ADA Wheelchair Seating

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) passed new regulations to include provisions regarding the sale of accessible tickets, including providing people with disabilities with the opportunity to purchase tickets using the same methods available to patrons without disabilities. The ThunderTix support staff can now specify seats within a seating chart as wheelchair seats. The seats will include the caption "Wheelchair" in front of the seat label along with a Wheelchair icon upon hovering over the seat during the selection process.

Clearly showing Companion seats on the Seat Legend

We now show companion seats on the Seat Legend for seating charts. This makes it easy for anyone to select an accessible seat and a companion seat.

Seat Legend on an assigned seating chart that depicts Available Seats, Accessible Seats, Companion Seats, Unavailable Seats, and Unoccupied seats,

Make sure your website is accessible

Clearly outline where guests can find your list of available accommodations and your policies and procedures regarding service animals or any additional accommodations that may be needed. Your website should be compatible with screen readers and allow for large print or magnified versions. Some examples of this described by Disability Rights Oregon include not having accessible online forms for entering credit card information and seat maps that describe different seating options may include images without an alt-text. This will prevent customers using screen readers from understanding what the images show. We can add any elements to a seating chart such as stairs, ramps, etc. Here are a few examples of elements ThunderTix can include in your seating chart to make it more accessible.

Seats grouped together to show where patrons can best see the ASL Interpreters.

Arrow with the words Exit above it to depict an exit. A man and woman are also depicted to resemble the bathrooms.

Text box on a ThunderTix seating chart that states the the entire Orchestra Pit is ADA compliant.

Stairs leading upward displayed on a ThunderTix seating chart.

Wheelchair entry ramp displayed on a ThunderTix seating chart for accessibility.

Text on a ThunderTix seating chart that states that the balcony is only accessible by stairs, letting ticket buyers know that any patrons with accessibility needs should not purchase seats in the balcony.

Clarity shouldn't stop once a ticket is purchased

While it is important to clearly label your accessible and companion seats, there should also be clear signage explaining location of accessible facilities. For example, location of accessible seats, where patrons can locate assisted listening devices, etc.

Accessibility is not a one-size fits all model

We recognize that accessibility comes in many different forms. In addition to offering accessible seating for those with mobility issues, we also offer a way for venues to label seats for those that are hearing impaired.

Hearing impaired icon on the seating chart legend that indicates which seats are for those that are hearing impaired.

We are open to suggestions

If you believe there is something we can do to make a venue more accessible, please let us know! You can contact us on our website or submit a support request if you are one of our clients.