Accessibility Information
We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all visitors. We strive to serve everyone who comes to our events, regardless of their abilities. Our goal is to ensure that every guest can fully enjoy the Albany Symphony experience.
We are on our Inclusion Journey! The Albany Symphony is working with Rochester Accessible Adventures as Inclusion Partners.
Inclusion Point of Contact
If you have specific accessibility needs, please let us know how we can assist you by reaching out to our Inclusion Point of Contact, Tori Conner. She acts as the “go-to” person for anyone seeking support, information on inclusive practices, or assistance in ensuring that every visitor feels welcome and supported at the Albany Symphony.
For current accessibility information, please see the details below. If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions about accessibility at the Albany Symphony, don’t hesitate to contact Tori at Toric@AlbanySymphony.com.
Accessibility at our venues
We perform at several concert halls throughout the Capital Region. Each venue we perform in has its own unique layout and policies, so accessibility features and accommodations will vary by location.
We work to keep our venue information current and accurate. If you don't find what you need or have questions we can't answer, we'll connect you directly with the venue for the most up-to-date details. Please contact the Albany Symphony Box Office at (518) 694 3300 or email us at patronservices@albanysymphony.com (Tuesdays & Thursdays from 9:00am-4:00pm)
Palace Theatre
Parking
Handicapped parking spaces are available around the Palace Theatre, but are limited in number, so we recommend arriving a little early if you would like to use one of these spots or instead making plans to be dropped off directly in front of the Palace Theatre if possible.
The majority of our patrons use the Quackenbush Garage or the Quackenbush Lot on the other side of Federal Park. These lots are both paid parking through Park Albany. Please note that parking in Quackenbush Garage or Lot will require a walk of .25 miles that includes a slope of 7° at its steepest point for roughly 200 feet. Metered parking around the venue is free after 5pm, but spots are often filled very quickly.
We also provide a round-trip shuttle service where patrons can park at CDTA's "Park and Ride" on Elm St in Delmar, (next to Bethlehem Community Church off Delmar Bypass), and then are driven directly to the front door of the theatre. After the concert, the shuttle will be waiting at the front door for the return trip.
Box Office
On concert nights at the Palace Theatre, tickets are sold at the Albany Symphony box office, 2 storefronts over from the Palace Marquee. The Palace Theatre sits at the bottom of a hill, and there is a slight incline as you approach the Albany Symphony box office. We recommend purchasing tickets in advance either online or by phone if you have difficulty with inclines.
Will Call is located at the main entrance of the Palace Theatre.
Restrooms
Accessible restrooms are located in the main lobby across from the bar. As you enter into the Palace theatre, it will be to your right after your ticket is scanned (across from the bar). There is only one accessible restroom at the Palace Theatre, and there may be a significant line during intermission.
Mobility devices
A limited number of wheelchairs are available to help patrons to and from their seats. Wheelchairs are not provided for the duration of the performance. Walkers can be checked with the ushers, who will return them after the performance.
Wheelchair platforms
The Palace provides two flat platform spaces for patrons who wish to use their wheelchair for the duration of the performance. The left platform has space for six wheelchairs and the right platform has space for two. The fixed seats adjacent to these platforms are categorized as ADA Companion seats and are reserved for those accompanying a patron using a wheelchair. Please contact our box office to purchase these seats.
Accessible seating
All Orchestra seating is ADA-accessible. There is an upward incline from street level into the main lobby and a downward incline from the back of the Orchestra seating to the stage.
Inclines:
There is a 7° slope for 1.5 feet directly in front of the front doors.
There is a 4° slope in this vestibule and a 3° slope in the foyer leading to the main lobby.
The main lobby with concessions and the accessible bathroom has a floor slope of 4°.
The seating aisles are 11° at their steepest for 5 feet at the top ideally we’d specify rows here. The slope lessens to 3° in front of the stage.
If you have difficulty with inclines, we recommend sitting in Rows W through Z of the Orchestra to allow for easy access from the main lobby.
Balcony and Loge seating is only accessible by stairs.
Assisted listening
Assisted listening devices are available for loan in limited number at the Palace Theatre. Upon arrival, please see the House Manager in the main lobby to acquire one. A form of ID is required as “deposit” for the device until returned.
Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
Parking
Parking adjacent to the venue is limited. The nearest public parking garage is four blocks away. Please note that sidewalks may be icy or unshoveled during winter months.
If you have mobility concerns or difficulty walking, we recommend arranging for someone to drop you off at the theatre entrance. There will be no-parking signs in this area to accommodate our concert shuttle (on Second Street near the corner of Second Street and State Street). Please use this area as a drop-off and pick up area. Please note that this is a one-way street that can become narrow when cars are parked on both sides.
Drop-Off & Pick-Up Guidelines
Please take your time during drop-off and pick-up to ensure safety
Move your vehicle promptly to make room for other guests
Access
The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall lobby, Parquet, Dress Circle & Wheelchair seating sections are accessible via elevator in the main lobby. Patrons requiring the elevator are advised to arrive early. Balcony, Box, and Gallery seating are only accessible by stairs. Trained Service Animals are welcome. Please note that there may be a bit of a wait for the elevator at the conclusion of the performance.
Mobility devices
A wheelchair is available to help patrons to and from their seats. Wheelchairs are not provided for the duration of the performance. Walkers can be checked with the ushers, who will return them after the performance.
Wheelchair platforms
Troy Savings Bank provides a flat platform in the center of the Dress Circle for patrons who wish to use their wheelchair for the duration of the performance with space for four wheelchairs. Four fixed seats on either side of the platform are categorized as ADA Companion seats and are reserved for those accompanying a patron using a wheelchair.
Assissted listening
Personal Assisted Listening Devices are available at no cost at the Concierge Desk in the Music Hall lobby and may be checked out with a valid ID. These devices use headphones to deliver the audio transmission; we cannot live stream audio directly to hearing aids or other hearing equipment.
EMPAC at RPI
Parking
The main lobby is accessible via the East entrance facing campus, with vehicle drive off College Ave. The vehicle drive leads to the EMPAC parking garage, or to a valet circle with reserved accessible parking spaces and zero-barrier access to the main lobby. Parking adjacent to the venue is limited, and the parking garage is a .4 mile walk. EMPAC sits on top of a hill. We recommend having someone drop you off via the valet circle if you have difficulty with inclines.
Access
EMPAC is a multi-level building with four venues. Patrons enter the building on level 7, street-level to the campus. All four venues can be accessed via interior public elevators.
The EMPAC Concert Hall is accessible on three levels. Level 7 leads to the back row of the balcony. Level 6 leads to the back of the Parterre. Level 5 leads to the back row of the orchestra. Please visit the welcome desk for usher assistance.
Please note that the EMPAC concert hall has limited seating that does not require steps to access. These areas are as follows:
Orchestra: Rows O & P, left and right dress circle seating
Parterre: Row L1, left and right dress circle seating
Balcony: Row I2
If you would like to purchase any of these seats, we recommend calling the Albany Symphony Box Office directly so that we can ensure that these seats are available to you.
Restrooms
All-gender and wheelchair-accessible interior restrooms are available on each public-access level.
Wheelchair platforms
EMPAC provides a flat platform in Row O of the Orchestra for patrons who wish to use their wheelchair for the duration of the performance with space for three wheelchairs. The other fixed seats in Row O are categorized as ADA Companion seats and are reserved for those accompanying a patron using a wheelchair.