DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ANNOUNCES SETTLEMENT
AGREEMENT WITH THE WASHINGTON OPERA TO PROVIDE
IMPROVED WHEELCHAIR-ACCESSIBLE SEATING

WASHINGTON, D.C.- The Department of Justice today announced a settlement agreement with The Washington Opera to increase the number and locations of wheelchair-accessible seating at performances held at both DAR Constitution Hall in 2003 and the soon to be remodeled Opera House at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

The increased accessible seating for opera performances will become available immediately for performances during 2003 in DAR Constitution Hall. Also, previously planned structural improvements are being made to the Kennedy Center Opera House that will include increased accessible seating dispersed throughout the auditorium. Prior to this agreement, the only wheelchair-accessible seats in the Kennedy Center Opera House were the most expensive seats, and the only accessible seats in the DAR Constitution Hall were in the orchestra section.

For performances held at the Kennedy Center during the remainder of 2002, the Opera has agreed to designate and reserve wheelchair-accessible box seats at the Opera House exclusively for purchase by persons who use wheelchairs. For the first time ever, these accessible seats will be available at similar price ranges offered to the general public and not solely as the top prices in the auditorium.

After the Kennedy Center's renovation, the Opera will return to the Kennedy Center Opera House in January 2004 and will offer wheelchair-accessible seating dispersed throughout the auditorium in various ticket price categories. These seats will ensure that opera fans who use wheelchairs will have an equal opportunity to enjoy performances by providing a choice of admission prices and lines of sight comparable to that of the general public, as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards for accessibility.

During 2003 at DAR Constitution Hall, the Opera has agreed to install 30 wheelchair accessible seats and to designate 30 seats next to the wheelchair accessible seats as companion seats. These accessible seats will be dispersed throughout the orchestra section and sold at all price categories offered to the general public. In addition, the Opera has agreed to designate an ADA Coordinator, create an ADA Advisory Committee, and conduct extensive advertising about the availability, pricing and locations of wheelchair-accessible seats.

"The Washington Opera is to be commended for making these performance venues accessible to everyone," said Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Ralph F. Boyd, Jr. "This settlement agreement will ensure that people who use wheelchairs will have an equal opportunity to enjoy performances at a range of admission prices and seating locations."

People interested in finding out more about the ADA or the agreement can call the Justice Department's toll-free ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0383 (TDD), or access its ADA website at: http://www.ada.gov. The agreement is available at the ADA home website.

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