Accessibility

The University of Washington is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. 

To request accommodation for Meany Center events or for Meany Center specific questions, please contact the ArtsUW Ticket Office at ticket@uw.edu or call 206-543-4880.
 

Parking

The Central Plaza Garage (CPG) just below Meany Hall has disability parking on all levels. Enter the garage from 15th Avenue NE at NE 41st Street. Central Plaza Garage clearance is 6’10”. There are entrances to Meany Hall’s Katharyn Alvord Gerlich Theater on levels C2-C5 and access to the Studio Theatre only on level C1 (enter parking code 12311 for disability parking on C1).

Elevators

Two elevators serve Meany from the Central Plaza Garage. One interior Meany Theater lobby elevator services the three lobby levels. The highest button is 38” and includes Braille markers.

We are currently upgrading our internal wheelchair lift between the upper lobby and the Door A seating entrance. There is stair access only to Door A and our green room during this upgrade. Access to wheelchair seating, restrooms and other amenities will not be impacted.

Entrances to the Katharyn Alvord Gerlich Theater

The main lobby external entrance has a level approach, 35.5” doorways and pull handle. The far north side lobby entrance to the night-of-event box office, main lobby and Central Plaza Garage elevator access has a level approach, a 36” doorway and an automatic door with paddle controls.

Entrance to the Studio Theatre

The lobby area has a level approach, a 35” doorway and an automatic door with paddle controls.The only entrance to Meany Studio that does not require stairs is through the Central Parking Garage, Level C1.

Seating

Seating locations for patrons in wheelchairs are available in the Orchestra level of the Katharyn Alvord Gerlich Theater and in the front row of the Studio Theatre. 

Disability seating with up to three companion seats per disability space is available for all Meany Center events. Reservations for disability seating must be made at the time of purchase. Please contact the ArtsUW Ticket Office at 206-543-4880 for specific seating options and availability, or for other access requests.

Restrooms

In the Katharyn Alvord Gerlich Theater accessible restrooms are located in the Lower Lobby level with an elevator nearby. There are no restrooms on the Main level and no accessible restrooms on the Balcony level.

In the Studio Theatre, accessible restrooms are located in the lobby

Caregivers may enter either restroom, regardless of gender, when providing services.

Assistive Listening Devices

Assistive listening devices (ALDs) amplify and clarify sound by cutting down on ambient noise. RF (radio frequency) assistive listening systems are installed in both the Katharyn Alvord Gerlich Theater and the Meany Studio Theatre. Patrons can check out a receiver and induction loop (can use a personal neckloop with a 3.5 mm jack) for those that use hearing aids or cochlear implants with a “T” switch or a headset for those without hearing aids. Please ask a front door usher for assistance. Photo ID deposit is required.

Interpreting, Captioning & Amplification Services

For interpreting, captioning, amplification services, and TTYs, contact the UW’s Coordinator of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services at 206-543-1415 (voice), 206-543-6452 (TTY), or dhhreq@uw.edu. Ten days notice is preferred. 

LARGE PRINT PROGRAMS

Large print programs are available, free of charge, at the House Manager desk located in the lobby near the main doors.

Courtesy Wheelchair

Courtesy wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-serve basis or can be reserved in advance by calling the Audience Services Manager at 206-543-2010 or by email bnancy@uw.edu

Courtesy wheelchairs must be checked out and returned to the front door usher or the House Manager. Courtesy wheelchairs may be used to and from the Central Plaza garage but ushers are not permitted to accompany patrons into the garage.

Please note that staff members are not able to assist patrons in transferring to or from a wheelchair, theater seat or vehicle; operate motorized mobility aids such as scooters and Segways; or provide personal attendant services such as assisting patrons in the restroom, with taking medications, or similar activities.

Mobility aids that cannot be stored safely within a patron’s immediate seating area will be stored outside the house as close as possible to a patron’s seat. At intermission and post show, ushers make every effort to check in with patrons who may need assistance in accessing their stored mobility aids.

Service Animals

Service animals, such as guide dogs, are permitted to assist Meany visitors. The nearest green space for the animal is on the west side of Meany.

Water Fountains

Katharyn Alvord Gerlich Theater water fountains: Lower lobby northwest, spout height 41”. West lobby, spout height 41”. East Lobby, spout height 40.5”. Upper mezzanine, 41.5” and 40.5”. Studio Theatre lobby, 41.5”.

Public Phones

There are no public pay phones in Meany Hall. Yellow emergency phones are located in the Central Plaza Garage.

Questions and Additional Information

To request accommodation for Meany Center events or for Meany Center specific questions, please contact the ArtsUW Ticket Office at ticket@uw.edu or 206-543-4880., 

For comprehensive information on UW’s policies and procedures, visit the Disability Services Office or 206-543-6450/V, 206-543-6452/TTY, 206-685-7264 (FAX), or email at dso@u.washington.edu.

For more UW campus access information, visit: UW Facility Services. 

For additional parking information, visit UW Parking Services.