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What ADA and Accessibility accommodations are available at The Grand Opening Ceremony Official Watch Party?

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We want to make sure that all guests enjoy the Grand Opening Ceremony Official Watch Party experience! Click a short-cut or scroll down to each topic below: 

*SUBJECT TO UPDATES 

Getting There: ADA Parking & Entry  

Public Transportation

All Chicago Transit Authority bus lines and most rail stations are accessible. Visit www.transitchicago.com/accessibility to find out more about accessible services from CTA.

Note: the 59th street Metra Station platform does not have a working elevator.  

Parking

There is no onsite parking for the Grand Opening Ceremony Official Watch Party. For ways to get to the festival, we encourage guests to review this article: How do I get to the event?

Accessible Entrances

There are specially designated lanes at the event entrances for patrons in need of accommodations. Look for the signs with the international symbol of access above the accessible entrance lanes or ask a staff member to direct you to the lanes.

​​ADA Accessibility Center (Access Center)

The Access Center will be located inside the North entrance.

Our Access Center services include, but are not limited to:

  • Answers to questions specific to the Accessibility Program
  • Information relevant to our patrons in need of accommodations
  • Requests for accessibility wristbands
  • Power outlets for recharging powered mobility devices
  • Programming information in large print and braille for reference
  • Assisted Listening Devices (ALDs)
  • ASL (American Sign Language) list of performances and registration 

Accessible Viewing Areas

All tickets to the event are general admission, purchasing a separate accessible ticket is not necessary.

Upon arrival, please visit the Access Center for information on the accessible viewing areas. Patrons in need of mobility accommodations or American Sign Language (“ASL”) patrons can request an accessibility wristband at the Access Center. This wristband is to show event staff that the patron plus one companion is eligible to enter the accessible viewing areas or the ASL areas. The accessibility wristband is non-transferable.

Viewing Area Wristband Policies

  • All attendees must have an event ticket for admission into the event.
  • ADA wristbands to access Accessible seated viewing platforms for those in need of mobility accommodations and ASL viewing areas are good for the whole weekend.
  • Do NOT remove your wristband for the entire duration of the event. If your ADA/ASL wristband is damaged or removed, it can be replaced at the Access Center.
  • One companion wristband will be issued for each accessible guest.
  • If an accessible guest wants to switch their companion, please bring the old companion wristband to the Access Center to be reissued.
  • Accessibility Program wristbands to access Accessible seated viewing platforms and ASL viewing areas are good for the whole weekend.
  • Only one companion will be admitted with each guest with an accessible viewing area wristband or ASL viewing area wristband.
  • The ASL viewing section (accessible by the ASL viewing wristband) is specifically designated for Deaf guests who use ASL (American Sign Language) and rely on visual interpretation of the performance. If you do not use ASL, the event offers assistive listening devices that may better suit your needs. Otherwise, please know that the event provides excellent sound coverage throughout the venue to enhance your experience.
  • An accessible or ASL wristband does not guarantee a spot in the viewing areas
  • Please note that both viewing areas have a limited capacity and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. We cannot save or reserve seats or areas on the platform.
  • Once it’s determined that an accessible or ASL viewing area is filled to capacity (including adequate aisle space for entering and exiting the area), the area will not be available for additional entry.
  • The ASL (American Sign Language) viewing area at a given stage will only be open for artist’s performances that are scheduled to have an American Sign Language interpretation.

Signage will be placed at the event identifying all viewing areas for patrons with mobility limitations and patrons who are Deaf. Accessible viewing areas are marked with the International Symbol of Access on the Event Map. To see the designated accessible viewing locations, please visit the Access Center for a map of the event grounds or visit the map on the event help center (or the map on the official app)

Can I bring a companion to assist me? 

A companion is welcome at the OPC Dedication Ceremony, but all event attendees must have an event ticket to enter. If you have any other questions or need anything else we will have staff available on-site at the Accessibility Center located by the main event entrance gate.

Wheelchair Accessibility & Other Powered Mobility Devices

The event is wheelchair accessible but is a large venue with great distances between activities and attractions. It is outdoors and across city streets, pathways, and grass lawns. Some travel is over natural terrain and terrain designed for motor vehicles. If it should rain, there could be mud.

The event does not provide personal care, golf cart rides, or push service of any kind or wheelchairs for rent or loan. Wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, and three or four-wheeled scooters are allowed only for use by patrons in need of mobility accommodations. For safety reasons, requests to use other power-driven mobility devices will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Powered wheelchairs may also be charged at the Access Center. Patrons should bring all cords and accessories needed to charge their devices. Chargers must use a 110-volt, 20-amp circuit.

Accessible Restrooms 

Accessible restrooms are available at each bank of portable toilets throughout the event venue.

How to obtain an ADA Wristband:

  • Visit the Access Center (located near the North Entrance).
  • Wristbands are provided at no cost to patrons who self-identify a need for the accessible restroom.
  • Staff at the Access Center will issue the wristband upon request.

American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreted Performances & Other Accessible Services

The event provides American Sign Language (ASL) interpreted music performances for certain performances. This event is a live viewing party for the Obama Presidential Library Opening that will be live streamed from another location. This stream will include live closed captioning.  

For additional effective communication (ASL), guided tours, assisted listening devices (ALD) requests, please visit us at the Access Center on site. 

Additional Notes about American Sign Language Interpreted Performances Viewing: 

  • All event attendees must have an event ticket for admission into the event
  • Upon arrival at the event, if you are in need of American Sign Language accommodation, please stop by the Access Center to request an ASL wristband.
  • Do NOT remove your wristband for the entire duration of the event. If your ADA/ASL wristband is damaged or removed, it can be replaced at the Access Center.
  • One companion wristband will be issued for each accessible guest.
  • If an accessible guest wants to switch their companion, please bring the old companion wristband to the Access Center to be reissued.
  • Accessibility Program wristbands to access Accessible seated viewing platforms and ASL viewing areas are good for the whole weekend.
  • Only one companion will be admitted with each guest with an accessible viewing area wristband or ASL viewing area wristband.
  • The ASL viewing section (accessible by the ASL viewing wristband) is specifically designated for Deaf guests who use ASL (American Sign Language) and rely on visual interpretation of the performance. If you do not use ASL, the event offers assistive listening devices that may better suit your needs. Otherwise, please know that the event provides excellent sound coverage throughout the venue to enhance your experience.
  • An accessible or ASL wristband does not guarantee a spot in the viewing areas.
  • Please note that viewing areas have a limited capacity and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. We cannot save or reserve seats or areas on the platform.
  • Once it’s determined that an accessible or ASL viewing area is filled to capacity (including adequate aisle space for entering and exiting the area), the area will not be available for additional entry.
  • The ASL (American Sign Language) dedicated pit/viewing area at a given stage will only be open for artist’s performances that are scheduled to have an American Sign Language interpretation.
  • Signage will be placed at the event identifying all viewing areas for patrons with mobility limitations and patrons who are Deaf. Accessible viewing areas are marked with the International Symbol of Access on the Event Map. To see the designated accessible viewing locations, please visit the Access Center for a map of the event grounds or visit the map on the event help center (or the map on the official event app)

Special Dietary and Prescription Medicine Needs

Outside food and drinks are not allowed inside the event, but if a patron has special medical dietary restrictions, items will be allowed. Email watchpartyaccess@events.obama.org for more information. 

Patrons are allowed to bring their medically necessary materials and medications into the event, provided that all medicine has a prescription label with the patron’s name. Our personnel at the entry gates will verify the contents of any medically necessary materials. Out of concern for the event staff who handle the trash, please dispose of your medical waste and syringes in the proper disposal, which is located at the medical tent. Please see the official event map for the location of the medical tent. Please do not dispose of these items in other trash bins at the event.

Service Animals

Pets are not allowed within the event grounds. However, miniature horses and dogs, which have been trained to provide assistance to an individual as an official service animal are welcome. If accompanied by a service animal, you will be provided a Patron Notice of Responsibility for a Service Animal. Please enter through the accessible lane at either entrance.

How can I ask an accessibility or ADA question?

For any questions, please email watchpartyaccess@events.obama.org.

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