For the purposes of this section, “accessible seating” is defined as wheelchair spaces and companion seats that comply with sections 221 (Assembly Areas) and 802 (Wheelchair Spaces, Companion Seats, and Designated Aisle Seats) of the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.

Ticket sales:  NIACC will sell tickets for a single event or series of events to ensure that individuals with disabilities have an equal opportunity to purchase tickets for accessible seating…

• During the same hours;
• During the same stages of ticket sales;
• Through the same methods of distribution;
• In the same types and numbers of ticketing sales outlets, including telephone service and in-person ticket sales at the facility;
• Under the same terms and conditions as other tickets sold for the same event or series of events.

Upon inquiry, when NIACC sells or distributes tickets for a single event or series of events we shall:

1. Inform individuals with disabilities and their companions purchasing tickets for accessible seating on behalf of individuals with disabilities of the locations of all unsold or otherwise available accessible seating for any ticketed event or events at the facility;
2. Identify and describe the features of available accessible seating in enough detail to reasonably permit an individual with a disability to assess independently whether a given accessible seating location meets his or her accessibility needs; and
3. Provide materials, such as seating maps that identify accessible seating and information relevant thereto, upon request.

Tickets for accessible seating at a particular price level may not be provided because barrier removal in our existing facility is not readily achievable. Instead, the percentage of tickets for accessible seating that should have been available at that price level but for the barriers shall be offered for purchase, at that price level, in a nearby or similar accessible location. This equates to 17% of our accessible seats, or two (2) seats in the NIACC Auditorium.

If a person requiring accessible seating is purchasing multiple tickets, for each ticket for a wheelchair space purchased by an individual with a disability, NIACC shall make available for purchase three additional tickets for seats in the same row that are contiguous with the wheelchair space, provided that at the time of purchase there are three such seats available.

If there are an insufficient number of additional contiguous seats available, NIACC shall offer the next highest number of such seat tickets available for purchase and shall make up the difference by offering tickets for sale for seats that are as close as possible to the accessible seats.

Group Sales: If a group includes one or more individuals who needs to use accessible seating because of a mobility disability or because their disability requires the use of the accessible features that are provided in accessible seating, the group shall be placed in a seating area with accessible seating so that, if possible, the group can sit together. If it is necessary to divide the group, it should be divided so that the individuals in the group who use wheelchairs are not isolated from their group.

Hold and release of tickets for accessible seating: NIACC will release unsold tickets for accessible seating for sale to individuals without disabilities for their own use for a single event or series of events under the following circumstances:

• When all non-accessible tickets have been sold;
• When all non-accessible tickets in a designated seating area have been sold and the tickets for accessible seating are being released in the same designated area; or
• When all non-accessible tickets in a designated price category have been sold and the tickets for accessible seating are being released within the same designated price category.

Release of series-of-events tickets on a series-of-events basis: When series-of-events tickets are sold out and a public accommodation releases and sells accessible seating to individuals without disabilities for a series of events, NIACC shall prevent the automatic reassignment of the accessible seating to such ticket holders for future seasons, future years, or future series, so that individuals with disabilities who require the features of accessible seating and who become newly eligible to purchase tickets when these series-of-events tickets are available for purchase have an opportunity to do so.

When series-of-events tickets with an ownership right in accessible seating areas are forfeited or otherwise returned to NIACC, NIACC shall make afford individuals with mobility disabilities or individuals with disabilities that require the features of accessible seating an opportunity to purchase such tickets in accessible seating areas.

NIACC may inquire whether the individual purchasing the tickets for accessible seating (or someone who is purchasing tickets on behalf of a person with a disability) has a mobility disability or a disability that requires the use of accessible features that are provided in accessible seating. NIACC shall not require proof of disability, but NIACC may investigate the potential misuse of accessible seating where there is good cause to believe that such seating has been purchased fraudulently.

The purchase or use of accessible seats by individuals that do not need accessible seating is strictly prohibited.