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Abravanel Hall Accessibility

Utah Symphony | Utah Opera is committed to making all of our programs accessible to people with disabilities. It is our goal to integrate accessibility in all we do, including our programming, community engagement, and overall audience experience.

For information regarding accessibility features and recommendations for your visit at Utah Symphony | Utah Opera performances, please see below or contact our Access Services Administrator, Melissa Robison at [email protected] or 801-869-9067.

We understand that accessibility needs and standards are shifting daily so if you see something you would like us to implement or change, we would love to connect with you.

REQUEST AN ACCOMMODATION

PATRONS WHO ARE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING

Assisted hearing devices are available by request at coat check. FM radio system (30 units)

ASL-INTERPRETED PERFORMANCES

A limited number of seats are held for patrons who want close, direct visibility of our ASL Interpreters during these performances. Please contact Patron Services for assistance with these accommodations.

To request additional ASL (American Sign Language) interpreters or reserve an assistive listening device, please contact [email protected] no later than 7 days prior to your ticketed event date.

CLOSED CAPTIONED PERFORMANCES

PERFORMANCES WITH SUPERTITLES

Any choral aspects of our music will have supertitles or text in the playbill.

PATRONS WHO ARE BLIND OR HAVE LOW VISION

PROGRAMS

Braille or Large Print programs are available by advance request, only. To request a custom program, contact our Access Services Administrator, Melissa Robison, at [email protected] or 801-869-9067 at least one week in advance of your performance date.

Digital programs and information are available online and compatible for screen readers.

SEATING

Requests to sit near the stage may be available – please contact Patron Services for assistance.

PATRONS WHO HAVE MOBILITY DISABILITIES

WHEELCHAIR, LIMITED MOBILITY & BARIATRIC SEATING

Patrons requiring accessible seating accommodations must request them at their point of purchase. Purchasing a “wheelchair” designated seat will prompt the buyer to specify if an open space to accommodate a wheelchair is needed, or if an installed-seat is required.  

Patrons may purchase (1) accessible seat and up to (3) adjacent companion seats, pending availability, for a total of (4) tickets. If you would like additional friends or family to sit near you, let us know and we will do our best to accommodate your request! Abravanel Hall offers wheelchair-accessible seating on the Orchestra level (sides of rows 2 and 4), and on the ends of the first row of the 1st Tier (center, Section D).

Seats that have removable arm rests (“Transfer” seats) and Bariatric seats are also available.

TRANSFER SEATS

Transfer seats are aisle seats with adjustable armrests located in various locations around the hall. These accessible seats are ideal for patrons who want to transfer from their wheelchair into a seat for the duration of the performance, or for those with mobility or size restraints. Due to the limited space adjacent to these seats, wheelchairs or mobility devices will be stored outside the nearest doorway.

For patrons who would like to use a Transfer seat, but keep their mobility device with them at all times, please contact Patron Services for assistance with these accommodations.

ARRIVING AT MAURICE ABRAVANEL HALL

PARKING

Limited accessible parking is available along the south side of South Temple (in front of Abravanel Hall’s Ticket Office), between 200 W and West Temple. For busy weekends, please plan to arrive as early as possible for best availability.

PASSENGER DROP OFF/LOADING ZONE

10-minute parking is conveniently located in the driveway just outside the Abravanel Hall Ticket Office, accessible eastbound on South Temple (between 200 W. and West Temple).

If you have coordinated a wheelchair transfer through ArtTix or have wheelchair-accessible seating on the Orchestra level (row 2 or 4), please use the entrance located ¾ of the way down the alley on the west side of Abravanel Hall (entrance to this alley is accessible eastbound from South Temple). The curb is cut to accommodate wheelchair access and is painted blue and white. (PLEASE NOTE: No patron parking available in alley; drop off only). Drive down the alley to the secure gate and press “help” on the screen to contact Salt Palace Security. You will need to identify yourself as an Abravanel Hall Patron needing access to the ADA entrance.

INSIDE MAURICE ABRAVANEL HALL

ELEVATORS & ESCALATORS

The elevator located in the south west corner of Abravanel Hall’s lobby brings patrons to all levels of Abravanel Hall.

Escalators are available from the Ticket Office to the Plaza level on the west end of Abravanel Hall.

ENTRANCES

Accessible Automatic Doors are available at the following locations: Main entrance at the plaza/lobby level, drop off area down the alley (west side of Abravanel Hall), and Ticket Office at the north entrance.

RESTROOMS, MERCHANDISE AND CONCESSIONS

Accessible restroom stalls are located near the ticket office, and on each level of Abravanel Hall. Two family/private accessible restrooms are available on the main floor of the lobby, next to the elevator.

Merchandise and concessions are located on the main floor and have wheelchair accessible counters. If you need additional assistance seeing the products, the staff and volunteers will be happy to assist.

Drinking Fountains in the lobby are at an accessible height.

NEURODIVERSE INFORMATION

Upon entering Abravanel Hall, you will hear lobby music (possibly live piano or string instruments) at a medium level with sporadic announcements from the overhead speakers. A bell will ring to indicate that seating has begun and the concert will begin soon. The lobby may be full of quite a few people, so if you need extra space or quiet, we recommend waiting until just before the concert starts to come into the hall, or arrive early to enter when the lobby opens.

Weighted lap pads are available upon request at coat check.

Earplugs are available upon request at coat check.

PURCHASING TICKETS

If you need assistance purchasing tickets, please call USUO Patron Services at 801-533-NOTE(6683) or email us at [email protected].

SERVICE ANIMALS

Service animals are permitted in the hall. Emotional support animals, comfort animals, and therapy dogs are not permitted. Each service animal must remain with its owner and be restrained. If a service animal interferes with other guests, corrective action may include re-arranging seating or removal of the service animal from the hall. Some of the seating at Abravanel Hall is compact, leaving little room for service animals to sit comfortably in front of or under your chair. It is recommended to purchase a seat on an aisle.

FREE COMMUNITY CONCERTS

ACCESS TO MUSIC

Sensory-friendly opportunity for all to experience live music without any expectation to remain seated or refrain from audible or physical reactions.

  • House Lights remain on
  • Doors remain open to patrons arriving late or needing to come in and out of the house
  • Patrons are not asked to remain quiet or leave auditorium for noises
  • Supertitles, captions, and ASL interpreters available upon request
  • Lobby monitors and sound are on for those who may be more comfortable out in lobby
  • FREE for all attendees – no ticket required, but please RSVP here.

VISUALLY IMPAIRED NIGHT AT THE OPERA

Dress rehearsal of May opera: Massenet’s Thaïs – Wednesday, May 1, 2024 | 7 PM | Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre 

  • Braille scripts available
  • Large-print synopsis available (all operas)
  • Pre-concert insight into the opera’s story and production presented by Utah Opera Artistic Director, Christopher McBeth, and Director of Community Outreach & Education, Ben Kipp.
  • An interactive tactile demonstration of costume fabrics, wigs, and props
  • Audio Descriptive Services available
  • FREE for all attendees – no ticket required, but please RSVP here.