The Americans with Disabilities Act has had a profound effect on public architecture and design since its passage. It has also required some retrofitting and remodeling of older structures when possible. The Clarence Brown Theatre was designed before the time when the needs of handicapped persons were fully understood or appreciated and therefore presents some challenges in making it more accessible to those with various physical handicaps.

A number of years ago, changes were made in the seating area to permit persons in wheelchairs to enter the theatre lobby from the outside and travel directly into an accessible seating area without encountering any steps at all. A number of seats were removed and a platform build up to permit maneuvering into position. We have known this area as "OR9", our current accessible seating area along rows K and L in House Left.

The perceptive among us may have noticed that the theatre seats on the corresponding rows on the House Right area of the theatre were fastened to the floor in a different manner than other seats -- indeed, they were done this way with the possibility in mind that additional accessible seating might be required at some time in the future, so these seats were installed to allow more easy removal. For many years, the current accessible seating area has met the needs of the physically handicapped -- we haven't required more space. In fact, we rarely had more than two or three people in wheelchairs or there companions in straight chairs sitting there.

However, the University of Tennessee was recently audited by ADA officials and they have mandated many changes for the institution to be in compliance with the Act. One of those was accessible seating in the CBT -- apparently, there is a formula for such things and we're required to provide space for five people in wheelchairs plus five companions. They also don't want all such accessible seating to be in one place. We don't meet those guidelines, so in order to come into compliance, we are going to remove seats 1-6 on row K and seats 1-6 on row L and construct an accessible seating area on House Right similar to that on House Left.

This modification to our space will cause a few problems -- first of all, we're simply losing some seating inventory, so our revenue potential is smaller. Secondly, as this change came to light long after the Season Ticket Renewal Campaign began, we must have discussions with some patrons who have already purchased their favorite seats which may no longer be available. There may be some instances in which patrons may still be able to sit in the Row K seats with portable seating, but it will be different from standard theatre seats, so some negotiations or accommodations will have to be made.

There is some good news -- as these changes are being mandated to us due to ADA requirements, the University is providing us new portable chairs similar in style, color, padding, and arm rests to the regular theatre chairs. We may use these in both accessible areas when empty space is not needed for wheelchairs.

We're hoping to have these new chairs in by Preview of Born Yesterday; if they haven't arrived, we may have to borrow them from another place on campus that uses similar chairs.  Do you prefer Power T, or the Lady Vol with baby-blue accent?