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Access & Accommodation Services

General Accommodations Navigating OSF Mobility Needs Low Vision / Blind Deaf / Hard of Hearing
General Accommodations Navigating OSF Mobility Needs Low Vision / Blind Deaf / Hard of Hearing
The Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) is committed to offering services that make its programs accessible to all visitors. Providing for accessibility needs is crucial for creating equity in the performance arts.

Caption Services and Audio Description are available for all non-preview performances with limited availability.

Assistive Listening Devices and ADA seating are available for all preview performances with limited availability.

All OSF Access Services are complimentary. 

Please contact Access Services by email at [email protected] if you have questions or need additional information.
GENERAL ACCOMMODATIONS

Getting to OSF

Ashland is located in the Siskiyou Mountains at about 2,000 feet elevation, and the terrain is hilly and uneven. Access to the Box Office and theatres from Main St. requires going up a hill and can be a challenge if using a mobility device. There are limited drop-off locations with more level terrain.

Parking:

  • General on-street and off-street ADA parking spaces are available within ¼ mile of OSF, though some locations require walking up- or down-hill to get to the Box Office and theatres.
  • Check street signage regarding timed and untimed parking.
  • Accessible parking is available in the city-owned parking garage on Hargadine Street. Check the garage signage regarding parking rates and times.
  • Patrons with a disability placard or license plate can park on-street at no charge in any public parking space designated for parking more than 30 minutes, and at no charge on any level of the Hargadine parking garage.
  • Disabled parking permits are not valid in spaces marked for 20 minutes or less, or in space marked for electric vehicles.
  • The lower level of the parking garage can be used as a drop-off location for patrons who do not want to park in the garage. This provides the most level path to the Box Office and theatres.

Public Transportation:

  • Access to OSF via public transportation is limited. For public transportation information, visit Rogue Valley Transportation District (RVTD).
  • There are taxicab services in the area, as well as private ride-share options.
NAVIGATING OSF

Ticketing:

  • OSF abides by all applicable ADA ticketing rules.
  • Mobility and ADA seating are available at all price levels.
  • Each ADA ticket can be purchased with up to three companion seats.

Fragrance-Free Environment:

  • OSF staff and patrons are asked to refrain from using scented products while on campus.
  • Smoking or vaping is not allowed on the OSF campus or in theatres. 

Restrooms:

  • Each theatre has accessible, all-gender bathrooms.

Ear Plugs:

  • For patrons with sensory processing sensitivities, free single-use ear plugs are available at the Access Booth in each theatre.
  • Patrons are welcome to bring their own ear plugs or noise-reduction headphones.

Service Dogs:

  • Service dogs are welcome at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
  • Emotional support animals, therapy animals, and pets are not permitted in the theatres.
  • Service animals must share a seat space with the patron and cannot block the aisles or stage.
  • For safety reasons, patrons with service dogs cannot be seated in the first row of the theatres.  
FOR PATRONS WITH MOBILITY NEEDS

Mobility:

  • The walking surfaces at and around OSF include cement sidewalks and brick courtyards, with some hills and sloped terrain.
  • When the Bowmer Theatre is open and staffed, patrons who need to reach the Elizabethan Theatre from the lower courtyard level can use the elevator in the Bowmer Theatre lobby and take it up one level to exit through the accessible side door to the upper courtyard level.
  • When the Bowmer Theatre is not open or staffed, patrons can traverse the lower courtyard level to the sidewalk and go up a short hill to the upper courtyard level.
  • The Bowmer and Thomas Theatres have carpeted lobbies. The seating areas include both carpeted and cement flooring.
  • The Allen Elizabethan Theatre is outdoors with a brick courtyard and cement flooring in the theatre.
  • Wheelchairs, walkers, and motorized scooters are welcome in all theatres and at the free Green Show held during summer months on the Bricks courtyard.

Accessible Seating:

  • Limited wheelchair seating, stair-free seating, transfer seating, and bariatric seating are available in the theatres.
  • All theatres have elevators.
  • Each ADA ticket can be purchased with up to three companion seats.
  • When purchasing tickets, let the Box Office staff know that you want accessible seating. If purchasing your tickets online, select “Let Us Choose” for a list of patron requests. You can leave a detailed order note on the check-out page and the Box Office staff will assist you in finding seats.
  • Contact the Box Office at [email protected] or 800-219-8161.

Door Access:

  • All doors are accessible.
  • Doors are either propped open, lightweight and ADA compliant, feature push-button openers, or will be staffed by an employee or volunteer.
FOR PATRONS WHO ARE BLIND OR HAVE LOW VISION

Audio Description (AD):

  • Audio Description provides spoken descriptions of visual information, including actions, settings, facial expressions, costumes, and scene changes, inserted into natural pauses in the dialogue. 
  • Audio Describers provide a pre-show introduction and live description during the performance via an Assistive Listening Device. A set of headphones is provided with the device, or patrons may bring their own headphones or wired earbuds with a standard jack.
  • Audio Description must be requested no later than two weeks before a performance and is not available for Preview performances. Requests made with less than two weeks’ notice may be accommodated if possible.
  • When purchasing tickets, let the Box Office staff know that you want Audio Description services. If purchasing your tickets online, select “Let Us Choose” for a list of patron requests. You can leave a detailed order note on the check-out page and the Box Office staff will assist you with your request.
  • Plan to arrive at the theatre half an hour before your performance to ensure time for the pre-show audio described introduction. 
  • Upon arrival at the theatre, meet the Audio Describer at the Access Booth in the theatre lobby. 

Large Print Playbills:

  • Large print playbills are available at the Access Booth in each theatre.
FOR PATRONS WHO ARE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING

Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs):

  • ALDs are available for patrons who would like sound amplification during a performance.
  • Devices are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Access Booth in each theatre.
  • ALDs use a radio frequency system and are intended for patrons with mild to moderate hearing loss.
  • A set of headphones is provided with the device, or patrons may bring their own headphones or wired earbuds with a standard jack.
  • A limited number of integrated neck loops are available on a first-come, first-served basis for patrons who use a Cochlear Implant or who have a Telecoil (t-coil) in their hearing aids on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • A driver’s license or photo I.D. is required to borrow the device and will be returned to the patron when the device is returned after the performance. 

Closed Captions:

  • Closed Captioning is provided via a digital tablet on a stand on a limited basis for performances presented in the Angus Bowmer, Allen Elizabethan, and Thomas theatres.
  • Caption devices are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Caption services are available for all performances except for Preview performances.
  • Captions are not available in the front row due to safety reasons.
  • Patrons are encouraged to request Caption services no later than two weeks before a performance. Requests made with less than two weeks’ notice or on-site may be accommodated if possible.
  • For safety reasons, patrons requesting captions cannot be seated in the first row of the theatres.
  • When purchasing tickets, let the Box Office staff know that you want Caption services. If purchasing your tickets online, select “Let Us Choose” for a list of patron requests. You can leave a detailed order note on the check-out page and the Box Office staff will assist you with your request.
  • Plan to arrive at the theatre no later than 15 minutes before your performance to get set up with the caption device. 
  • Upon arrival at the theatre, meet the Caption Operator at the Access Booth in the theatre lobby.

American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreted Performances:

Contact Information
Access & Accommodation Services Office
Email: [email protected]