Accessibility
University Concert Hall endeavours to provide an inclusive and accessible environment for all. Our facilities include:
- A wheelchair accessible lift
- Hearing loop headsets
- Occasional Sensory Friendly performances
- Personal Assistant Tickets.
Our staff are on hand at all times so please do not hesitate to ask for assistance at the time of booking or when attending a show.
There are two elevators connecting the main lower ground floor entrance to the ground floor atrium area, which contains the Box Office, Bar, Allegro café/restaurant, and the entry doors to the auditorium.
The atrium and hospitality areas are spacious, and walking aids, frames and rollators can be used throughout.
Please be aware that, due to the layout of the auditorium, your walking aid cannot be brought to your seat. You can bring it right up to the auditorium door, at which point a staff member will assist with taking it from you and storing it in a suitable nearby location during the performance.
We will be very happy to bring it back to the door to meet you at any point you wish to leave the auditorium.
Wheelchair Users / Impaired Mobility
University Concert Hall is accessible for wheelchair users and those with impaired mobility.
Wheelchair spaces can only be booked by calling the box office, they cannot be booked online. We strongly advise that should you require a wheelchair space; you should book as early as possible. Please contact our Box Office staff at 061 331 549
There are 4 designated wheelchair-accessible and companion spaces in UCH, 3 of which are located in Row O, with 1 in Row Z.
Those in Row O are accessed via Door 4 and by wheelchair lift. The space in Row Z is accessed via Door 3 and is located just inside the auditorium door.
A Front of House Usher will always be assigned to Door 4 and will be available to offer assistance and operate the lift before, during, and after the performance as required.
The overall weight allowance for the wheelchair lift is 300kg. The wheelchair lift platform dimensions are 104cm/50 long and 76cm/30in wide.
If you are concerned that your wheelchair may exceed the maximum allowance, please contact the box office in advance.
Access & Parking
There are 6 designated parking spaces located in the Main UCH/Foundation Building car park and a further 2 in the nearest overflow car park (No. 4 – to the rear of UCH) which leads to the Plaza entrance on the ground floor.
University Concert Hall is accessible for wheelchair users and those with impaired mobility from both entrances (Foundation Car Park entrance & UL Plaza entrance).
From the Foundation Car Park entrance there is a lift – located through the glass doors at the end of the atrium and to the left – which will bring you to G level where the box office, auditorium, toilets, bar and café are located.
From the UL Plaza entrance, you will come in on G level.
In 2018, as part of an extensive upgrade plan, improved accessibility was seen as vital and as such new push button entrance doors, a wheelchair accessible box office and retail counter, and improved bathroom facilities were installed front of house. Backstage upgrades included the creation of a fully accessible dressing room and bathroom, making the venue far more comfortable for visiting artists.
Personal Assistant Tickets
In an effort to remove as many barriers as possible for audiences who may require assistance attending events at UCH, Personal Assistant tickets were made available in 2018. Under this policy, anyone purchasing a wheelchair accessible space is entitled to avail of an additional, complimentary ticket for their accompanying guest or assistant.
There are also a further 2 Personal Assistant tickets available to patrons who may not require a wheelchair accessible space, but who many not be able to attend without assistance e.g. due to other mobility issues, impaired sight or other different needs.
Please note that wheelchair accessible and personal assistant tickets can only be booked via the Box Office and are not available for sale online.
Hard of Hearing
A Sennheiser induction loop system is in operation throughout the auditorium for patrons with hearing difficulties. People with hearing aids should set them to ‘Infra-Red Mode’.
Headsets are available from the Box Office on request.
Assistance Dogs
University Concert Hall welcomes assistance dogs. If you have an assistance dog, please advise the Box Office at the time of booking and they can then allocate the most appropriate seating for you.
Sensory Friendly Performances
On occasion we are in a position to run sensory friendly performances for people with special needs e.g. during the run of Panto.
These performances will typically feature lower music, brighter lights, an absence of sudden noise and other subtle changes that will make the performance more accessible.
Our Sensory Relaxed Panto Show offerS
- Sign Language Interpreter
- Surtitles
- Softer lighting
- Less sudden noises
- Smaller capacity
- Sensory room
Please check out our social story – READ HERE
For information contact our box office at 061 331 549
More helpful resources
