Accessibility
WHAT ACCOMODATIONS are there for PEOPLE with DISABILITIES?
The Guest Services department at the Jerome Schottenstein Center strives to provide excellent service to all our guests, including those with disabilities or special needs. The Schottenstein Center recognizes the needs of persons with disabilities and has met or exceeded the requirements of compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and Ohio accessibility mandates. We provide a full range of accommodations to ensure every guest’s safety, comfort and enjoyment of events and facilities. The following highlights our services:
ACCESS to TICKETS
Accessible/disabled seating is available on all levels of the arena and at all price levels. They can be purchased through the Ticket Office in person, by calling 614-292-2624, through the nearest Ticketmaster outlet including area Kroger stores, by calling 1-800-745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. When ordering accessible tickets, it is important to indicate that you require accessible seating so we can properly seat you.
WHEELCHAIR COMPANION SEATING
Companion seats are reserved for the companions of guests in wheelchairs. The general policy for Entertainment Events is that each guest in a wheelchair may purchase one companion seats in the accessible area. For OSU Athletic Events, each guest in a wheelchair may purchase one (1) companion seat. Additional companion seats may be purchased in the nearest available seating section based on availability. This policy may be adjusted when there is high demand. Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis and there is no guarantee that companion tickets will be available.
WHEELCHAIR ESCORTS
Complimentary wheelchair escorts are available at any entry point or guests may make advance escort arrangements by contacting Guest Services. They will escort you as close as possible to your seat and will make arrangements to pick you up after the event. Please be aware that our escort staff will not remain with you during the event, nor will they allow you to remain in our wheelchair for the duration of the event. For guests who wish to transfer to a seat from their personal wheelchair, we will store your wheelchair at our Guest Services.
TICKETS FOR GUESTS WITH VISUAL OR HEARING IMPAIRMENTS
are available for purchase (unless not permitted by the tour) through the Center Ticket Office, TDD 614-292-6374 or Ticketmaster. Please indicate the need for visually-impaired or hearing-impaired seating to the ticket seller.
ASSISTED LISTENING DEVICES
Headsets and receivers for our multi-channel LPB Radio-Aide are available for most events free of charge at Guest Services located at Section 122 on the entry level. Guests will be required to leave valid identification such as a driver's license as collateral.
INTERPRETERS
Interpreting and captioning services are provided free of charge. To confirm availability or request services call the Schottenstein Center's Guest Services Department at 614-688-3939, please contact us at least three weeks prior to the event.
TICKET EXCHANGES
Exchanges can be made to accommodate guests with disabilities. If a guest in a wheelchair exchanges a conventional seat ticket for a ticket in an accessible area, the Schottenstein Center will make every effort to provide new tickets in the closest comparable accessible seating location. We encourage guests needing to make an exchange do so prior to the event during ticket office hours (8a-5p) in person at the Schottenstein Center. If you are unable to make the exchange in person, please contact Guest Services prior to the event to make arrangements or during the event at the Main Guest Services desk at Section 122/123. Event day ADA ticket exchanges are based on ADA seat availability on a "first-come, first-served" basis.
ANIMAL POLICY
Service animals are welcome in the Schottenstein Center and will rest in the seating area of the individual with a disability, rather than in the aisle. We suggest that the individual have proof of certification or a license for the service animal. Please contact JSC Guest Services at 614-688-3939 to set up accommodations.
PARKING
Value City Arena exceeds ADA standards in terms of the number of accessible parking spaces provided. However, for some heavily attended events like Men's Basketball and the OHSAA State Championships, the demand for accessible parking (you must have a state issued disability-parking hangtag) can exceed the supply of available on-site spaces. For these events, guests with disabilities are encouraged to park in the Buckeye Lots off Ackerman Road and utilize the complimentary accessible shuttle buses or para-transit vans that are available. These shuttles offer the closest possible drop-off/ pick-up area to the building. (LINK to MAP)
RESTROOMS
All restrooms facilities at the Schottenstein Center are accessible. In addition, we have an available family/unisex restroom on the entry level in the First Aid Room at Section 118, convenient for disabled guests with opposite gender aides/companions.
ELEVATORS/ ESCALATORS
The Schottenstein Center is equipped with elevators that access all public areas of the arena.
If you require special assistance in reaching your seat, contact Guest Services at osuarena@osu.edu, call 614-688-3939 or ask any Guest attendant during the event.
TELEPHONES
Accessible telephones are located on various levels of The Jerome Schottenstein Center. Public pay phones are located on the Entry level outside section 131 and inside the Northwest Rotunda and on the Huntington level at section 217. A public TDD is located on the Entry Level in the JSC Administration Office.
TTY/ TDD Service
All guests, including those with disabilities, are welcome and encouraged to contact Guest Services at osuarena@osu.edu OR call 614-688-3939. Guests may also call Relay Ohio at 711 or their local TTY Relay Center. The Ohio or local Relay Center will then place the call to us and we will be happy to communicate through the relay service.
Access for our guests with disabilities at The Jerome Schottenstein Center, is an ongoing commitment. Please contact us with comments, questions or suggestions at:
Schottenstein Center
Scott Dickson, Director of Event Services and Security
Carolyn Speicher, Guest Services Manager
555 Borror Drive, Columbus, OH 43210
Voice: (614) 688-3939/ TDD: (614) 688-8400/ Fax: (614) 292-5067
Email: osuarena@osu.edu
The Ohio State University
Scott Lissner, ADA Coordinator
2094 Drake Union- 1849 Cannon Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43210
Voice/TDD: (614) 292-6207/ Fax: (614) 688-3665
Email: lissner.2@osu.edu