Seating

When providing accessible seating options in your venue, consider the following location and placement issues:

• Widely available options: Accessible seating must be thoughtfully integrated across all sections of a theater or auditorium. These seats should be located to provide patrons with disabilities with choices in location, sightlines, price and ability to sit with ones companions that are comparable to those available to the general audience.
• Other considerations:
  • Audience members may want to have convenient access to parking, transportation, entrances, exits, elevators, restrooms, concessions, and other facilities.
  • Some of your patrons will have multiple disabilities and may want accessible seating near where sign language interpreters and captioning will be provided or closer to stage if they have some vision loss.
  • Will the individual want to transfer or not not transfer from their own mobility device, and if they do transfer can they keep their mobility device beside the or does it need to be stored close by.
  • If the venue is outdoors consider distributing seating in shady and sunny areas, protection from the weather, and the surface quality of pathways leading to accessible seating.
  • A final consideration is what are the emergency evacuation plans for the person seated in the wheelchair accessible seats.

Specific considerations for wheelchair-accessible seats are below:

• Required number of wheelchair-accessible seats: The ADA Standards specify that a percentage of seating must be wheelchair-accessible. This percentage is based on the total number of seats in the venue. See the Resources section for a chart with more details.
• Physical specifications: A single wheelchair-accessible location must have clear level floor space of at least 36 inches wide by 48 inches deep. Two wheelchair locations side by side need only have 33 inches in width each by 48 inches deep. This allows for easy maneuverability if the wheelchair user approaches the location from the front or back, if approached from the side it must be 60 inches deep. Be sure to check the ADA Standards for other requirements.
  • Is this location required to have a removable seat/chair in it? Or can it be an empty space that someone using a mobility device like a wheelchair or scooter can pull up into and remain seated in their own device? The answer is either. The venue can leave a chair in the space and remove it as needed if the user decides they don’t want to transfer to the theater’s chair. Or, the space can be left empty and a movable chair brought in if the user decides they do want to transfer or for the person with a disability who requires the space because they use a walker or other mobility device without its own seat. Any removable chair must be comparable in size, comfort and features as the fixed chair to which it is adjacent.
• Clear pathways: There must be clear, accessible pathways leading to and from wheelchair-accessible seats and other amenities such as restrooms, lounges, foodservice, etc. The pathways should be free from obstructions and connected to accessible routes, including ramps or elevators, to ensure smooth transitions across different levels in multi-level venues.
• Companion seating: At least one companion seat must be provided adjacent to each wheelchair-accessible space. The venue may, if it chooses, hold more than one companion seat. This ensures that individuals with disabilities can enjoy the experience alongside their companions, families and friends. These companion seats must be held in conjunction with the wheelchair-accessible seats, ensuring that they are available for patrons who have purchased an accessible seat.
• Be sure to check the section on Ticketing and Admissions for other conditions and terms for wheelchair accessible and companion seating.

While the ADA Standards of Accessible Design only mandates that wheelchair-accessible seating be designed and built into the venue, additional types of accessible seating should be considered to ensure that patrons with disabilities can fully and comfortably experience the performance or event.

• Wide Seats/Bariatric seating: Wide, larger sized or sometimes called “Bariatric” seating is designed to accommodate individuals who may need extra space and support due to body size. These seats are wider by several inches and may be between 20 and 30 inches wide, designed to support more weight, and may include extra padding for added comfort.
• Priority seating for individuals with limited mobility: Priority seating can be designated for individuals who have mobility impairments but do not use a wheelchair. These seats are usually located on a route that has no steps, near aisles, entrances, and exits for easier access, and do not provide the specific design features of wheelchair-accessible seats.
• Seats with adjustable armrests: Some individuals with limited mobility or conditions like arthritis or who are of a larger body size may find it difficult to navigate seats with fixed armrests. Seats with adjustable armrests that can be raised or lowered can make it easier for patrons to transfer in and out of their seats. Or simply be more comfortable without having to be squeezed between armrests or it may be easier to rotate to get their legs out of the way as people get in and out of the aisle.
• Seats with extra legroom: Some patrons for a variety of reasons, may have difficulty sitting in a theater seat with only a standard amount of legroom. Identifying seats with extra legroom can provide additional space for someone who, for example, needs to stretch their legs, keep a leg elevated, or flex their legs, or allow for more comfort and ease when sitting or getting in and out of the seat.
• Seats near ASL interpreters or captioning: Some theaters may offer seats with unobstructed views and clear sightlines of American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters or captioning displays. Consider that you may have someone who needs access to both a wheelchair location and the sign language interpreter or captioning and plan in advance for how to make that accommodation.
• Seats with vibration or audio enhancements: There is a trend to make experiences more immersive by adding enhanced sound systems, or seats equipped with special features like bass-enhanced vibrations or amplified sound. Mostly these types of seats are being found in movie venues. Some patrons with disabilities may find these to be an enhancement of their experience while others will find them to be a detriment. Consider flexibility for individuals to choose to sit in this type or seat or not, or perhaps to disable the added features.
• Foldable or moveable seats: In venues with flexible seating arrangements, foldable or moveable seats may allow for reconfiguration to accommodate a variety of needs without being fixed to the ground.

When ensuring that your seating options are accessible, it is also helpful to understand how different venues may have more fixed or more flexible seating in place. Considerations for each appear below:

• Fixed seating: For venues with fixed seating, it’s crucial to ensure that the accessible seating is compliant with ADA standards and does not exclude patrons with disabilities.
• Flexible seating: Venues with flexible seating arrangements have the advantage of adjusting to specific requirements, such as accommodating larger mobility devices or rearranging seating for improved sightlines. However, even with flexible seating, ADA standards must be followed to maintain clear, accessible pathways.

Finally, you can instill some additional best practices into your organization’s operations to ensure a positive experience for all patrons, including those who need accessible seating. These best practices include:

• Signage: Accessible seating should be clearly marked with visible signage, available in multiple formats (e.g., braille, large print).
• Staff training: Ensure that staff are trained to assist patrons with disabilities, offering guidance on seating, services, and accommodations.
• Proactive engagement and feedback: Actively engage patrons with disabilities in the design and feedback process to ensure that seating meets their real-world needs. Regularly audit seating arrangements and pathways to identify potential issues and continuously improve accessibility.
• Accessibility as a cultural value: Accessibility should not only be a compliance requirement. but also a cultural value that is embraced throughout the venue.
• Promoting accessibility: Highlight your venue’s commitment to accessibility through marketing materials, ensuring that patrons with disabilities are aware of the accommodations available to them.
• Ticketing and seat reservation practices: For more information about ticketing and seat reservation including general admission, reserved seating, purchasing etc., please visit the Ticketing page of the Hub.