Accessibility
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At Waterville Creates, we believe that arts experiences should be for all. Every visitor who walks through our doors at the Paul J. Schupf Art Center should feel empowered to explore, discover, and connect with the transformative power of the arts.
Read on for more information about accommodations for mobility, hearing, and vision.
Finding Your Way
MOBILITY
- All street-level entrances to the Paul J. Schupf Art Center are wheelchair accessible.
- Only the Main Street entrance nearest the Ed Harris Box Office, under the ARTS sign, features automatic doors.
- Wheelchairs are available at the Ed Harris Box Office.
- Designated wheelchair seating is available in all three film screening rooms as well as the orchestra level of the Waterville Opera House.
Elevators
- The elevator provides access to Maine Film Center cinemas and concessions, as well as the Bibby and Harold Alfond Sky Bridge to the Waterville Opera House.
- The Waterville Opera House lobby and orchestra section is accessible by elevator. Please note that the balcony is only accessible by stairs.
GoodMaps’ inclusive indoor navigation and wayfinding technology is available now at Waterville Creates.
The GoodMaps app is free and turns your smartphone into a personal guide to help you navigate the space with ease and independence.
GoodMaps provides precise, turn-by-turn directions to elevators, restrooms, food and beverage options, and more.
Blind and low-vision visitors can use the app instead of (or in addition to) sighted assistance, while visitors using wheelchairs or strollers benefit from the app’s guidance to stair-free and ADA-accessible routes.
Parking
There are several free parking lots within walking distance of the Paul J. Schupf Art Center, including The Concourse, Head of Falls, and the City Hall parking lot, which is available on weekends and after 5pm on weekdays. Two-hour parking is also available on Main Street before 5pm and is unlimited in the evening and on weekends.
Accessible Parking
Accessible parking is located at the rear of our building, accessed via Front Street.
Assistive Listening
Assistive Listening Devices
Listening devices are available for shows at the Waterville Opera House and Maine Film Center, including during the Maine International Film Festival, upon request.
Look for this sign and ask a staff member for more information.
Open and Closed-Captioning
Tuesday evenings (after 4pm) and Wednesday early film matinées (before 4pm) at the Maine Film Center will have open captions when available.
Open caption showtimes are indicated online and at the box office with (OC) next to the time.
Closed-captioning devices are available for most shows at the Maine Film Center concessions stand on the second floor.
ASL Interpretation
The Waterville Opera House is pleased to offer ASL interpretation for one performance of every theatrical production. ASL interpreted performances are indicated with this sign on posters, social media, and online.
Assistive listening devices available upon entering the theatre.
Sensitivity
Many of our live shows contain strobes and other lighting effects, smoke, and loud sound effects. If you are concerned about sensitivity to any of these, please contact the Ed Harris Box Office in advance for more information.
Earplugs are available at the Ed Harris Box Office and Waterville Opera House concessions.
Please contact us ahead of your show or event if there is anything we can do to make your visit more accessible by calling the Ed Harris Box Office at 207.873.7000 or emailing [email protected].
Suggestions?
If you or someone you know could benefit from an accommodation we don’t offer, let us know! Contact us today.
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