Bethel Woods Welcomes All

We are committed to providing accessibility for all of our visitors.

Bethel Woods strives to make our exhibits, activities, and events as inclusive and accessible as possible for all our visitors.  We are dedicated to ensuring the full integration of individuals with disabilities who use our facilities.

Please be aware that while we make every effort to accommodate guests with disabilities, some areas are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.


General Accommodations 

Accessible Parking

Free limited handicap parking for guests with mobility impairments with valid disability placard or other authorized identification is available in the drop-off circle adjacent to the Museum, located at 200 Hurd Road. There is free overflow handicap parking for guests with mobility impairments with proper state identification across Hurd Road in Lots C and D. Please note handicap parking spaces are available on a first come, first served basis. On Pavilion concert days, transportation assistance from the Transportation Depot located in Lot D to the Museum and into the concert venue may be available—ask the parking attendant about availability.

Service Animals

Trained service animals are ALWAYS welcome at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. Emotional support animals, comfort animals and therapy dogs are not permitted at Bethel Woods, as per Title III of the ADA. Consistent with ADA guidelines, Bethel Woods defines “service animal” as limited to a dog that is individually trained to work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the individual’s disability. Bethel Woods requires, consistent with ADA, that service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents him or her from using these devices. Individuals who cannot use such devices must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective methods.

Services for the Hearing Impaired

TTY. Patrons with hearing impairments may purchase tickets for Bethel Woods events by calling (800) 943-4327, or use New York Relay by dialing 7-1-1, then (845) 583-2060.

 

Assistive Listening Devices are available for most Pavilion performances at no charge. The device is available by request in advance (recommended) by sending an email to the address below or by contacting a member of the usher staff upon your arrival. Please note that assistive listening devices are available on a first-come, first-served basis. A driver’s license or other valid ID will be required to secure a device. For more information, please call (845) 583-2000 or contact info@bethelwoodscenter.org.

 

Bethel Woods can provide sign language interpretation for guests with hearing disabilities. We ask that requests for this service be made 30 days prior to the event to ensure proper service and scheduling. Please call (845) 583-2000 or email info@bethelwoodscenter.org for more information on events that offer sign language interpretation.

Increased Accessibility & Pedestrian Walkways

There are several paved and crushed gravel walking paths for walking from the Healey Brothers parking lots to the main gate. All walkways in the Handicap Parking Lot and on the grounds of Bethel Woods are paved, smooth brick or hard gravel. Guest Services personnel are positioned along these walkways if you need assistance.

Accessible Transportation Services

With underwriting support from Crystal Run Healthcare, we offer an ADA shuttle service starting 1½ hours prior to show time, which runs from the designated Handicap Transportation Depot tent located adjacent to Healey Brothers parking lot area “D,” to the lower house-right concession plaza near the main Pavilion stage.

 

Note, this is not a general transportation service. In order to adequately provide assistance to our patrons with disabilities, we ask you to be considerate of its intent and purpose when requesting this service.

 

Bethel Woods now offers the use of a wheelchair accessible shuttle, which was designed, built and provided courtesy of Sam’s Towing & Recovery of Liberty, NY.

Temporary Wheelchair Use

If you or someone in your party requires the use of a wheelchair, please notify a staff member. Please note wheelchairs cannot be loaned to guests for the length of their visit. Courtesy wheelchair availability is limited and not guaranteed. The Transportation Depot, with entry points located in Lot D and lower house-right concessions plaza, are equipped with a wheelchair-ready motorize shuttle cart in the event that a guest should require it.

Restrooms

Bethel Woods features specially adapted restroom facilities for guests who use wheelchairs. All concession plaza restrooms are accessible to the disabled.

Medical Aid

Medical aid is available onsite at the Medical Station located in the Festival Plaza concession building near the Great Lawn, across from Bethel Woods Drive. Medical aid can also be obtained from any location by contacting any Bethel Woods employee, including Guest Services, Security or Custodial Staff.

Museum Accessibility

The Main Exhibit

Guests with special needs will find that The Museum is completely accessible. Inside the main exhibit, the films are closed-captioned. Visitors accompanied by a service animal are welcome, and wheelchairs are available upon request at the Welcome Desk. 

Additionally, Sensory-Friendly Museum Days create an inclusive and fun museum experience for guests with autism and other complex developmental disabilities. The museum’s lighting and sound features in our main exhibition are augmented and our trained staff is on-hand to guide visitors through their museum experience. To inquire about scheduling customized sensory-friendly visits between April-December, please contact education@bethelwoodscenter.org.

To help those with a variety of learning abilities and sensory differences, materials can be downloaded in advance from the Bethel Woods website in preparation for these visits.

  • Sensory Map: Helps visitors navigate comfortably by indicating areas of high stimulation - including noisy, dark, crowded, or bright spaces. View the Sensory Map.
  • Social Narrative: Aids in learners adjusting to a potentially new social situation by describing The Museum environment, highlighting important cues, and offering examples of appropriate ways to respond. Download the Social Narrative..
  • On Non-Sensory Days: Copies of the Sensory Map as well as the Social Narrative will be available at the Welcome Desk every day that the Museum is open, in an effort to encourage diverse participation across the spectrum of learners.

Please note that in accordance with COVID-19 regulations, some kiosks and activations have been turned off for guests' safety

Pavilion Concert Accessibility

Accessible Seating

LAWN ADA:

Located on the paved concrete area where the general admission lawn meets the pavilion, between sections 12-18; limited to guests with wheelchair or reduced mobility plus (1) companion only, due to limited space. We cannot offer higher-set blue lawn chairs for rent, as our inventory has been depleted and they are no longer manufactured.

A Season Lawn Pass holder with wheelchair or reduced mobility, plus one (1) companion, is permitted to access the Lawn ADA area without purchasing a Lawn ADA ticket. However, please note: access to this area, including Season Lawn Pass holders, is granted on a first-come, first-served basis, as space is limited.  Seating location is on a general admission basis, there is no reserved seating.

PAVILION SEATING:

At the back of sections 6-11 & 100, there is wheelchair accessible seating, available for people with disabilities plus one companion.

These tickets can be purchased at www.BethelWoodsCenter.org, www.Ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster outlets, or by phone at 1-800-653-8000.

Additional Information

Please call us at (845) 583-2000 or email info@bethelwoodscenter.org if you need more information, or if you have suggestions about access at Bethel Woods.