ADA ACCESS AND ACCOMMODATIONS (subject to updates)
We want to make sure that all music lovers enjoy the Austin City Limits Festival experience!
- Getting There
- Accessible Festival Entrances
- Access Center
- Wristbands and Accessible Viewing Areas
- Patrons with Mobility Limitations
- American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreted Performances
- Special Dietary Needs & Prescription Medicine
- Service Animals
- Family Services
- Have Questions About Our ADA Access & Accommodations?
1. Getting There
Parking
Limited ADA parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis to vehicles displaying a state-issued accessible license plate or placard. The person to whom the placard or plate is issued must be present in the vehicle, as a driver or passenger. As part of gaining access to accessible parking, identifications will be checked to ensure legitimate use of these items. Specific driving directions to this parking area are found below.
Parking & Pickup / Drop-off Driving Directions:
From Southbound Mopac
- Take the “Barton Skyway” exit, turn left at the traffic light at Barton Skyway and go across the bridge. Turn left onto the northbound MoPac service road and get in the right hand lane.
- Continue to the next traffic light. Proceed through the light continuing to head north on the service road until reaching a manned, secured entrance about 1⁄2 mile on the right hand side.
- There will be a police officer or event staff person stationed there checking to ensure vehicles are displaying a state-issued accessible license plate or placard. The person to whom the placard or plate is issued must be present in the vehicle, as a driver or passenger. Be prepared to present identification to ensure legitimate use of a state-issued accessible license plate or placard.
From Northbound Mopac
- Take the “Barton Skyway” exit and proceed to the right hand lane of the northbound MoPac service road.
- Continue to the next traffic light. Proceed through the light continuing to head north on the service road until reaching a manned, secured entrance about 1⁄2 mile on the right hand side.
- There will be a police officer or event staff person stationed there checking to ensure vehicles are displaying a state-issued accessible license plate or placard. The person to whom the placard or plate is issued must be present in the vehicle, as a driver or passenger. Be prepared to present identification to ensure legitimate use of a state-issued accessible license plate or placard.
ADA Pickup & Drop Off
ADA Pickup and Drop Off for accessible patrons is available to vehicles displaying a state-issued accessible license plate or placard. The person to whom the placard or plate is issued must be present in the vehicle, as a driver or passenger. As part of gaining access to accessible drop-off areas, identifications will be checked to ensure legitimate use of these items. Specific driving directions to this drop-off/pickup area are found below.
ACL Shuttles
Take advantage of the Festival Shuttles provided by ACL Fest. Board at Republic Square Park at the corner of 5th & San Antonio streets in downtown Austin and you'll be dropped off outside the Barton Springs West Festival Entrance. When you're finished rocking, hop back on for a return trip to the same spot. Shuttles will run from Republic Square starting at Noon on Friday* and starting at 11AM on Saturday and Sunday of each weekend.
CAP MetroAccess
CapMetro’s MetroAccess also provides and accessible service. For more information on their service click here.
- All vehicles will be screened prior to entering the festival grounds. Please plan accordingly as screening may include magnetometers, pat downs, bag searches and canines. Be advised that both firearm and explosive detection canines will be utilized.
- You will then be directed to the exact location of the Access Parking lot to park your vehicle OR drop-off / pickup an ADA Patron. Parking is very limited, and is on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Once parked OR dropped off, there will be a special golf cart shuttle at a marked pickup spot that will provide a ride down a hill to a specific location closer to the festival entrance. This golf cart shuttle is optional. If you choose to ride it, you must sign a Release of Liability form provided by the shuttle operator. The golf cart shuttle runs in a loop and can provide a ride back to the Access parking lot from a specific location. No extra stops or requests for special pick up or drop-off point are permitted. The shuttle runs from when the festival gates open until 9pm.
- Once inside the main gates, you can visit the Access Center at the Barton Springs entrance for more information.
2. Accessibile Festival Entrances
There are specially designated lanes at the Festival entrances for patrons with disabilities. Look for the accessible signs above the entrance lanes or ask a staff member to direct you to the lanes
3. ADA Accessibility Center (“Access Center”)
The Access Center will be located in between the East and West Entry gates. Look for the Wheelchair Icon signage.
Our Access Center services include, but are not limited to:
- Answers to questions specific to the accessibility program
- Information relevant to our patrons with disabilities
- Requests for accessibility Wristbands
- Power outlets for recharging powered mobility devices
- Programming information in large print and braille for reference
- Assisted Listening Devices (ALDs)
- Chilled medical storage (cooler only)
4. Wristbands and Accessible Viewing Areas
All tickets to the Festival are general admission, purchasing a separate accessible ticket is not necessary.
Upon arrival, please visit the Access Center for information on the accessibility wristband program. Patrons with mobility impairments or Deaf/Hard of Hearing patrons can request an accessibility wristband at the Access Center. This wristband is to show Festival staff that the patron plus one companion is eligible to enter the accessible viewing areas or the Deaf and Hard of Hearing areas. The accessibility wristband is non-transferable.
Note: The wristband does not guarantee a spot in these areas. Please note that both viewing areas have a limited capacity and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. We cannot save or reserve seats or areas on the platform. Once it’s determined that an accessible viewing area is filled to capacity (including adequate aisle space for entering and exiting the area), the area will not be available for additional entry.
Signage will be placed at the Festival identifying all viewing areas for patrons with mobility limitations and patrons who are Deaf / Hard of Hearing. Please visit the Access Center for a map of the festival grounds or the map on the official Festival app to see the designated accessible viewing locations.
Viewing Area Wristband Policies
- ADA wristbands to access ADA seated viewing platforms and ASL viewing areas are good for the whole weekend.
- If your ADA wristband is damaged or removed, it can be replaced at the Access Center.
- Patrons are allowed one companion with them at all times. Companions do not receive a wristband and can be swapped out at any time.
5. Patrons with Mobility Limitations
The Festival is wheelchair accessible but is a large venue with great distances between activities and attractions. It is outdoors and across city streets and pathways. Some travel is over natural terrain and terrain designed for motor vehicles. If it should rain, there could be mud.
The Festival does not provide personal care, golf cart rides, or push service of any kind or wheelchairs for rent or loan. Wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, and three or four-wheeled scooters are allowed only for use by patrons with mobility disabilities. For safety reasons, requests to use other power-driven mobility devices will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Powered wheelchairs may also be charged at the Access Center. Patrons should bring all cords and accessories needed to charge their devices. Chargers must use a 110-volt, 20-amp circuit.
Accessible portable toilets are available at the ends of each bank of portable toilets throughout the Festival venue. As well as at the Accessibility Center located in between the East and West festival entrances.
6. American Sign Language (ASL Interpreted Performances)
The Festival provides many American Sign Language (ASL) interpreted music performances for patrons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Our cut off date for requesting an interpreted performance has now passed.
A schedule of interpreted performances is posted here.
You are still welcome to submit a request to have a specific performance be interpreted. We will make every effort to accommodate, but cannot guarantee, requests not timely submitted. Please email access@aclfestival.com
7. Special Dietary Needs and Prescription Medicine
Outside food and drinks are not allowed inside the Festival, but if a patron has special medical dietary restrictions, items will be allowed. Email access@aclfestival.com for more information.
Patrons are allowed to bring their medically necessary materials and medications into the Festival, provided that all medicine has a prescription label with the patron’s name. Our personnel at the entry gates will verify the contents of any medically necessary materials. Out of concern for the festival staff who handle the trash, please dispose of your medical waste and syringes in the proper disposal, which is located at the medical tent. Please see the official Festival map for the location of the medical tent. Please do not dispose of these items in other trash bins at the Festival.
8. Service Animals
Pets are not allowed within the Festival grounds. However, dogs, which have been trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability, are welcome. If accompanied by a service animal, you will be provided a Patron Notice of Responsibility for a Service Animal or you can request the form in advance from access@aclfestival.com. Please enter through the accessible lane at either entrance.
9. Family Services
Need a place to change a diaper? Or a place to sit and nurse? Please head over to the Access Center. They will direct you to our family services tent located inside Austin Kiddie Limits as well as one next to the Access Center in between the East and West festival entry on the north side of Barton Springs Road.
10. Have Questions About Our ADA Access & Accommodations?
For any questions, please email: access@aclfestival.com