The Arvada Center strives to make the arts accessible to all people. As part of that effort, we produce theatrical performances for people with specific needs. For more information or to request an accessible performance please call the box office at 720-898-7200.
If you have alternative seating needs or accessible seating needs, please contact the Box Office prior to the event to make the appropriate arrangements. No guarantees for accommodation can be made at the time of the event.
Getting Around
The Center's main entrance is on the ground level. There is an additional entrance to the second floor on the North side of the building, with automatic doors and no stairs or steps.
The Box Office, Main Gallery, ballroom rental space and some studios and classrooms are on the first floor of the Arvada Center. The Main Stage Theatre, Black Box Theatre, ceramics studio and classrooms, and both Upper and Theatre Galleries are located on the second floor. There are two elevators to move between floors.
Seating for patrons who use wheelchairs is available in the Black Box Theatre, Main Stage Theatre, and Outdoor Amphitheatre. Please make your seating needs and preferences known when you purchase your tickets.
The Arvada Center welcomes designated service animals only. As a courtesy to other patrons attending events at the Arvada Center, please do not bring non-service animals.
Sensory Kits are now available at the Arvada Center. These kits are available for check-out at the Box Office at any time during business hours. For theatre performances, you can check out a sensory kit at the Accessibility table.
The Arvada Center is improving accessibility navigation on our website with the accessibility tool called Recite Me.
Click the icon at the bottom-right of the screen (it looks like this!) to try it out!
For people with varying visual abilities, non-English speakers, and people who have difficulty reading text on a screen, Recite Me will help you access, view, and use our web pages in a way that works best for you.
The Recite Me toolbar has a unique range of functions. You can use it to:
Read website text aloud (including PDFs)
Download the text as an MP3 file to play it where and when it suits you
Change font sizes and colors
Customize background-color
Translate text into more than 100 different languages
Access a fully integrated dictionary and thesaurus
ASL (American Sign Language) Interpreted Performances
ASL-interpreted performances are offered on select dates for each production in our theatre season. Reserved seating by the Interpreters is available for an optimal experience stage experience.
Please call the box office at 720-898-7200 or follow the links below and request ASL seating at the time of purchase.
Sensory-friendly are relaxed performances designed to be welcoming and inclusive for families of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, autism, sensory processing disorders or other conditions.
Some performance elements have been changed to accommodate the needs of individuals who are sensitive to over-stimulation that might happen during a fully staged production. This includes softened lighting effects, lowering sound levels and a reduction of sudden movements. Lights are kept higher in the theatre so audience members can see each other. Audience members are free to come and go if need be and there is a “safe room” available during the performance.
Shadow-interpreted theatre utilizes specially trained American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters to perform as “shadows” on stage alongside actors.
Audio Described Performances
Live audio description is available for patrons with vision loss for our theatre productions. The audio description gives a visual description of the costumes, set, and movement of a performance. An audio describer will speak into a microphone that is transmitted to a receiver with different headphone options.
Audio Description services are available for most performances with a two-week advance request. For more information or to purchase tickets, please call the box office at 720-898-7200.
Touch Tours
Touch Tours are a free, immersive way for those with sight loss to more deeply engage with the show they are going to see! Held just before each Audio Described theatre performance, any patrons who are blind, low-vision, or otherwise visually-impaired, along with their guests are invited to attend. These Touch Tours give patrons the opportunity to literally touch select props, costume pieces, and set replicas that will be part of the production they are going to see. Audio describer Julie Payne and production team members will be there to answer questions and possibly share behind-the-scenes facts that help patrons better understand the show and give insight into the theatre world.
The Arvada Center strives to make the arts accessible to all people. As part of that effort, we produce theatrical performances for people with specific needs, including sensory-friendly performances, shadow interpreted performances, audio described performances and performances featuring American Sign Language interpreters.
Main entrance equipped with button operated power assist door
Doors leading from the Black Box lobby to the Black Box plaza equipped with button operated power assist door
Doors going into the Main Gallery equipped with button operated power assist door
Doors going into Museum equipped with button operated power assist door
Main level restrooms (1 men's, 1 women's) across from Ballroom D are equipped with button operated power assist doors
Elevator access centrally located elevator to access different levels
Classrooms, meeting rooms, galleries, studios, and bathrooms offer easy access to people using wheelchairs
Seating for patrons who use wheelchairs is available in the Black Box Theatre, Main Stage Theatre, and Outdoor Amphitheatre. Please make your seating needs and preferences known when you purchase your tickets
Features for People with Hearing Needs
American Sign Language interpreting will be provided upon request for classes
Shadow interpreted children's theater performances on selected dates
The Arvada Center has installed an FM broadcast assistive listening system for people with hearing loss. Receivers may be picked up at the Accessibility table just outside of the Main Stage and Black Box theatre entrances. They can be borrowed at no cost. Volunteers can show you how to use the equipment and adjust the volume.
For those without hearing aids or who don't have telecoils in their hearing aids.Borrow a receiver and headphones, or bring your personal, wired headphones to plug into the borrowed receiver (3.5mm jack)
For those with telecoils in their hearing aids/cochlear implants.Pick up your receiver with a neckloop attachment. To access the FM system, switch your hearing instrument to T for Telecoil program
Features for People with Visual Needs
We provide audio-describedchildren's theatre and Main Stage and Black Box Theatre performances upon request.
Large print theatre programs for Main Stage musicals, Black Box plays and professional music concerts.
Service Animals and Pets
The Arvada Center welcomes designated animals which have been trained to assist a person with a disability only. As a courtesy to other patrons attending events at the Arvada Center, please do not bring non-service animals.
Website Accessibility
The Arvada Center is improving accessibility navigation on our website with the accessibility tool called Recite Me.
Click the icon at the bottom-right of the screen (it looks like this!) to try it out!
For people with varying visual abilities, non-English speakers, and people who have difficulty reading text on a screen, Recite Me will help you access, view, and use our web pages in a way that works best for you.
The Recite Me toolbar has a unique range of functions. You can use it to:
Read website text aloud (including PDFs)
Download the text as an MP3 file to play it where and when it suits you
Change font sizes and colors
Customize background-color
Translate text into more than 100 different languages
Access a fully integrated dictionary and thesaurus
Sensory Kits are now available at the Arvada Center. These kits are packaged with helpful items to help reduce overstimulation during your visit. Each kit comes with the following:
Noise-reducing headphones (child & adult) - Help reduce audio stimulation
Fidgets - reduce stress and increase focus by keeping your hands busy
Rose glasses - filter wavelengths of light that contribute to light sensitivity
Sensory seat (child) - a semi-inflated, textured pad that helps provide sensory input, supports sensory regulation
Weighted lap blanket or shoulder pad - feel more secure and comforted
Thanks to the sponsors of our Accessibility programs!
Our presenting sponsor:
The Virginia W. Hill Foundation
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Follow Us
Copyright 2019 Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities