deaf community can fully engage with lyrics, rhythm, and onstage storytelling, fostering a more inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone.
This initiative is more than a service—it’s a movement toward accessibility and cultural equity in the premium entertainment space. As part of the Coliseo’s broader Premium Services strategy, Sign Check aligns with the venue’s mission to redefine what a luxury live experience can look like—not only exceptional in comfort, but also in inclusion.
Through strategic interpreter placement, training, artist collaboration, and guest education, Sign Check transforms concerts into multisensory experiences. In becoming the first venue in the Americas to pilot an ongoing program of this kind, Coliseo de Puerto Rico has not only expanded access—it’s reshaped the narrative around premium hospitality and accessibility. Sign Check reflects the core values of the Coliseo: community, innovation, and intentional inclusivity, creating ripple effects across the live entertainment industry.
Submitting Organization: Coliseo de Puerto Rico
Detailed Nomination
Overview
In February 2025, Coliseo de Puerto Rico launched Sign Check, a bold, thoughtfully designed pilot program aimed at making live concerts and events more accessible for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. While Premium Services often focus on luxury seating and high-end hospitality, Sign Check adds a powerful new dimension: accessibility that is inclusive by design, not by exception.
As part of the venue’s commitment to delivering meaningful and elevated experiences to all guests, this initiative integrates seamlessly into our Premium Services philosophy—where “premium” means not only physical comfort and exclusive access, but emotional connection and cultural inclusion.
The program features certified Puerto Rican Sign Language (LSP) interpreters who are strategically placed at select concerts and events to interpret not just lyrics, but also emotion, rhythm, and storytelling. These interpreters become part of the show—bringing Deaf fans into the full artistic experience in real time.
Sign Check was created from a belief that the live entertainment experience should resonate with every voice, rhythm, and story—and that the Deaf community deserves to feel the same electricity and joy as any other fan. In launching this pilot, Coliseo de Puerto Rico became the first venue in the Americas to implement a program of this scope and structure, marking a new chapter in the venue’s leadership in hospitality and social responsibility.
Innovation & Impact
Sign Check stands out as one of the first structured, ongoing pilot programs for sign language interpretation at a major entertainment venue in Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, and the Americas. Developed in close collaboration with the local Deaf community, certified interpreters, and accessibility advocates, Sign Check ensures both cultural and linguistic integrity.
Key features that make the program impactful and scalable:
Standardized interpreter placement in accessible viewing zones, offering unobstructed sightlines and guest comfort.
Artist-approved interpretations and coordination with production teams to rehearse lyrics, tempo, and key performance cues.
Outreach to Deaf community organizations, including allocated seating and awareness campaigns.
Onsite support from Premium Services staff for guests using Sign Check, ensuring a smooth and welcoming arrival.
Rather than treating accessibility as a compliance checklist, Sign Check embraces it as a creative and emotional element of the concert experience—translating beats, emotion, and cultural nuance into powerful visual language.
Results & Success Metrics
As a pilot initiative, Sign Check has yielded strong early results:
Over 25 major concerts included sign language interpreters within the program’s first year.
Hundreds of Deaf and hard-of-hearing fans engaged through outreach, community partnerships, and accessible viewing areas.
Featured in major media outlets like El Nuevo Día and Primera Hora, driving awareness around accessibility in entertainment.
Social media clips of interpreters went viral, accumulating millions of views and sparking broad conversations about inclusivity.
Earned formal recognition from Deaf advocacy organizations in Puerto Rico for its cultural sensitivity and groundbreaking approach.
Most importantly, Deaf guests have shared moving testimonials, describing Sign Check as their first truly immersive concert experience—one that allowed them to feel equally part of the crowd, the energy, and the music.
Industry Influence
Sign Check is not only transforming access at Coliseo—it’s setting a precedent for how Premium Services can evolve to include intentional accessibility as a defining pillar. The program demonstrates that luxury experiences are not just about price or exclusivity—they’re about thoughtful design and emotional resonance for all.
As the first venue in the Americas to pilot an initiative like Sign Check, Coliseo de Puerto Rico is paving the way for other promoters, artists, and venues to follow suit. By merging accessibility with high-quality service and production values, Sign Check is reimagining what a world-class concert experience truly means.
As the program moves forward, we continue to refine the model, build best practices, and welcome new collaborators. Sign Check represents a future where inclusive excellence becomes a standard of hospitality—not an exception.
