Accessibility Information

Ever since we opened our doors in 1956, Lincoln Center has been committed to bringing the best of the performing arts to everyone. We were the first arts center in the country to include wheelchair seating and accessible restrooms in its original plans.

Established in 1985, our Department of Program and Services for People with Disabilities (PSPD) has become a pioneer among cultural institutions in its vigilant response to the evolving needs of patrons with disabilities. Today, through PSPD's unwavering efforts, Lincoln Center sets the standards for arts accessibility through ongoing improvements to its facilities as well as providing a wide array of services for people with disabilities. PSPD—and the countless volunteers who dedicate their free time—continue to meet its central goal: Ensure that everyone can experience the exciting world of the performing arts of
Lincoln Center—and beyond.

The staff and volunteers of Lincoln Center's Department of Program and Services for People with Disabilities (PSPD) are committed to the following principles in order to present the vitality of the performing arts to everyone:

Provide access and full participation in the world of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts for patrons, artists, and employees with disabilities.

Encourage women, men, and children with disabilities of all ages, ethnic, racial and religious origins, and economic backgrounds to learn about and participate in programs at Lincoln Center.

Develop and nurture a working relationship with people with disabilities so that the department's programs and services will be responsive to this community's changing needs.

PSPD has served as a national model for a variety of programs concerned with improving arts accessibility for patrons, visitors and artists with disabilities. Special services are provided for those with a wide range of disabilities. For example, supplementary large-type and Braille house programs are distributed free of charge for performances of Lincoln Center's own Mostly Mozart Festival, Lincoln Center Festival, and Great Performers series, as well as for New York Philharmonic, Jazz at Lincoln and Chamber Music Society concerts. Assistive Listening Devices are available throughout the campus.

In addition PSPD coordinates other support services for those with disabilities and maintains outreach programs for the disabled community. One such program is "Passport to the World of the Performing Arts". This program opens new horizons and provides a window on the world through the performing arts for children with disabilities and is divided into two components.

The first component—provides children with disabilities, their parents and siblings an opportunity to experience weekend performances geared for children at Lincoln Center.

The second component—provides children with disabilities an opportunity to come to Lincoln Center on school buses with their classmates to attend the Meet the Artist School Series. This program celebrates the diversity of the performing arts by exploring opera or the silent art of mime, Broadway or the new beats, improv or tap. Each program offers exciting performances as well as direct instruction and inspiration from the artists.

Another program is PSPD's Community Outreach Program. This program brings Lincoln Center entertainment to the physically challenged residents of hospital and nursing homes to enrich their lives. Participants in this program include the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Jazz at Lincoln Center and The Juilliard School.

In addition the Department is responsible for conducting awareness/sensitivity training for staff and volunteers, advising on different areas of accessibility for the Lincoln Center campus, printing an accessibility brochure, arranging sign language interpreters for Lincoln Center tours, producing Large Print programs and producing a Braille map of the campus, as well as Braille programs and restaurant menus.

If you would like to receive our accessibility guide in print, Braille or on tape, or require any other accessibility information, please call 212.875.5375 or TTY 212.875.5409.