Accessibility TipSheet Wheelchair Accessible Seats - The John F ...
Accessibility TipSheet Wheelchair Accessible Seats - The John F ...
Accessibility TipSheet Wheelchair Accessible Seats - The John F ...
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<strong>Accessibility</strong> <strong>TipSheet</strong><br />
<strong>Wheelchair</strong> <strong>Accessible</strong> <strong>Seats</strong>: Examples of Hold and<br />
Release Policies<br />
From the Access Office<br />
Good theater business and box office practices include policies and procedures that ensure the availability of<br />
wheelchair accessible locations for use by those who need the accessible locations. Part of the policy may be to<br />
release the seats for sale to the general public when not sold to wheelchair users to maximize potential ticket<br />
income.<br />
<strong>The</strong> focus of the policies and procedures is always on creating access to tickets and seating that is equal for<br />
wheelchair and non-wheelchair users. Keep policies and procedures as simple as possible. Complex hold and<br />
release policies are harder to explain to your patrons and leave more opportunity for mistakes to be made.<br />
<strong>The</strong> following are three examples of hold and release policies for wheelchair accessible seating locations. <strong>The</strong>se<br />
policies are situation specific. Keep in mind that what works in one theater may not work in another. Take the<br />
time to develop the policies that fit your organization.<br />
SAMPLE ONE<br />
(This is as short and simple as it can get.)<br />
All wheelchair locations and their adjacent companion seat will be held for purchase exclusively by wheelchair or<br />
scooter users until the last non-wheelchair accessible location/seat is sold. At that time, all wheelchair locations<br />
are released for sale on a first-come, first-served basis to both wheelchair and non-wheelchair users. No proof of<br />
disability is required for a patron to purchase wheelchair accessible locations and companion seats.<br />
SAMPLE TWO<br />
(This policy takes into account the common practice of holding seats for various reasons such as press holds,<br />
development holds, and company holds. <strong>The</strong> holds are released when not used for their intended purpose for<br />
sale to the general public.)<br />
Designated wheelchair accessible seating locations and companion seats are sold to patrons who use<br />
wheelchairs or scooters on a first-come, first-served basis. No proof of disability is required for a patron to<br />
purchase these seats. <strong>Wheelchair</strong> accessible seats and companion seats are designated on the ticketing system<br />
and are sold by phone, in-person at the Box Office, via the website, or through mail order. Designated wheelchair<br />
accessible seating locations are released for sale at full price to the general public either incrementally per the<br />
following schedule or when all other seats available for sale in the theater have been sold and all other<br />
departmental or company holds have been released.<br />
Unsold wheelchair locations will be released for sale per the following schedule:<br />
o 14 days out - Release half of any remaining unsold wheelchair and companion seats.<br />
o 7 days out - Release half of the remaining wheelchair and companion , but leave 2 wheelchair and 2<br />
companion seats.<br />
o 48 hours out - Release all remaining unsold wheelchair and companion seats UNLESS Press and<br />
Development have not released their holds. If Press and Development still have seats on hold, two<br />
wheelchair accessible and two companion seats will be held until all Press and Development seats are<br />
released. When all other holds have been released, the two unsold wheelchair accessible and companion<br />
seats may be released.<br />
<strong>The</strong> patron who requires the use of wheelchair accessible seating locations may purchase one companion seat at<br />
the same price as the wheelchair location for the same performance, date, and time. <strong>The</strong> patron may buy as<br />
many other seats as they wish, and are available, at full price, and the sales service staff will make every effort to<br />
seat the party as close as possible to the accessible locations.<br />
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© 2008 <strong>The</strong> <strong>John</strong> F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
SAMPLE THREE<br />
(This sample is excerpted in part directly from a settlement agreement between the Washington National Opera<br />
and the U.S. Department of Justice <strong>The</strong> full settlement can be found at<br />
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/washoper.htm.)<br />
In order to ensure that individuals with disabilities have the same opportunities to participate in, and benefit from,<br />
the Opera’s goods and services in a manner equal to that afforded to other individuals, the Opera agrees to the<br />
following:<br />
a. <strong>The</strong> Opera will designate and reserve wheelchair accessible seats and companion seats, as prescribed<br />
in the ADA Standards 4.1.3 (19), exclusively for purchase by persons with disabilities and their<br />
companions for every performance;<br />
b. At least one companion seat will be provided next to each designated wheelchair accessible seat, as<br />
prescribed in the ADA Standards 4.33.3, and sold at the same ticket price as the ticket for the<br />
wheelchair accessible seat;<br />
c. Designated wheelchair accessible seating and companion seating will be physically dispersed<br />
throughout the auditorium so as to ensure people with disabilities a choice of admission prices and<br />
lines of sight comparable to that of the general public as prescribed in the ADA Standards 4.33.3;<br />
d. Designated wheelchair accessible seating and companion seating will be permitted to be released for<br />
sale to the public, including patrons who do not have disabilities, as set forth in the paragraph below.<br />
Releasing <strong>Wheelchair</strong> <strong>Accessible</strong> and Companion <strong>Seats</strong>: Designated wheelchair accessible and companion<br />
seating locations shall be reserved exclusively for purchase by persons with and their companions with the<br />
following exceptions:<br />
a. Three days (72 hours) after all non-accessible seating is sold out in the entire auditorium, <strong>The</strong><br />
Washington Opera shall be permitted to release one half of the unsold designated wheelchair<br />
accessible and companion seating locations for sale to the public, including patrons who do not have<br />
disabilities;<br />
b. One week (168 hours) before a performance, <strong>The</strong> Washington Operashall be permitted to release one<br />
half of the remaining unsold designated wheelchair accessible and companion seating locations for<br />
sale to the public, including patrons who do not have disabilities;<br />
c. Within 24 hours of the show, <strong>The</strong> Washington Opera shall be permitted to release any remaining<br />
unsold designated wheelchairaccessible and companion seating locations for sale to the public,<br />
including patrons who do not have disabilities.<br />
About <strong>TipSheet</strong>s<br />
<strong>TipSheet</strong>s are produced collaboratively with members of the Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD)<br />
network. <strong>TipSheet</strong>s may not be altered or used for financial gain, and are intended solely as guidance and are<br />
not a determination of an organization’s legal rights and responsibilities. Individuals are welcome to copy and<br />
distribute this <strong>TipSheet</strong>.<br />
Contact Us<br />
202-416-8727 (voice)<br />
202-416-8728 (TTY)<br />
access@kennedy-center.org<br />
STEPHEN A. SCHWARZMAN, Chairman<br />
MICHAEL M. KAISER, President<br />
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© 2008 <strong>The</strong> <strong>John</strong> F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts