Accessibility
Our festivals are committed to making the events accessible to everyone. The festival is held outdoors. There are sometimes great distances between festival entrances and stages. The festival grounds are a combination of concrete, asphalt and natural terrain. There will be an elevated viewing area at the main stages for those with mobility limitations.
An Access Center with professionally trained staff will be set up next to the info booth at the festival entrance to assist at the event who can answer all questions, provide wristbands for the viewing platform, and additional services listed below.
Accessibility FAQs
What accessibility services does the festival provide?
- Information on access to seated stage viewing platforms
- Wheelchair-accessible restrooms
- Private portable accessible restrooms (others located at all portable restroom areas)
- Private personal hygiene accommodations
- Mobility device charging and storage
- Chilled medication storage (ice chest only)
- General event information (also in Braille and large print as requested)
- American Sign Language interpreters (select sets based on requests)
- A place to sit and relax and escape the elements as needed
How do I gain entry to the accessible viewing area(s)?
When you enter the festival grounds, visit the access center to obtain a wristband allowing access to the dedicated viewing area. All passes to the festival are general admission or VIP, purchasing an accessible ticket is not necessary. The Accessible Viewing Areas are located in GA sections.
The wristband does NOT guarantee a spot in these areas and is to show festival staff that the attendee plus one companion is eligible to enter the accessible viewing areas or the Deaf and Hard of Hearing areas. The accessibility wristband is non-transferrable.
Please note that the viewing areas have a limited capacity and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Chairs will be provided on the accessible viewing platform. 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 fans with mobility limitations and fans who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing. Please visit the Access Center for a map of the festival grounds.
Aftershock is a General Admission event with no assigned seating and does not allow lawn chairs due to capacity restraints. Exceptions can only be made for a medical necessity. Please email [email protected] to make this request.
What services do you provide for deaf/hard of hearing fans?
Fans that are Deaf/Hard of Hearing can request a a Deaf/HoH wristband at the Access Center. This wristband is to show festival staff that the patron plus ONE companion is eligible to enter the ASL viewing areas. The accessibility wristband is non-transferrable.
If you would like to request an ASL Interpreter, please submit a request form HERE. Please make your requests as early as possible, so our ASL Interpreters can best prepare. The ASL Interpreter request form will close one month prior to the festival.
Note: while we will do our best to accommodate all ASL set requests, the earlier the request is made, the easier it will be for us to accommodate. Note, all Interpreter requests will not be guaranteed, and are subject to change.
If I am in wheelchair, can I get around?
The festival is wheelchair-accessible but is a large venue with great distances between activities and experiences. Some travel is over natural terrain and terrain designed for motor vehicles. If it should rain, there could be mud. Please be safe, we will have staff on hand at the Accessibility Center to direct you to the best route to stages, platforms, and activations.
The festival does not provide personal care, golf cart rides, or push services within the festival grounds, and do not have any kind of wheelchairs for rent or loan. Wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, and three or four-wheeled scooters are allowed only for use by fans with mobility disabilities. For safety reasons, please note that guests may not use personal golf carts, all terrain vehicles, two wheeled scooters, or power driven mobility devices that move faster than a walking speed.
Powered wheelchairs may also be charged at the Access Center. Fans 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.
Are service animals allowed?
Aftershock welcomes and supports the rights and attendance of all persons with disabilities that rely on the special skills of a trained service animal.
What we DO NOT support are pets being misrepresented by their owners as service animals. Please leave your pet at home.
SERVICE ANIMAL DEFINITION
A ‘service animal’ is defined as “any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the handler’s disability.”
Emotional support, therapy animals, or comfort animals are not considered service animals under the ADA and therefore are not allowed inside of the venue at our festivals.
SERVICE ANIMAL POLICIES
- Service animals must be accompanied and under the supervision of the handler with the disability at all times.
- Service animals are not permitted to be left unattended under any circumstances.
- Handlers are required to be prepared for, and clean-up after, their animals at all times.
- We reserve the right to remove and/or refuse access to any service animal from the campgrounds or venue if that animal is deemed to be a health or safety threat to festival fans, staff, or other service animals, or in violation of our policies.
Can I bring prescriptions or special dietary foods?
Outside food and drink are not allowed inside the festival, but if you have a special medical dietary restriction, enough food for the one person for the day will be allowed. Fans are allowed to bring their medically necessary materials and medications into the festival, provided that all medicine has a prescription label with the fan’s name. Medicines needing to be inhaled or smoked are prohibited unless in a prescribed inhaler. Please note: Drugs of any kind (including cannabis, cannabis products) are prohibited.
Staff 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 do not dispose of these items in other trash bins at the festival. Please direct any further questions to [email protected].
Is there ADA parking?
Limited parking for patrons with disabilities will be available at the event, for a daily fee (card only). Patrons with proper ADA vehicle credentials will be directed to park in the ADA Lot near the Jibboom Street festival entrance. Please follow the signage and the direction of festival staff and police to access this parking area.
ADA parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. You must have a valid state issued Disabled Person Parking placard, permit or license plate-as well as proof it belongs to you for entry into the ADA Parking Lot. Lots will open at 10am daily.
NOTE: Due to the egress of patrons at the end of the event, vehicles parked in the ADA lot will be held in place until the pedestrian traffic has cleared. This can be as long as 45 minutes after the end of the festival. No exceptions are made to exit so please plan accordingly if you park in the ADA parking lot.
The Park & Ride Shuttle will offer accessible shuttles and are another option for fans with disabilities. Please visit our Getting Here Page for more details. Additional questions about our ADA access & accommodations?
Please email [email protected]
Connect with our community on our Official DWP ADA Facebook Group.