Accessibility TipSheet Wheelchair Accessible Seats - The John F ...

Accessibility TipSheet
Wheelchair Accessible Seats: Examples of Hold and
Release Policies
From the Access Office
Good theater business and box office practices include policies and procedures that ensure the availability of
wheelchair accessible locations for use by those who need the accessible locations. Part of the policy may be to
release the seats for sale to the general public when not sold to wheelchair users to maximize potential ticket
income.
The focus of the policies and procedures is always on creating access to tickets and seating that is equal for
wheelchair and non-wheelchair users. Keep policies and procedures as simple as possible. Complex hold and
release policies are harder to explain to your patrons and leave more opportunity for mistakes to be made.
The following are three examples of hold and release policies for wheelchair accessible seating locations. These
policies are situation specific. Keep in mind that what works in one theater may not work in another. Take the
time to develop the policies that fit your organization.
SAMPLE ONE
(This is as short and simple as it can get.)
All wheelchair locations and their adjacent companion seat will be held for purchase exclusively by wheelchair or
scooter users until the last non-wheelchair accessible location/seat is sold. At that time, all wheelchair locations
are released for sale on a first-come, first-served basis to both wheelchair and non-wheelchair users. No proof of
disability is required for a patron to purchase wheelchair accessible locations and companion seats.
SAMPLE TWO
(This policy takes into account the common practice of holding seats for various reasons such as press holds,
development holds, and company holds. The holds are released when not used for their intended purpose for
sale to the general public.)
Designated wheelchair accessible seating locations and companion seats are sold to patrons who use
wheelchairs or scooters on a first-come, first-served basis. No proof of disability is required for a patron to
purchase these seats. Wheelchair accessible seats and companion seats are designated on the ticketing system
and are sold by phone, in-person at the Box Office, via the website, or through mail order. Designated wheelchair
accessible seating locations are released for sale at full price to the general public either incrementally per the
following schedule or when all other seats available for sale in the theater have been sold and all other
departmental or company holds have been released.
Unsold wheelchair locations will be released for sale per the following schedule:
o 14 days out - Release half of any remaining unsold wheelchair and companion seats.
o 7 days out - Release half of the remaining wheelchair and companion , but leave 2 wheelchair and 2
companion seats.
o 48 hours out - Release all remaining unsold wheelchair and companion seats UNLESS Press and
Development have not released their holds. If Press and Development still have seats on hold, two
wheelchair accessible and two companion seats will be held until all Press and Development seats are
released. When all other holds have been released, the two unsold wheelchair accessible and companion
seats may be released.
The patron who requires the use of wheelchair accessible seating locations may purchase one companion seat at
the same price as the wheelchair location for the same performance, date, and time. The patron may buy as
many other seats as they wish, and are available, at full price, and the sales service staff will make every effort to
seat the party as close as possible to the accessible locations.
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© 2008 The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

SAMPLE THREE
(This sample is excerpted in part directly from a settlement agreement between the Washington National Opera
and the U.S. Department of Justice The full settlement can be found at
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/washoper.htm.)
In order to ensure that individuals with disabilities have the same opportunities to participate in, and benefit from,
the Opera’s goods and services in a manner equal to that afforded to other individuals, the Opera agrees to the
following:
a. The Opera will designate and reserve wheelchair accessible seats and companion seats, as prescribed
in the ADA Standards 4.1.3 (19), exclusively for purchase by persons with disabilities and their
companions for every performance;
b. At least one companion seat will be provided next to each designated wheelchair accessible seat, as
prescribed in the ADA Standards 4.33.3, and sold at the same ticket price as the ticket for the
wheelchair accessible seat;
c. Designated wheelchair accessible seating and companion seating will be physically dispersed
throughout the auditorium so as to ensure people with disabilities a choice of admission prices and
lines of sight comparable to that of the general public as prescribed in the ADA Standards 4.33.3;
d. Designated wheelchair accessible seating and companion seating will be permitted to be released for
sale to the public, including patrons who do not have disabilities, as set forth in the paragraph below.
Releasing Wheelchair Accessible and Companion Seats: Designated wheelchair accessible and companion
seating locations shall be reserved exclusively for purchase by persons with and their companions with the
following exceptions:
a. Three days (72 hours) after all non-accessible seating is sold out in the entire auditorium, The
Washington Opera shall be permitted to release one half of the unsold designated wheelchair
accessible and companion seating locations for sale to the public, including patrons who do not have
disabilities;
b. One week (168 hours) before a performance, The Washington Operashall be permitted to release one
half of the remaining unsold designated wheelchair accessible and companion seating locations for
sale to the public, including patrons who do not have disabilities;
c. Within 24 hours of the show, The Washington Opera shall be permitted to release any remaining
unsold designated wheelchairaccessible and companion seating locations for sale to the public,
including patrons who do not have disabilities.
About TipSheets
TipSheets are produced collaboratively with members of the Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD)
network. TipSheets may not be altered or used for financial gain, and are intended solely as guidance and are
not a determination of an organization’s legal rights and responsibilities. Individuals are welcome to copy and
distribute this TipSheet.
Contact Us
202-416-8727 (voice)
202-416-8728 (TTY)
access@kennedy-center.org
STEPHEN A. SCHWARZMAN, Chairman
MICHAEL M. KAISER, President
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© 2008 The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts