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One in 4 adults in the United States, or 61 million people, live with a disability. Despite the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protecting these individuals from discrimination and ensuring equal opportunity for all, some venues still struggle to comply with requirements. While some events take steps beyond the minimum and make accessibility a standard feature, people with disabilities continue to speak up against venues and events that lack proper accommodations.

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Deaf

It's a misconception that deaf people don't go to movie theaters or attend concerts because they can't listen to the audio the same way people with hearing do. But people who are deaf or hard of hearing do attend these events, and there are many ways to increase accessibility.

At concerts and music festivals, sign language interpreters are an increasing presence. Coachella, Stagecoach, and even a music festival dedicated to the deaf and hard of hearing have made huge steps toward more inclusive experiences. Even artists like Chance the Rapper have hired ASL interpreters to travel on tour with them.

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On top of ASL interpreters, technology has made it possible for those with hearing disabilities to experience music through bodily sensations. Backpacks, wristbands, and ankle bands now can translate audio waves into vibrations so that people can truly feel the beats.

Concerts aren't the only place where increased accessibility is necessary. Movie theaters have come under fire for outdated technology as the deaf community and allies push for open captioning.

While movie theaters provide closed-captioning devices meant to display subtitles as the movie plays, they are often faulty, skipping lines and even missing entire scenes. These devices may comply with the minimum ADA requirements, but they ostracize people who are deaf and hard of hearing and may have to wait for movies to release on DVD.

Playhouses, on the other hand, have been more accommodating to those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Not only are there apps designed for plays, but also the National Theatre has even developed augmented reality glasses that provide smart captioning.

Apps like Google Live Transcribe and GalaPro provide real-time captioning, with the latter specifically designed for live shows, theater, and operas. The GalaPro app provides details of participating theaters and accommodating shows. When one is chosen, automated multilingual subtitles, closed captioning, dubbing, audio descriptions, and amplification are available through the user's mobile device.

Google Live Transcribe is not designed specifically for the theater, but its technology takes real-time speech and automatically translates it into captions. It also notifies users that speech has resumed after a moment of silence through vibrations to grab their attention. This app seems to be best used for quieter events, so depending on the seat location and type of play, the app could be a good accessibility product if the venue doesn't provide another.

Blind

Failure in accessibility for the visually impaired has also been making headlines. In 2017, a blind theatergoer sued a Manhattan theatre after the venue failed to provide proper accommodations for the Broadway show "Hamilton." Had the venue properly complied with ADA requirements, there would have been provisions to accommodate the visually impaired, such as headsets to provide audible descriptions of what happens on the stage.

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The same issue carries over to movie theaters, but several major theater chains have begun taking steps in the right direction. Audio headsets can be requested from the guest services counter, providing blind and visually impaired patrons the chance to experience movies with descriptions of every scene. While there are some shortcomings with employee education and the availability of devices, the technology seems to work as promised.

There are even mobile applications in the works that will be accessible through iPhone or Android and will sync an audio description track to the movie being watched. Again, these options are not available for all movies or devices, but steps toward accessibility are being taken.

Given the limited options, it's important to research locations and arrive at the theater early to ensure the equipment is available and working properly.

Mobility Impaired

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Of the 26% of American adults living with a disability, 13.7% have mobile impairments that cause serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.

While some physical disabilities are temporary, others are permanent. Physical disabilities can be caused by a variety of things including genetics, accidents, and age. Brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, neurological disorders like cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis (MS), and muscular dystrophy all fall under physical disabilities and impact a person's physical capacity and/or mobility.

The ADA mandates accessible design in public spaces, including businesses and event venues. Accessible doors, parking, ramps, sidewalks, elevators, seating, and bathrooms are all required by law.

At sporting events, concerts, and plays, venues are required to have accessible seating designed for wheelchairs, which include an accessible approach, graded locations, clear floor space, and larger dimensions. "Designated aisle seats" with retractable armrests are also available for those with physical disabilities.

While these seats are designed for people who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices, anyone with a disability who requires the features of accessible seating can purchase tickets for those seats. Specifically, people who use service animals may need extra room when attending an event and can purchase such designated seating.

Accessible seating is also required to come with companion seating, allowing up to three additional adjacent seats. Despite these regulations, companion seats are often hard to snag in movie theaters, leading many people with physical disabilities to complain about policies.

While the companion seats are present, no regulations prevent them from being sold to others not accompanying someone sitting in an accessible seat. This then forces the disabled patron to either sit alone, away from friends or family, or uncomfortably ask others to move.

Updating policies would be a quick fix, but adding more accessible seating in various locations throughout theaters and venues would also provide patrons with more options.

Sensory-Friendly

When considering accessibility at events, cognitive disabilities are often overlooked. However, loud noises, bright lights, and quick shifts in the environment can make it difficult for people with autism or dementia to enjoy shows.

A symphony in New Albany considered this, creating a set list that only included songs lacking drastic and sudden changes in noise level. They also undersold tickets to ensure patrons were spaced out and allowed them to make as much noise as they wanted or come and go as they wished. The symphony also ensured the lights were dimmed rather than completely off or too bright and cut the show to less than an hour.

With all of these small changes, the symphony could put on a sensory-friendly show, providing the perfect environment for those with autism, dementia, and attention deficits.

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Other sensory-friendly events have popped up all over the country, ensuring families with special needs can enjoy the same events as others. Each of these events considers sound, touch, smell, taste, and sight when providing quiet areas and support staff.

It's also important to include information on an event's level of sensory-friendliness in advertising and promotion to ensure those with sensory issues feel comfortable and welcome.

Living in an Ideal World

In an ideal world, every public space, from movie theaters and malls to hotels and convention centers, would be accessible to all. All over the world, cities are becoming more accommodating to those with visual, auditory, physical, and mental impairments.

Venues and other public spaces may meet the minimum ADA requirements to comply with the law, but it seems like some playhouses are a step ahead. Not only do they provide accessible seating and meet minimum requirements, but also they provide theatergoers with advanced technologies, special shows, and even representation on stage.

While other venues need improvement, the increased attention to the needs of disabled populations is helping to fuel technological innovations and increase accommodation availability overall.

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