Frequently Asked Questions – Accessibility & Accommodations

What accommodations are provided at Charlotte Ballet programming?

We are pleased to offer the following accommodations: ground-level entry, ramped access, and/or elevators to the venue; integrated and dispersed wheelchair seating in assembly areas; wheelchair-accessible restrooms (including accessible sinks, toilet stalls, water foundations, soap & paper dispensers); wheelchair-accessible box office; wheelchair-accessible stage & dressing rooms; wheelchair-accessible counters/concessions; accessible administrative offices; accessible emergency exits and audio/visual emergency alarm; designated accessible parking spots with route to venue entrance; large print materials (upon request); electronic file (upon request); sign language interpretation (upon request); open or closed captioning of audiovisuals (upon request); real-time captioning (upon request); TDD, telephone/typewriter; assistive listening devices; sensory-friendly performances.

How do I request accommodations for the Reach Scholarship Program?

Charlotte Ballet provides a space for participants to fill out any accessibility needs a student has during enrollment into the Reach program. This allows the team and educators an opportunity to provide support to these students and plan and communicate prior to classes beginning.

I have additional accessibility questions. Who can I contact?

For further accessibility questions or accommodations, please feel free to reach out to our Director of Facilities & Property Development, Adriana Acedo (aacedo@charlotteballet.org | 704.414.2763).

If your questions specifically pertain to ticketing/performances, you may also connect with our Patron Services & Ticketing Operations Manager, Jonathan Long (jlong@charlotteballet.org | 704.414.2791).

If your questions specifically pertain to the Reach Scholarship Program or other community or educational programs, you may connect with our Director of Education & Community Engagement, Kimberly Pereira (kpereira@charlotteballet.org | 704.414.2775).

Can you tell me more about Charlotte Ballet’s accessibility programs?

Charlotte Ballet strives to serve and reflect the diversity of our community and ensure that every member has an opportunity to experience dance. While all of our programming and performances aim to serve people with disabilities to the greatest extent possible, our Education & Community Engagement programming specifically offers four accessibility programs.

Through a partnership with the Arts & Science Council, Charlotte Ballet offers an all-accessibility dance class at a community recreation center and virtually via Zoom. This class taught by a Charlotte Ballet Teaching Artist is offered in a hybrid model to ensure the safe participation of all who would like to join. Dance for All Abilities is an inclusive class that explores movement and creativity in an inviting and open environment for dancers of all abilities and disabilities. Participants benefit from improved strength, flexibility and stamina. Dance for All Abilities classes are drop-in, open to all ages and free of charge for participants.

Through a partnership with Atrium Health, Charlotte Ballet provides adaptive dance classes at Carolinas Rehabilitation. Like our Dance for All Abilities classes, these inclusive classes explore movement and creativity in an inviting and open environment for dancers of all abilities where participants benefit from improved strength, flexibility and stamina. This class offers a multitude of modifications to ensure safe participation.

Charlotte Ballet also provides classes specifically designed for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A partnership with InReach, a non-profit organization that supports adults with intellectual, developmental and other disabilities, offers their members and caregivers weekly dance classes taught by Charlotte Ballet Teaching Artists. InReach classes culminate with a year-end performance at Charlotte Ballet’s Center for Dance.

Beyond dance classes, Charlotte Ballet’s fourth accessibility program invites individuals experiencing disabilities or life-threatening illnesses to the theater. Partnerships with A Kid Again, Allegro Foundation, Autism Society of NC, Autism Speaks, Autism Strong, Compleat Kidz, Down Syndrome Association of Greater Charlotte, Gigi’s Playhouse, Hope Kids, InReach and Mecklenburg County Therapeutic & Inclusive Recreation Services support Charlotte Ballet’s Sensory Friendly Performances. Sensory Friendly Performances give individuals affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders and other sensory, social and cognitive disabilities, plus those experiencing life-threatening illnesses, the opportunity to comfortably enjoy ballets like Nutcracker. At these abbreviated performances, pre-recorded music is used to control sound levels and sudden noises, theater lights are kept partially on, audience members are encouraged to come and go as they please and reduced theater capacity intentionally allows for space between patrons.