Accessibility

Accessibility at The Clarice     

                                                                                                                                                                              Photo by David Andrews

We are committed to making The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center and its performances accessible to all guests.

If you have any questions or concerns, need assistance or an accommodation not mentioned below, please contact the ticket office Monday-Friday 12 Noon - 5:00 PM at 301.405.ARTS (2787) or email access-theclarice@umd.edu.

 

Services for In-Person Events 

For additional information or to request a service, please email access-theclarice@umd.edu or call our ticket office at 301.405.2787.

Please note, all services are subject to the availability of suitable seating and qualified professionals. 

American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation

With at least three weeks of notice, you may request sign language interpretation for any performance.

 

Assistive Listening Devices

You may request a free infrared assistive listening device from our ticket office. You may use the device with or without a hearing aid from any seat in any of our six venues. If your hearing aid works with a “T” switch, you may request an Induction neck loop from the ticket office.

Audio Described Performances

With at least three weeks notice before a performance, you may request audio description, which is a concise narration of onstage action broadcast via an FM receiver.

 

Captioning

With at least three weeks notice, real time, professional captioning or transcription of live performances may be available upon request.

Large Print and Braille Programs

Large print programs are available at all performances. Ask a front of house staff member if you would like a copy.
With at least three weeks notice, you may request a large print or Braille program for any Clarice performance.

 

Sensory-Friendly 

Sensory-friendly performances are designed to create a performing arts experience that is welcoming to people on the autism spectrum or sensory sensitivities and families with small children.  

If you are interested in learning more about these events please contact access@umd.edu.

Service Animals 

Service animals are welcome in the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center and its venues. The ticket office will be happy to assist you in selecting a seat where you and your service animal will be comfortable.

Wheelchair Accessible Seating and Entrances

Please request accessible seating when ordering your tickets.

Our ticket office staff is trained to help you select seating that best meets your individual needs. We can assist you, whether you would like to remain in your wheelchair or transfer to a theatre seat. Additionally, we can help you find suitable seating if you do not use a wheelchair but want to avoid stairs.

The Clarice’s main entrance is equipped with power doors, and each of our six venues has accessible entrances. Our house managers are happy to   direct you to the accessible entrance closest to your seat.

Near our Kogod Theatre, you will find an elevator, which you can use to access the balcony level, and next to the Kay Theatre, you’ll find a ramp to access the lower levels of the Dance and Kay Theatres.

Parking

The UMD Department of Transportation designates both free and paid parking spots for vehicles with valid DMV disability parking permits:

  • Free: Designated parking spots may be found on Stadium Drive, between The Clarice and the Stadium Drive Parking Garage. Guests may also park at individual metered spaces for twice the amount of time listed on the meter OR four hours, whichever is shorter, and do NOT need to pay for parking during that time. 

  • Paid: Designated parking spaces are located in the Stadium Drive Garage. Please prepay for your parking space using a pay station or the automated phone system. Because these parking spaces have no time limits, payment is required and is not discounted. 

These spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Parking is managed by the UMD Department of Transportation and the information we post here may change at any time.

For more information, please visit our Parking and Directions webpage.

Accessible Restrooms

All restrooms in The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center are wheelchair accessible.

Our restrooms are conveniently located in four areas around the Grand Pavilion: across from the ticket office, outside the Dance Theatre (both levels) and at the top of the Grand Pavilion Staircase across from Applause Café.

We also offer a single use companion restroom on the balcony level near the Kay Theatre, along with an all-gender restroom on the balcony level near the Dance Theatre. 

Our front of house staff will be happy to direct you to the accessible restroom closest to your theatre.

 

Services for Virtual | Streamed Events 

For additional information and to request a service, please email access-theclarice@umd.edu or call our ticket office: 301.405.2787 Monday-Friday 12 Noon - 5:00 PM. 

Please note, all services are subject to the availability of qualified professionals.  

American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation

With at least one week of advance notice, you may request sign language interpretation for any performance.

 

Captioning

With at least one week notice, real time, professional captioning and/or a live transcription of live streamed videos is available upon request.

Some live streams are simulcast to the presenter's Facebook page, which provides auto generated captions.

Sensory-Friendly 

Sensory-friendly performances are designed to create a performing arts experience that is welcoming to people on the autism spectrum or sensory sensitivities and families with small children.  

If you are interested in learning more about these events please contact access-theclarice@umd.edu.