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Assistive listening devices (ALDs) amplify and clarify sound by cutting down or eliminating ambient noise. Infrared assistive listening systems are installed in all theaters and headsets may be used at any seat. Headsets with induction neckloops are available for patrons who use hearing aids and cochlear implants with a "T" switch. Ask your audiologist whether your hearing aid or cochlear implant has a "T" switch (telecoil) and how to use it with an assistive listening headset.

Devices are distributed free-of-charge on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests attending events in the Opera House or Eisenhower Theater may pick up a device from the Assistive Listening Devices (ALD) Desk in the Hall of States starting one hour prior to performances. Guests attending events in the Concert Hall may pick up devices from the Coatroom in the Hall of Nations. Devices for all other theaters and events spaces are available from the theater lobbies and event space entrances. Please request a device from staff as you arrive.

Sign language interpretation is scheduled for select Kennedy Center events throughout the year. Search our calendar for a complete list of sign-interpreted performances.  Designated sign interpreted events are also marked with the sign-interpretation symbol on our performance calendar.

Tickets in the sign-interpreted section can be purchased online or by contacting InstantCharge at (202) 467-4600 Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

To receive free monthly notices about upcoming sign-interpreted events, please log in to your Kennedy Center account and update your contact preferences or send your name and e-mail address to [email protected] with "Subscribe Interpreted Alerts" in the subject line.

èßäAValso offers sign language interpretation upon request. Requests for sign language interpreters, cued speech transliterators, or oral interpreters for non-designated events must be received at least two weeks prior to the event by the Accessibility Office at or [email protected]. These requests are subject to the availability of an interpreter and are provided at the discretion of the management.

Open-captioning is scheduled for select Kennedy Center events throughout the year. At captioned performances, an experienced captioner scrolls the text onto a display in sync with the performance.

How do I know if a performance is scheduled to be captioned?

Search our calendar for a complete list of upcoming captioned events. Designated captioned events are also marked with the “OC” symbol on our performance calendar.

How is the captioning displayed at scheduled performances?

During scheduled events, an experienced captioner scrolls up to three lines of text onto a four-foot-long LED sign in sync with the performance. The sign is placed on or near the front of the stage and a section of seats in the front orchestra is made available to patrons who require the service and their guests.

How do I buy tickets for captioned performances?

Tickets in the captioned section are available in person, by phone at 202-467-4600 or online at www.kennedy-center.org. When purchasing in person or by phone, please notify staff that you need to sit in the captioned section. When purchasing online, click the Tickets button for the scheduled captioned performance, attest to your need for accessible seating by clicking the button with the open captioned symbol, and select the orchestra section. Available seats in the captioned section will be designated with an “OC” on the seating map.

Can I see the captioning from any seat in the house if I buy a ticket to a captioned performance?

No, there is a captioned seating section for scheduled captioned performances where patrons can best see the captions. See above for details on how to purchase in this section.

Can I request captions for a performance that is not scheduled?

Patrons are welcome to request* captioning for a performance or event at the Center. Please contact the Accessibility Office at 202-416-8727 or [email protected] at least 2 weeks in advance of the performance you want to attend.

What if I want to request captioning and it is less than 2 weeks until my performance?

Our team will make every effort to accommodate your request*. Please contact us at 202-416-8727 or [email protected] to make your request.

Are the captions at the Kennedy Center automated?

No, the captions are scrolled live during the performance by a qualified captioner.

Can I subscribe to a captioned series?

Yes! Please contact our Subscriptions team at [email protected] or 202-416-8585 for more information.

I have seen some patrons using iPads for captioning. Are the iPads available at every performance?

No, the iPads are only available if requested* in advance. Please contact the Accessibility Office at 202-416-8727 or[email protected] at least 2 weeks in advance of the performance you want to attend.

I’m only interested in captioning on an iPad. How do I know when the iPads are available?

Please contact the Accessibility Office at 202-416-8727 or [email protected] for a list of when iPads will be available.

How can I receive notices about upcoming captioned events?

To receive free monthly notices about upcoming captioned events, please log in to your Kennedy Center account and update your contact preferences or send your name and e-mail address to [email protected] with "Subscribe Caption Alerts" in the subject line.

Questions?

Please contact us at 202-416-8727 or [email protected]. The Accessibility Office is open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 5 pm.

*These requests are subject to the availability of a captioner and are provided at the discretion of the management.