ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
The Public Theater strives to make its performances, digital content, websites, and facilities accessible to all people. For additional information or if you have questions, need assistance, or an accommodation not mentioned below, please contact us at 212.967.7555 (voice) or [email protected].
Resources
RESOURCES.
Patrons who are Blind or Have Low Vision.
Digital Content for Patrons Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision
Audio Described Digital Content
In-person Services for Patrons Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision
Alternate Formats
Large Print Playbills are available at all Public and Delacorte Theater season performances one week after the production has officially opened. Braille Playbills are available at all Public and Delacorte Theater season performances one week after the production has officially opened. Both large print and Braille may be obtained from the house manager or ticket taker upon entering the theater of your attending performance. Audio Playbills, 508 and WCAG AA compliant PDFs, designed to be used with a screen reader will be available under the Production Details on each production's page one week after the production has officially opened.
Other Public Theater print materials will be made available in alternate formats upon request with at least three weeks' notice. To request a document in an alternative format, please contact Audience Services by email at [email protected].
Audio Description
Audio description is scheduled for select Public Theater and Free Shakespeare in the Park performances throughout the year. Using a single earpiece connected to an FM headset, patrons who are blind or have low vision can listen to trained audio describers give live, verbal descriptions of actions, costumes, scenery, and other visual elements of a performance. Audio describers start pre-show notes approximately 15 minutes before the performance begins. Tickets for events that will be offered with audio descriptions may be purchased by calling us at 212.967.7555, visit our box office, or on-line. Tickets may also be purchased by visiting our audio descriptions partner website TDF.org.
Patrons who wish to listen to the description must pick up a headset. Headsets are distributed free-of-charge on a first-come, first-served basis at the theater entrance by speaking to a House Manager, Ticket Taker, or Usher before a scheduled audio described event.
The Public Theater also offers audio description upon request. Requests to audio describe non-designated events must be received at least two weeks before the event by the Director of Audience Services at 212.967.7555 or [email protected]. These requests are subject to the availability of a describer and are provided at the discretion of the management.
Upcoming Audio Described Performances
HELL'S KITCHEN: Saturday, December 9, 1PM
MANAHATTA: Saturday, December 16, 1:30PM
THE ALLY: Saturday, March 9, 1PM
SALLY & TOM: Saturday, April 27, 1PM
JORDANS: Sunday, May 5, 1:30PM
Patrons who are Deaf or Have Hearing Loss.
Digital Content for Patrons who are Deaf or Have Hearing Loss
American Sign Language Interpreted Digital Content
The Public's American Sign Language YouTube Playlist
Open Captioned Digital Content
All Public Theater videos on YouTube include Closed Captioning
The Public on Theater YouTube
All Joe's Pub videos on YouTube include Auto Captioning
Joe's Pub on YouTube
In-person Services for Patrons who are Deaf or Have Hearing Loss
Assistive Listening Devices
Assistive listening devices (ALDs) amplify and clarify sound by cutting down or eliminating ambient noise. FM radio assistive listening systems are installed in all of our theaters, and headsets may be used at any seat. Headsets with induction neck-loops are available for patrons who use hearing aids and cochlear implants with a "T" switch. Ask your audiologist whether your hearing aid or cochlear implant has a "T" switch (telecoil) and how to use it with an assistive listening headset.
Headsets are distributed 30 minutes before performances free-of-charge and on a first-come, first-served basis at the entrance to every venue at The Public by speaking to the House Manager, Ticket Taker, or a member of the Host Staff at Joe's Pub. Patrons may acquire a headset at the Box Office of the Delacorte Theater for Free Shakespeare in the Park.
American Sign Language Interpretation
Sign language interpretation is scheduled for select events throughout our Astor Place and Free Shakespeare in the Park seasons. Tickets in the sign-interpreted section can be purchased on-line, by calling Audience Services at 212.967.755 or by email [email protected].
The Public Theater offers sign language interpretation upon request. Requests for sign language interpreters, cued speech transliterators, or oral interpreters for non-designated events must be received at least two weeks before the Director of Audience Services event 212.967.7555 or [email protected]. These requests are subject to the availability of an interpreter and are provided at the management's discretion.
Upcoming American Sign Language Interpreted Performances
HELL'S KITCHEN: Saturday, December 9, 7PM
MANAHATTA: Friday, December 15, 7:30PM
SALLY & TOM: Friday, April 19, 7PM
Open Captioning
Open-captioning is scheduled for select Public Theater events throughout the year. During these events, an experienced captioner scrolls up to three lines of text onto a four-foot-long LED sign in sync with the performance downtown at The Public. Tickets in our open captioned sections may be purchased on our website by selecting a seat that has been designated as Open Caption accessible, by visiting our box office, or by contacting our captioning partner TDF.org.
The Public Theater also offers caption performances and live events upon request. Requests to caption non-designated events must be received at least two weeks before the event by the Director of Audience Services at 212.967.7555 or [email protected]. These requests are subject to the availability of a captioner and are provided at the management's discretion.
Upcoming Open Captioned Performances
HELL'S KITCHEN: Saturday, December 2, 1PM
MANAHATTA: Sunday, December 10, 1:30PM
THE ALLY: Saturday, March 2, 1PM
SALLY & TOM: Saturday, April 20, 1PM
JORDANS: Saturday, May 4, 1:30PM
GalaPro Closed Captioning at The Delacorte
The Public Theater is proud to offer Closed Captioning for performances at The Delacorte Theater through the GalaPro mobile application (app) available for download on your smart device or by borrowing a device from the box office. GalaPro is a first-of-its-kind mobile application that enables attendees to understand the stories unfolding on stage. GalaPro requires a one-time installation of the app. It is easily accessible and can be downloaded for free from the App/Google Play store. Using their multilingual system/ GalaPro provides users with the program of the performance and its show schedule. All services are provided in real-time as the show is running on stage. Their unique technology is explicitly designed to adhere to and respect the theater-going experience of all. Airplane mode is always on, so there will be no phone calls or messages, and a black screen with red or gray lettering is designed so that only the individual looking at their personal device can see the screen. This feature prevents other audience members from being disturbed or distracted. If you need any assistance with the app or have any questions or concerns, please speak to a member of The Public Theater staff for help. Special support for GalaPro was provided by the Zegar Family Foundation, NYC Media & Entertainment, TDF, and the National Alliance for Musical Theatre.
1. Download the mobile app from either Google Play (Android) or AppStore (iPhone).
2. Create an account
- The login page will appear the first time you use the app
- As a new user, please choose "Get started now" or "Login" if you have an account
- Choose your show
- Choose your service, such as closed captioning, amplification, or translation services if available
- Click start
3. Prepare your phone for the show.
- Set your phone to airplane mode
- Open settings > Turn on Wi-Fi > Select GalaPro network for your show > Password is "galapro1"
- Go back into the GalaPro App
- To adjust font size and brightness, use settings on the top left side of the screen
Patrons who have Mobility Disabilities.
Accessible Entrances
All entrances to the building, theaters, and restaurants are accessible. Accessible paths for our venue seating areas vary per space and may require assistance from the staff. Please visit our Venue Accessibility page for additional details on each space.
If you have any questions or concerns about accessibility during your visit, please feel free to speak to a member of our staff upon arrival or email us in advance at [email protected]. Elevators operate between the basement and the third floor of the building. The Newman has a separate elevator used to access wheelchair accessible seating.
Accessible Seating
All venues have a 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. Wheelchair accessible seating may be purchased by phone, in person, and online. For personal assistance selecting accessible seats or for more information about accessibility for a person with a disability, please call us at 212.967.7555 or email us at [email protected].
Accessible Restrooms
All public restrooms are wheelchair accessible. Companion care restrooms are available by speaking to a member of our staff for assistance.
PARTNERS IN ACCESSIBILITY.
Hands On
Hands On is a non-profit arts service organization whose mission is to provide access to New York’s vibrant arts and cultural mainstream for the Deaf and hard of hearing communities. Hands On has coordinated interpreted performances at the Delacorte Theatre since 1984 making possible access for thousands of Deaf and hard of hearing audiences to one of New York’s most iconic and exciting summer events.
TAP
TAP is an accessibility department within TDF, a not-for-profit service organization for the performing arts. Since 1979, TAP has sought to make theatre accessible, enjoyable and affordable to people with disabilities. The TAP audience is comprised of individuals of all ages who are hard of hearing, deaf, partially sighted, blind and on the autism spectrum, as well as people, who for medical reasons, cannot climb stairs, require aisle seating or use wheelchairs. TAP services include open captioned, sign language interpreted, audio described and autism-friendly performances.
YAI
YAI, yai.org, and its network of affiliate agencies offer children ans adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities a comprehensive range of services. YAI is committed to seeing beyond disability, providing opportunities for people to live, love work and learn in their communities.
Founded in 1957 as the Young Adult Institue, YAI remains the at the forefront of an extraordinary movement aimed at empowering people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. YAI has assumed responsibility for those originally served by the HAI organization and assisting those with disabilities in acquiring ADA Accessible tickets for Free Shakespeare in the Park.
If you are interested in reserving a ticket for yourself and one guest please contact:
by email: [email protected]
by phone: 347.701.3114