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Accessibility

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Accessibility Services at The Bushnell:

Click an icon to jump to its section.

Wheelchair Accessible

What to expect?

Parking: Look for prominently displayed signage off Capitol Avenue that will direct patrons displaying a valid accessible parking permit to spaces. Accessible spaces are also available in the Buckingham Garage (see a map). Spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Valet parking is also available for most evening and weekend performances on Clinton Street at a cost of $15.00 per vehicle. Note: There is no valet during weekday matinee performances.

Drop Off: Note that there is a good distance from parking to the building. Patrons with accessible needs can utilize the drop off and pick up cut out on Capitol Avenue in front of the courtyard.

Entrances: The Bushnell is fully accessible through both entrances on Capitol Avenue; through the Box Office lobby or the ramp by the stairs near Trinity Street. The Bushnell is equipped with ramps as well as elevators that operate between the orchestra, mezzanine, and balcony levels of the theaters.

Seating Locations: The Mortensen Hall and Belding Theater have wheelchair accessible locations where patrons may remain in their wheelchairs along with locations for patrons using other mobility aids.

Mortensen Hall: wheelchair and other mobility accessible locations are available on the orchestra level only. Seats in the Mezzanine & Balcony of the Mortensen Hall involve stairs and are not accessible.
Belding Theater: wheelchair and other mobility accessible locations are available on both orchestra and mezzanine levels. Seats in the the rear of the Orchestra and the majority of the Mezzanine of the Belding Theater involve stairs and are not accessible.
Due to the high demand of accessible seat locations in both venues, The Bushnell cannot accommodate patrons who arrive with tickets in non-accessible seats expecting to be seated elsewhere.

Restrooms: Wheelchair accessible restrooms can be found on most levels of the facility: all three levels of the Belding Theater lobbies and off Mortensen Hall’s Grand Foyer in the East Marquee hallway. There are two family accessible restrooms located off the Grand Foyer in the East Marquee hallway, and on the third level of the Belding Theater.

Beverage Meal Services: Accessible bars are located on most levels of the facility and the cafe in the Box Office Lobby is accessible as well.

Emergency Evacuation Assistance: Bushnell employees and volunteers have been trained in proper procedures for emergency evacuation situations and can assist patrons who have mobility needs to specific locations.

Mobility Device Rental: The Bushnell has a limited amount of venue wheelchairs, walkers, and roll-a-tors available for use. Please contact us to request a device for a performance at (860) 987-5900 (M-F, 10am-5pm).

Wheelchair Accessibility Tour: Take a virtual tour to help prepare you on where to go when you visit The Bushnell!

WATCH TOUR

ASL

What to expect?

American Sign Language Interpretation is scheduled for the Broadway Series and Encore Series on Sunday evenings at 6:30pm in addition to other select performances. Check individual show pages for the intepretation date of shows without a Sunday evening performance. For more information or to request this service, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at info@bushnell.org. To purchase tickets, please send requests to info@bushnell.org; (860) 987-5900.

Open Caption

What to expect?

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Closed Caption

What to expect?

Audio Description Performances

What to expect?

Audio description is available for select Broadway performances and other performances by request. Audio description can enhance the theater experience for people who are blind or have low vision. The describer occasionally speaks "between the lines" to describe entrances, exits, and actions to people who cannot see them. Often, before the show and during intermission, a describer "sets up" for the performance by detailing the stage layout, props, characters, and costumes. This is a free service. Device reservations are first come, first served. Patrons must pick up their device at Customer Relations and photo ID must be presented. We encourage patrons to bring their own headsets when possible. Headsets should have a standard 3.5mm aux jack.

To purchase tickets, please purchase online, email info@bushnell.org or call (860) 987-5900. For more information or to request this service, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at info@bushnell.org.

Low vision seating: Seating in the front of the orchestra is reserved for patrons with low-vision for all performances. If that section is sold out but would like to utilize Audio Description, patrons can purchase tickets anywhere in the theater. Please contact the Box Office for availability at (860) 987-5900 or info@bushnell.org.

Touch Tours: Certain Broadway performances may have a Touch Tour before the Audio Described performance. Touch Tours are designed for patrons who are blind or have low-vision, where they can feel and get a description of props and/or costumes from that specific production. Touch Tour information will be posted in the Accessible Newsletter or on the Audio Description page. Sign up to receive the Accessibility Newsletter. You can also contact the Box Office to see if a show has a Touch Tour at (860) 987-5900 (M-F, 10am-5pm) or info@bushnell.org.

Assistive Listening

What to expect?

Assisted Listening Devices, induction loops, and headsets are available at the Customer Relations Desk to assist with sound amplification and clarity. This service is complementary to our patrons and is available, first-come, first-served, for all performances. For patron’s using a hearing aid with a telecoil switch, induction loops and devices are available. The loop must be plugged into the device and the telecoil switch must be turned on. A driver’s license or other form of photo ID must be presented. We encourage patrons to bring their own headsets when possible. Headsets should have a standard 3.5mm aux jack.

The Bushnell has Assistive Listening options for patrons looking to enhance their experience with sound amplification and clarity. These services are complimentary:

Sennheiser MobileConnect App: Download the Sennheiser MobileConnect App to your personal phone, connect to the “Assistive Listening” Wi-Fi Network and enter the password heartheshow, and then select the appropriate Assistive Listening channel based on the theater (Broadways are in the Mortensen Hall, HSO is in the Belding Theater) in the app. You will need a Bluetooth enabled hearing device (hearing aid/cochlear implant/headphones) connected to your phone or wired headphones. View detailed instructions.

ListenTech Devices: Pick up a ListenTech Device and headset/earbuds at the Customer Relations Desk, where a photo ID must be presented. We encourage patrons to bring their own headsets that must have a standard 3.5mm aux jack. Devices are first come, first served.

Loop: If you have a cochlear implant or hearing aid with a Telecoil switch, please ask for a loop, along with a device, and make sure the switch is on.

Please be clear when asking for what service you need. Pick up a device or get connected on the app early. This will allow you to fix any issues before the show starts.

For assistance at our venue, please visit our Customer Relations desk or see a Front of House Staff person in a grey blazer.

Sennheiser MobileConnect - Detailed Instructions

Large Print

What to expect?

Text portions of The Prompter are available in large print format as a supplement to our regular program for Broadway performances. These Prompters are available by visiting the Customer Relations Desk, or in advance by contacting ontact the Accessibility Coordinator at info@bushnell.org or 860.987.5900.

Access digital versions of Broadway prompters to be used with a screen reader or via QR codes located at The Customer Relations Desk and on signage throughout the building. Prompters are added the day of the performance.

Braille

What to expect?

There is a limited number of house braille programs for the select Audio Described Broadway performances. They can be picked up at the Customer Relations Desk. For assitance or more information, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at info@bushnell.org. To purchase tickets, please send requests to info@bushnell.org; (860) 987-5900. Click here for the list of Audio Described performances.

Low vision seating: Seating in the front of the orchestra is reserved for patrons with low-vision for all performances. If that section is sold out but would like to utilize Audio Description, patrons can purchase tickets anywhere in the theater. Please contact the Box Office for availability at (860) 987-5900 or info@bushnell.org.

Access digital versions of Broadway prompters to be used with a screen reader or via QR codes located at The Customer Relations Desk and on signage throughout the building. Prompters are added the day of the performance.

Sensory-Friendly/Relaxed Programming

Sensory-Friendly/Relaxed performances and events are designed to create a performing arts experience that is welcoming to all families and friends with children or adults who are diagnosed with an autism spectrum or a sensory processing disorder, have other sensitivity needs, or who are looking for a judgement-free environment.

To prepare for your visit to The Bushnell, review our FAQ to learn about our accommodations and communication resources and see upcoming Sensory-Friendly/Relaxed shows.

Please note: All typical performances at The Bushnell will have visual and communication supports available at our Customer Relations desk
in order to promote an inclusive theater experience for all. (Typical performances will have standard production and lobby set-ups.)

Accessible Seating

The Mortensen Hall and Belding Theater have wheelchair accessible locations where patrons may remain in their wheelchairs along with locations for patrons using other mobility aids.

Mortensen Hall: wheelchair and other mobility accessible locations are available on the orchestra level only.
Belding Theater: wheelchair and other mobility accessible locations are available on both orchestra and mezzanine levels.

Due to the high demand of accessible seat locations in both venues, The Bushnell cannot accommodate patrons who arrive with tickets in non-accessible seats expecting to be seated elsewhere.

Low vision seating: Seating in the front of the orchestra is reserved for patrons with low-vision for all performances. If that section is sold out but would like to utilize Audio Description, patrons can purchase tickets anywhere in the theater. Please contact the Box Office for availability at (860) 987-5900 or info@bushnell.org.

How To Purchase Accessible Tickets: Wheelchair and other mobility accessible seating may be purchased by phone, in person, or online. Please inform the Box Office of any accessibility needs when purchasing tickets. Mobility aids that cannot be stored safely within the patron's seating area will be stored outside the theater as close as possible to the patron's seat. It is recommended that patrons who use wheelchairs bring a companion to assist them in maneuvering the wheelchair around The Bushnell. Please contact The Bushnell Box Office at 860-987-5900 with questions or for appropriate seating options for both the Mortensen and Belding Theaters.

TDD

Our Box Office is equipped with a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) - (860) 987-6097 to provide information and for the purchase of tickets. In addition, a TDD equipped pay phone is located in our Box Office lobby.

Readers

Volunteer program readers will be provided for persons with visual needs upon request.

Service Animals

Although animals are not allowed within the facility, trained Service Animals as allowed by law are permitted. If you intend to bring a service animal to an event, please notify your ticket representative at the time of purchase so that an appropriate seat may be purchased for you.