Accessible Options

The Center for the Arts is dedicated to providing an enjoyable experience by making our performances and facilities accessible to all.

Accessible options at the Center for the Arts

Request Accessibility Accommodations

Request accessibility accommodations by emailing the ticket office or by calling 703-993-8881.

Ticket Office Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

TTD Service: Please call us through the Virginia Relay service at 800-828-1140

Accessibility for Digital Content

To make an accessibility accommodation request for any of the services listed below, please email cfatix@gmu.edu. These services can be requested before or after the release date of the content. We appreciate two weeks advanced notice for any requests. For any questions you may have regarding accessibility for our digital content, please email cfatix@gmu.edu.

Services for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing

  • Captioning: Our digital content is provided with captions. To enable automated closed captioning when viewing our videos on Facebook, please click the gear icon for “Settings” in the bottom right of the video pane and toggle the Captions button to “ON”. To access automated closed captioning when viewing our videos on YouTube, please click the “CC”  button in the bottom right of the video pane. For any questions about captioning, please email cfatix@gmu.edu or call 703-993-8881.
  • American Sign Language Interpretation (by request, we appreciate 2 weeks notice) Please email cfatix@gmu.edu or call 703-993-8881.

Services for patrons who are blind or have low vision

  • Audio Description (by request, we appreciate 2 weeks notice). Please email cfatix@gmu.edu or call 703-993-8881.

Performance Accessibility

Services for patrons who are blind or have low vision

  • Large print programs for all Great Performances at Mason events can be checked out at the Concert Hall courtesy desk (on the left-hand side of the main lobby) prior to performances. To request: Email cfatix@gmu.edu or call 703-993-8881
  • Audio-described performances (by request, we appreciate 2 weeks notice prior to event). To  request: Email cfatix@gmu.edu or call 703-993-8881

Services for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing:

  • Assistive Listening Devices: FM, 72 mhz with headphones or loop can be checked out at the Concert Hall courtesy desk (on the left-hand side of the main lobby) prior to performances. Patrons are welcome to bring their own headphones, which must have an auxiliary input to use with the devices. Not available at TheaterSpace.
  • Sign Language interpretation (by request, we appreciate 2 weeks notice prior to event). To request: Email cfatix@gmu.edu or call 703-993-8881
  • Captioned performances (by request, we appreciate 2 weeks notice prior to event). To request: Email cfatix@gmu.edu or call 703-993-8881

Services for patrons who have mobility disabilities:

  • Accessible seating 
    To request: Email cfatix@gmu.edu or call 703-993-8881
  • Accessible entrances
  • Accessible restrooms
  • Courtesy wheelchairs can be checked out at the Concert Hall courtesy desk (on the left-hand side of the main lobby) prior to performances. (limited availability)
    To request: Email cfatix@gmu.edu or call 703-993-8881
  • Patron Drop off: Patrons may drop off and pick up in front of the Center for the Arts. A courtesy wheelchair is available to transport patrons from the drop off zone to their seats and back.
    To request a wheelchair: Email cfatix@gmu.edu or call 703-993-8881

Personal Care Attendants (PCA)

For any patron who requires a Personal Care Attendant, we will provide a PCA Pass at no cost with a paid admission. A PCA Pass grants entry into a performance, has no cash value, and is non-transferable. PCA Passes will be delivered with any purchased tickets, as selected by the ticket buyer: Will Call, Mail, Print at Home, or Digital Ticket(s). 

To request a PCA Pass: Email cfatix@gmu.edu or call 703-993-8881

Parking:

Patrons needing accessible parking will find three locations close to the building.

  1. The first is located along Mason Pond Drive across the street from the Center for the Arts with a limited number of spaces. There are signs and parking attendants to assist with directions or special needs.
  2. The second location is in the Mason Pond Parking Deck located next to the Center for the Arts. Specific locations are designated for accessible parking. There is a fee to park in the deck.
  3. The third location is in the James Buchanan Hall parking lot. This lot is located off Mason Pond Drive next to James Buchanan Hall.

The police staffing the performance can assist patrons with the location of available spaces.

Patron Drop off:

At any time, patrons may drop off and pick up in front of the Center for the Arts. A courtesy wheelchair is available to transport patrons from the drop off zone to their seats and back. 
 

To request a wheelchair: Email cfatix@gmu.edu or call 703-993-8881

Metro:

Please visit www.wmata.com/service/accessibility/ for information on Metrorail and Metrobus accessible transportation options.

TTD Service:

Please call us through the Virginia Relay service 800-828-1140.

Sensory Kits

sensory kit

Center for the Arts performances marked as sensory-friendly are designed to create a welcoming and comfortable arts experience for people with autism or other disabilities, to help audience members engage with the performance in their own unique way. As part of an initiative to make performances more accessible, the Center for the Arts will be offering a limited number of sensory kits to personalize performance experiences; some of the items included are pillowcases to drape over the seat for a softer seat texture; over-the-ear headphones to mute loud noises; a pen and notepad to take notes or draw with; as well as a wide variety of fidget toys such as stress balls, fidget spinners, and pop-its. If all the sensory kits are checked out, there are a limited number of sensory toys available to individually borrow during the performance.

Adult and child-safe sensory kits can be checked out from the Concert Hall courtesy desk (on the left-hand side of the main lobby) prior to the performance and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Sensory fidget items including the stress ball, fidget spinner, pop-it, and pen & notepad may be taken home, compliments of the Center for the Arts. All additional items are sanitized between use and are requested to be returned to the Ticket Office following the performance.