Accessibility at Hancher

The Hancher Auditorium staff is dedicated to making the facility and performances accessible to all.

Many accessibility services and amenities are listed below. For questions about accessibility at Hancher or to arrange services for an upcoming performance, please contact Paris Young, Patron Services Manager, at paris-sissel@uiowa.edu or fill out this accessibility service request form. 

Hancher Accessibility Request Form

 

Parking

Complimentary parking is available in the southside parking lot (Lot 55) for Hancher's evening and weekend events on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to the numerous facilities located in the area, traffic and parking congestion may occur, especially at Broadway shows and popular events. Arrive early and allow ample time to be seated for a performance. Patrons who arrive after curtain time may be admitted to an observation booth and are seated in the auditorium at an appropriate break in the performance as determined by the artist. 

Accessible parking: 

• There is a small parking lot (box office parking) on the southwest (non-river) side of Hancher that serves as accessible parking at all times.
• There is an accessible drop off zone near Hancher’s main entrance (river side).
• Additional accessibility parking for large events will be clearly labeled.

View a detailed parking map

 

Bus Transit

Bus stops are located in the middle of lot 55 and on Park Road on the north west side of building. Learn more about the Blue and Red Routes that stop at Hancher here. 

View a map of Blue and Red CAMBUS routes

 

Accessible seating

• Wheelchair seating: Tickets for spaces that accommodate wheelchairs—as well as for adjacent companion seating—are available. Wheelchair spaces can only be purchesed by phone or in person from the Hancher Box Office. 
• Bariatric seats: Hancher has several bariatric seats throughout the auditorium. These seats are 8 inches wider than standard auditorium seats.
• Handrails are conveniently placed next to the stairs in the seating areas to provide assistance to our patrons.
• Benches and additional seating is available outside of the auditorium on every level of the building.
• Booster seats are available upon request from the concierge desk. 

 

House wheelchairs

• Hancher can provide a house wheelchair to enhance mobility within the building. These wheelchairs can often be found just inside the entrances or can be obtained from an usher.
  • House wheelchairs are for transfer only; guests are not permitted to utilize them as an auditorium seat. 

 

Assistance with seat transfers

• Hancher ushers are available to assist in transferring guests from wheelchairs into auditorium seats and back again. Ushers will not assist with transfer in and out of a vehicle.

 

Elevators

• Two elevators are located on the eastern (river) side of the building.

 

Hearing augmentation

• Hearing augmentation devices are available for performances in the auditorium. Hearing augmentation units and headsets can be checked out at the concierge desk across from the Hancher Box Office.
• T-coil system: If your hearing aid has t-coil capability, you can connect to our loop to augment performance sound.
• ASL interpretation is available for Sunday matinees of Broadway shows and by advance request.
• Ear plugs are available by request at the concierge desk across from the Hancher Box Office. 

 

Visual augmentation

• Audio description services are available for Sunday matinees of Broadway performances and by advance request.
• A limited amount of binoculars are available at the concierge desk across from the Hancher Box Office.
• A limited number of handheld screens that enhance the view from the stage are available. Please contact one week in advance to reserve.
• Large print playbills are available by request at least two business days in advance of the performance.

 

Observations booths

• At the back of the Parterre level, inside Doors 3 and 4, there are small rooms where you can enjoy the performance with restless young ones, a cough, individuals with sensory sensitivities, and the like. An usher can direct you to the booths.

 

Bathrooms

• There are gender-neutral family bathrooms located on the first floor by the elevator, on the second floor by Stanley Café, and on the third floor near the restrooms
• Diaper changing stations are available in both the mens and women's restrooms. 

 

Lactation room

• A lactation room is located inside the women’s restroom in the eastern corridor (river side) on the ground floor.

 

For any other requests or more information, please contact Paris Young at paris-sissel@uiowa.edu or fill out this form.