Accessible Seating & Accessible Services

Wheelchair Accessible Locations, Seating for Guests with a Mobility Disability, & Bariatric Seating

• DPAC offers accessible seating in a variety of price points in the Orchestra, Grand Tier, and Balcony seating areas of DPAC.
• Those purchasing accessible seating may purchase one (1) accessible seat and up to three (3) companion seats; any additional seats must be purchased in other seating areas. This policy ensures that we can accommodate as many guests as possible with a disability.
• Accessible seats may be purchased via the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina – Ticket Center at DPAC.
• By Phone
  • For personalized service, we encourage accessible seating customers to contact us directly by phone at (919) 680-2787.
  • Open 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday; 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Saturday.
  • Customers can also email DPAC, and we will coordinate a specific time to call and discuss best seating options with you.
    • customerservice@dpacnc.com
• In-Person
  • 123 Vivian Street / William V. “Bill” Bell Way, Durham, NC 27701
  • Open 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, Monday through Saturday.
• Online
  • DPACnc.com 

For guests with a mobility or physical disability that may limit a person’s walking distance or for guests that use a wheelchair, walker, or crutches, DPAC offers the following parking recommendations. Please review these options and do not hesitate to contact us for added assistance or questions at AccessibleServices@dpacnc.com.

American Tobacco Campus (ATC) - East Deck

• Location

  • Immediately adjacent to and just south of DPAC

  • 250 South Mangum Street, Durham, North Carolina 27701
• Distance from DPAC
  • 1/10 mile
  • Flat or ramp access to entry doors
  • Pedestrian time of about 3-5 minutes
• Description
  • Attached to the Aloft Hotel, the ATC - East Deck offers over 600 well-lit spaces (w/ LED lighting) located on seven levels with one main elevator servicing all levels and a second elevator servicing levels 1-6.
  • Accessible parking spaces are located adjacent to main elevator landing on each level.
• Parking Charge
  • $10.00 per car (credit card only)
  • Pre-purchase of the ATC - East Deck parking is not-available.
• Operating Hours
  • For most events, the ATC - East Deck opens two-hours prior to show time and remains open through midnight.
  • Some exceptions to the opening times may apply including:
    • Weekday (Monday to Friday) matinees where the ATC - East Deck is not available for any event parking
    • Weekday evening events that start at 6:00 PM or 6:30 PM and in such cases the ATC - East Deck opens at 5:00 PM.
• Added Parking Tip(s)
  • Arrive early, as the ATC - East Deck often sells out 60-90 minutes before the start of each event.
  • East Deck is also the most convenient parking area for DPAC’s signature restaurant partner NanaSteak.
  • Though this is the closest parking deck to DPAC, there is a trade off in that lines for the elevators after an event can build up.

Vivian Street / William V. “Bill” Bell Way / On Street Parking Reserved for Accessible Parking

• Location

  • Located directly in front of DPAC between Blackwell Street and Mangum Street.
  • On street parking directly in front of DPAC
  • 123 Vivian Street / William V. “Bill” Bell Way, Durham, NC 27701
• Distance from DPAC
  • 75 to 300 feet
  • Flat or ramp access to entry doors
  • Pedestrian time of about 1-3 minutes
• Description
  • 25 parallel parking spaces, reserved exclusively for accessible parking for DPAC events
  • Requires a state-issued accessible parking placard or accessible license plate
  • Please look for attendants in bright yellow vests at each end of the street. These attendants are there to assist you with access to the street and parking guidance.
  • Some spaces are located on a side of the street without a sidewalk, and use of a right-side chair lift will require pulling in towards traffic.
• Parking Charge
  • No charge, these parking spaces are complimentary
  • Spaces are first-come, first-serve
• Operating Hours
  • Broadway events: Opens two and a half (2.5) hours prior to show time and remains open through midnight
  • Concerts, Comedy and Special Events: Opens two (2) hours prior to show time and remains open through midnight
• Added Parking Tip(s)
  • Arrive early, as Vivian Street / William V. “Bill” Bell Way parking spaces often fill 90-120 minutes before show time.

American Tobacco Campus (ATC) - North Deck including parking for DPAC's Courtesy Shuttle

• Location

  • Just west of DPAC
  • 305 West Pettigrew, Durham, North Carolina 27701
• Distance from DPAC
  • 3/10 mile
  • Flat or ramp access to entry doors
  • Pedestrian time of 5-7 minutes
• Description
  • This is the area’s largest parking deck and a favorite of many DPAC guests. The ATC - North Deck offers over 1,700 well-lit spaces (w/ LED lighting), located on six levels with three elevators servicing all levels
  • Accessible parking spaces, located adjacent to the main elevator landing on each level.
• Parking Charge
  • $10.00 per car (credit card only)
  • Pre-purchase of the ATC - North Deck parking is not-available.
• Operating Hours
  • For most events, the ATC North Deck opens two-hours prior to show time and remains open through midnight.
  • Some exceptions to the opening times may apply including:
    • Weekday (Monday to Friday) matinees where the ATC - North Deck is not available for any event parking
    • Weekday evening events that start at 6:00 PM or 6:30 PM and in such cases the ATC – North Deck opens at 5:00 PM.
• Courtesy Shuttle - Accessible Parking at North Deck
  • For guests with a mobility or physical disability that may limit a person’s walking distance, DPAC operates a Courtesy Shuttle from the ATC - North Deck.
  • Accessible parking for DPAC’s Courtesy Shuttle Is located on the ground floor of the ATC – North Deck.
  • When you arrive at the ATC - North Deck, ask the parking attendant for accessible parking for DPAC’s Courtesy Shuttle and look for special DPAC logo signs with an accessible parking symbol.
  • Once parked, look for the shuttle pick-up signs and benches.
  • DPAC’s Courtesy Shuttle begins operation 90-minutes before show time, circulates approximately every ten minutes and will bring you to within 100 feet of DPAC’s entry doors.
  • After the event, DPAC’s Courtesy Shuttle circulates approximately every ten minutes to return guests with a mobility or physical disability to the ATC – North Deck.
  • Look for the red awning kiosk marked Courtesy Shuttle located just to the west of DPAC’s main entry lobby.
  • Please note: DPAC’s Courtesy Shuttle service is not accessible for guests who use a wheelchair. For additional parking options for guests who use a wheelchair, please email us at:
    • AccessibleServices@DPACnc.com

• Accessible restrooms are in the Entry Lobby on the ground floor, the Orchestra Lobby on the second floor and the Grand Tier Lobby on the third floor which also serves as the restrooms for our Balcony guests.
• In addition, DPAC has two Family Restrooms which are single stall-accessible restrooms located in the Entry Lobby on the ground floor, perfect for guests with a disability who have a companion or attendant assisting them.

These devices help amplify and clarify sound for patrons who are hard of hearing.

• For all events, DPAC offers complimentary Assistive Listening Devices using the state-of-the-art FM quality sound and multiple volume settings for use by guests seated in all seating sections of DPAC.
• Complimentary Assistive Listening Devices and staff assistance can be found before each show at the Guest Services kiosk located in the Entry Lobby on the ground floor of DPAC. Advance reservation of Assistive Listening Devices is not required.
• DPAC’s Assistive Listening Devices offer two ways to connect to the audio signal from each show.
• FM Receiver and Earphones
  • With this option DPAC provides a small receiver and earphones.
  • You are welcome to bring your own headphones. We recommend noise cancelling headphones for the best sound experience.
  • Guests may also bring their own personal earphones to use with the provided receiver.
• FM Receiver and Induction Loop
  • With this option DPAC provides a small receiver and induction loop that connects directly to personal hearing aids that have the Telecoil feature (sometimes called T-coil or “T” switch setting).
  • Ask your audiologist whether your hearing aid or cochlear implant has a "T" switch (telecoil feature) and how to use it with an assistive listening headset.

Our designated pick-up / drop-off area is located on Vivian Street / William V. “Bill” Bell Way, directly in front of DPAC and is accessible from the west via Blackwell Street and from the east via Mangum Street.

• Location
  • Located directly in front of DPAC
    • 123 Vivian Street / William V. “Bill” Bell Way, Durham, North Carolina 27701
  • Attendants in bright yellow vests are positioned at each end of Vivian Street / William V. “Bill” Bell Way. These attendants are there to assist you with access to Vivian Street / William V. “Bill” Bell Way and guidance on drop-off and pick-up of your guest(s).
  • Look for the Drop-off / Pick-up kiosk with a gray awning located mid-block.
  • Distance from Drop-off / Pick-up kiosk to entry doors is 125 feet with flat or ramp access.
• Operating Hours
  • Look for the DPAC Staff in red shirts who are stationed to assist guests at the Drop-off kiosk beginning 60-minutes before show time.
• Courtesy Wheelchairs
  • Courtesy wheelchairs are also available to transfer guests from the drop-off area into DPAC where the guest would then transfer to a fixed or accessible seat in the seating area.
    • Note: DPAC’s wheelchairs are intended for transportation to and from the seating area and are not to be used for the entire show.
  • After the show, DPAC staff will assist guests in returning to the pick-up location on Vivian Street / William V. “Bill” Bell Way and will wait while a companion arrives with the car for pick-up.

• For guests of size, DPAC has 30-inch-wide bariatric seating available upon request.
• Bariatric chairs are designed to fit into our wheelchair accessible locations.
• Please submit a request for bariatric seating prior to the event by emailing DPAC at AccessibleServices@DPACnc.com.

Trained audio describers provide a live, descriptive delivery of the action and visual elements of a performance in between the dialogue and/or music with guests listening via a small FM receiver.

• Audio Description is available upon request for select performances.
• For Broadway performances, the first and / or second Saturday matinee performance in an engagement is normally available for a guest to request Audio Description.
• Requests must be made at least two-weeks prior to the performance and are subject to the availability of an Audio Description service.
• Please submit a request for Audio Description at least two weeks before your show by emailing DPAC at AccessibleServices@dpacnc.com
• Once this service is confirmed, you’ll be contacted by DPAC’s Ticketing Team to assist with ticket purchase.

Captioning is for guests who have hearing loss. The audible elements of the performance are shown on a digital screen onstage or on your mobile phone in real time, as each line is spoken or sung.

• Captioning with a Digital Screen Onstage
  • Captioning is available upon request for select performances.
  • For Broadway performances, the first and / or second Thursday evening performance in an engagement is normally available for a guest to request Captioning.
  • Requests must be made at least two-weeks prior to the performance and are subject to the availability of a Captioning service.
  • Please submit a request for Captioning at least two weeks before your show by emailing DPAC at accessibleservices@dpacnc.com
  • Once this service is confirmed, you’ll be contacted by DPAC’s Ticketing Team to assist with ticket purchase.
• Captioning with GalaPro Right on Your Mobile Phone
  • GalaPro is an accessible service provider that travels with many Broadway shows.
  • When provided by a Broadway show at DPAC, Captioning using the GalaPro app and software is available for all performances of that Broadway show and their engagement at DPAC.
    • Current shows with GalaPro include Buena Vista Social Club, Maybe Happy Ending, Death Becomes Her, MAMMA MIA!, Waitress, Hadestown, WICKED, and Phantom of the Opera.
  • With this Captioning service, dialog and song lyrics from the show are transposed and streamed to appear as text on your mobile phone at any seat.
  • You can use the app settings to adjust font size and brightness.
  • Many users find the captioning service helpful to follow the show, especially when the actors have distinct accents and speak or sing quickly.
  • To get started, simply download the free app from the App Store or Google Play.
    • https://www.galapro.com/
  • For more information visit the Guest Services kiosk located in the Entry Lobby on the ground floor of DPAC before the performance or download this user guide.

For guests who are deaf and use American Sign Language as their primary means of communication, experienced theatre interpreters stand to the side of the stage and translate what the actors are saying or singing into American Sign Language (ASL).

• Sign Language Interpretation is available upon request for select performances.
• For Broadway performances, the first and / or second Sunday evening performance in an engagement is normally available for a guest to request Sign Language Interpretation.
• Requests must be made at least two-weeks prior to the event and are subject to the availability of a certified Sign Language Interpretation service.
• Please submit a request for Sign language Interpretation at least two weeks before your show by emailing DPAC at AccessibleServices@dpacnc.com
• Once this service is confirmed, you’ll be contacted by DPAC’s Ticketing Team to assist with ticket purchase.

• Service animals are welcome at DPAC.
  • A service animal is defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The tasks performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability.
• Purpose of a Service Animal
  • In accordance with the ADA, DPAC may ask if the animal is required because of a disability and what work or task the animal has been trained to perform. DPAC will not require documentation, such as proof that the animal has been certified, trained, or licensed as a service animal.
• Identifying Service Animals
  • At DPAC, we place a high value on the comfort and safety of our guests. We ask that service animals remain on a collar, leash, and wear the proper attire including a tag and or vest identifying themselves as a service animal or service animal in training.
• The following are NOT considered to be service animals.
  • Animals that are not a dog or a miniature horse.
  • Therapy animals; Emotional support or comfort pets; companion animals; and "social/therapy" animals since emotional support or comfort is not a task related to a person’s disability.
• Questions / Contact Us
  • If you intend to bring a service animal to an event, no advance notice to DPAC is needed.
  • DPAC recommends notifying your ticket representative at the time of purchase so that an accessible aisle seat may be reserved for you.