For Patrons and Visitors with Mobility Disabilities

Accessible Entrances

All entrances to the building, theaters, restaurants, and gift shops are accessible. Elevators operate between the garage, Foyer, and Terrace levels on the north (States) and south (Nations) sides of the building. Elevators also operate within theaters between the orchestra, tier, and balcony levels.

Accessible Seating

All theaters have wheelchair- and scooter-accessible locations where patrons can remain in their wheelchairs or transfer to theater seats. Patrons who cannot or do not wish to transfer from their wheelchairs to a theater seat should request wheelchair-accessible locations when ordering tickets. Seats with removable armrests are available in the Terrace Theater, Concert Hall, Opera House, Eisenhower Theater, and Family Theater. Bariatric chairs are available in the Eisenhower Theater with advance notice.

The Kennedy Center ticket sales staff is trained to assist you in getting seating that best meets your individual needs.  To order accessible seating, please call the Instant-Charge Services Desk at (202) 416-8528 (voice) or (202) 416-8524 (TTY).

Accessible Restrooms

All public restrooms are wheelchair accessible.  Companion care restrooms are located in the Hall of Nations; on each level in the Concert Hall, Opera House, and Eisenhower Theater; on the lobby level of the Family Theater and Terrace Theater; and on the Terrace level in the States Gallery. Locate on map

Courtesy Wheelchairs

Courtesy wheelchairs are available by reservation and are located at the Visitors Center in the Hall of States. Patrons may reserve wheelchairs in advance by calling the Friends of the Kennedy Center Volunteers at (202) 416-8340, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. A limited number of bariatric wheelchairs and wheelchairs with elevating leg-rests are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

It is strongly recommended that patrons who do not normally use a wheelchair bring a friend or companion to assist them in maneuvering the wheelchair around the Kennedy Center. Volunteers can make arrangements for patrons to borrow wheelchairs but are unable to leave their posts to assist patrons in moving around the building. 

Please see the Curb to Seat Service section for additional information.

Curb to Seat Service

Kennedy Center doormen are available starting one hour before performances begin to assist patrons in getting from the front of the building to the theaters. Once at the theater, Access Ushers are available to assist patrons to their seats or wheelchair-accessible locations.

Please note: Doormen may not be available prior to Millennium Stage performances. Staff, volunteers, doormen, and ushers are not able to assist patrons in transferring or to provide personal attendant services.

Parking

Designated accessible parking for vehicles bearing valid Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) disability parking placards or license plates is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Accessible parking spaces and automatic doors are located on the west side of the motor lobbies on all three levels of the garage. Van-accessible parking for vehicles that are over six feet in height is only available on the south (Nations) side of Level C in the parking garage.

For more information about parking, please visit the Directions and Parking page or call (202) 416-7982 (voice) or (202) 416-8524 (TTY), Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Public Telephones and TTYs

Accessible public telephones equipped with volume controls are located on all three levels of the parking garage; in the lobbies of the Concert Hall, Opera House, and Eisenhower Theater; and on the Roof Terrace Level. The public pay phone located on the States (north) end of Parking Level A is equipped with a TTY.

Shuttle Service

All Kennedy Center shuttle buses are equipped with a wheelchair lift with a capacity of 500 pounds. These red vans run between the Foggy Bottom-George Washington University Metro Station (on the Orange and Blue lines, at 23rd and I streets, NW) and the Kennedy Center approximately every 15 minutes. Please visit the Directions and Parking page for more information.