Bumbershoot Accessibility

Welcome to Bumbershoot!

We are working hard to make the Festival accessible to all of Seattle's citizens, as it is our goal to offer everyone an enjoyable experience. Every year we update our website, brochures, and maps to better inform those who need special accommodations. We have a team of dedicated Access Volunteers to provide assistance to patrons with disabilities.

Bumbershoot is pleased to announce it will continue to offer a discounted daily ticket to our patrons with permanent disabilities. These tickets may be purchased at only two gates during the Festival for $15 each, and ONLY the day of the event (no advance sales of any kind).

Tickets will be sold at the following two (2) gates:

• On Mercer Street between Bagley Wright and Intiman Theatres
• On Thomas Street at 5th Avenue, southwest of EMP|SFM between the Space Needle and Monorail

Note: A form of personal identification noting a permanent disability is required. This can be a King County "Access" pass, bus pass, parking certification, or other government issued identification. Please note that this price is only for the patron with permanent disabilities, and is not available for any companions or escorts.

Bumbershoot transforms the Seattle Center grounds and this changes the existing access points. Bumbershoot is committed to making information available to people with disabilities so they may better plan their trip to Bumbershoot. In partnership with Seattle Center, we are striving to make your event experience as comfortable as possible.

Parking

Please note that some accessible parking spaces at Seattle Center will be relocated during Bumbershoot. We will provide the same amount of accessible parking as currently exists.

• The accessible spaces to the East of the Bagley Wright Theatre have moved across Mercer Street to 2nd Avenue.
• The first level of the Mercer Street Garage has accessible parking.
• There are many accessible parking locations at the 5th Avenue lot, 1st Avenue garage, and at dozens of private lots surrounding Seattle Center.

Interpreted Concerts at Bumbershoot

We will provide an American Sign Language interpreter for two of our Samsung Mobile Mainstage shows:

• Shows TBA

An interpreter will be located on the Stadium Floor Deck—a riser built up above the turf level on the North side of the venue (map & brochure will be available Summer 2009). There will be a section of reserved seats in the bleachers for these shows above this deck.

We will do our best to accommodate other requests, however, we require as much as 4 weeks notice to accommodate requests in a readily achievable way.

Courtesy Wheelchairs

A very limited number of basic wheelchairs are available for loan at the Festival and can be obtained at the information booth inside the Center House. You must complete a form and present positive photo identification which will be held while borrowing the wheelchair. If wheelchairs are in high demand you may be limited to 2 hours for use.

ID Bracelets

Bumbershoot is offering free wristbands to help reunite individuals with permanent disabilities who become separated from their family or guardians. Go to any info booth to complete a short registration form with your contact info and get a numbered wristband. In the event an individual is separated from you, Bumbershoot Staff will contact you immediately.

We Have Help for You

We have a team of dedicated access volunteers to provide assistance to people with disabilities on a case-by-case basis during the Festival. You may request assistance at the gate you enter, or you may visit any of the information booths to request an Access Volunteer.

Information booths are located:

• Roadway between Bagley Wright and Intiman Theatres
• On the south end of the Fun Forest Pavilion, across from the IMAX Dome
• On the east side of the Center House, north of the Monorail
• Inside the Center House, across from Center House Bistro

Several items of interest for people with disabilities are detailed in our brochure (available Summer 2009), including seating areas and a map of barrier-free access to all of Bumbershoot’s indoor and outdoor stages. If at any time you have difficulty figuring out which way to go, just ask any Bumbershoot usher or staff member to point you in the right direction.

Accessible Seating at Bumbershoot Venues

Most of Bumbershoot’s indoor venues feature accessible seating areas. If a venue entrance is not accessible, patrons with disabilities and one attendant will be escorted to an alternative accessible entrance.

Seat Availability/General Admission Policy

Free passes are required for entrance into evening shows on the Mainstage and optional for all comedy stage shows. Both types of passes are available on a first come, first served basis; it is best to get them early in the day.

Mainstage passes are available at the three outdoor information booths (see previous page for information booth locations) while supplies last.

Comedy passes are available only at the Comedy Pass Distribution booth (located outside at the northwest corner of the Center House, at the north end of the covered walkway), while supplies last for each show.

Gold and Platinum Pass holders will have pre-seating privileges in select venues. All other patrons are seated on a first come, first served basis. The best way to assure seating for a particular performance is to arrive early.

If you have any further questions, please e-mail us at access@onereel.org.