Accessibility & Guest Services

• Trained service animals are welcome to support patrons with disabilities. If the service animal does not fit under one’s seat, accessible seating is available to purchase. Please contact the Box Office with any questions.

• Emotional support, companion, and comfort animals are not permitted entry.

• We often receive visits from Leader Dogs for the Blind pups in training! The Max is a great place for pups on the job to learn patience and how to focus, and dogs love classical music!

• Braille program*

• Curb-to-seat service*

• Instrument exploration touch tour*
     -Explore various musical instruments by touch and sound before you hear them being played onstage.

• Orchestra Hall stage touch tour*
     -Explore a 3D model of Orchestra Hall stage. Familiarize yourself with the layout of the orchestra and how many musicians are in each section.

• Assistive listening system
     -Orchestra Hall and The Cube are equipped with an Infrared Assistive Listening System.  
     -See an Usher to borrow a receiver and headphones.
     -Please note that borrowing items requires a valid ID or credit card to be left as collateral until the borrowed item is returned. 

• Sign language interpretation*

• Captioning*
     -All films with live orchestra have open captioning.

• Accessible seating in Orchestra Hall
     -Accessible seating is available at the front and rear of the Main Floor, the Box Level, and Mid-Balcony.
     -Transfer seats are located on the Main Floor (see righthand image).

• Companion seating
     -Companions without tickets will be allowed entry to assist a patron to and from their seat and may wait outside the hall during the performance. If a companion elects to attend the performance, ticketed companion seating is also an option.

• Accessible entrances
     -All building entrances are accessible.
     -The accessible entrance to the Main Floor of Orchestra Hall is through the Oval Lobby. When entering the Main Floor from Atrium level 1, there are 3 steps up.
     -The Box Level can be accessed from the lefthand Atrium elevator (select button “2R”). When entering the Box Level from Atrium level 2, there are 10 steps down.
     -Mid-Balcony accessible seating can be accessed from Atrium level 3.

• Accessible restrooms
     -Atrium Levels 1-4
          • Single-occupancy, unisex, wheelchair-accessible restroom
          • Step-free Men's & Women’s restrooms with ADA-compliant stall
     -Please note that the restrooms located on the Box Level have a step and are not wheelchair accessible. Patrons sitting in a Box may take the elevator to Atrium Level 2 for an accessible restroom.

• Courtesy wheelchairs
     -A limited number of courtesy wheelchairs are available for transport between building entrances and seating in the hall. These are available on a first-come, first-served basis. See an usher to borrow a wheelchair. Patrons must either transport themselves or bring a companion for any hands-on assistance.

• Accessible parking
     -The DSO parking deck is located at 81 Parsons Street. Self-parking in the garage costs $15 for most concerts (credit card payment only; price may increase for special events). Accessible parking is available on the first and second floors of the garage. Note that accessible parking spaces go quickly, so we recommend arriving early!
     -Valet parking is available for all concerts except Friday morning Coffee Concerts. Please enter Parsons Street from Cass Avenue; the drop-off point is located near Sosnick Courtyard. Pricing is $25 per vehicle (payable by credit card only). Valet parking services can be added for $20 during checkout when purchasing tickets.
     -Because the QLine tracks occupy the traffic lane closest to the sidewalk in front of The Max, drop-off and pick-up is not permitted on Woodward Avenue. Please use the designated drop-off point on Selden Street between Woodward and Cass; the best address to search for the drop-off point is 20 Selden Street. This is also the preferred address to use for rideshare arrivals and departures.

• Shuttle service
     -Graciously donated by Lee and Floy Barthel, the DSO offers a golf cart-style courtesy shuttle for patrons who would like extra assistance entering The Max. The shuttle pick-up point is located on Parsons Street, near Sosnick Courtyard.
     -To safely clear the main seating area, there is a 12-inch step. To safely clear the rear auxiliary seat, there is a 17-inch step.

• Mobility-assistive devices
     -Ushers are available to assist patrons who use mobility assistive devices like walkers and canes by storing devices at the back of the hall during the performance and returning them to patrons at intermission and at the end of the performance. 

• Quiet Room
     -A Quiet Room is available on the third level of the Atrium for anyone who may need to take a break, including people with anxiety, PTSD, sensory sensitivities, autism, epilepsy, ADHD, and dementia.

Learn More About Our Quiet Room

• Sensory-Friendly and Relaxed events
     -These events welcome individuals with neurodiversity and/or intellectual or developmental disabilities and their families and/or caregiver(s). They are designed to remove barriers, allowing everyone to be themselves and enjoy a musical experience in a safe and judgement-free environment.
     -Visit dso.org/sensory-friendly to view upcoming events.

• Sensory Toolkits
     -Available to borrow during any event at The Max, the DSO offers Sensory Toolkits free of charge, courtesy of the Mid-Michigan Autism Association. The kits contain items that can help calm or stimulate a person with a sensory processing difference, including noise-reducing headphones and a fidget toy.
     -Please see an usher to borrow a kit (requires a valid ID or credit card to be provided as collateral until the borrowed item is returned).

Learn More About Sensory Toolkits 

• Quiet Room
     -A Quiet Room is available on the third level of the Atrium for anyone who may need to take a break, including people with sensory sensitivities, autism, epilepsy, ADHD, anxiety, PTSD, and dementia.
     -The Quiet Room is equipped with soft/warm lighting, motor stimulation tools (e.g., exercise ball to sit/bounce on), and pressure/tactile tools (e.g., weighted lap pad).

Learn More About Our Quiet Room

• Legato Memory Café
     -Legato Memory Café welcomes people experiencing dementia or other cognitive changes and their care partners/loved ones. This monthly gathering fosters connection and support through social engagement while enjoying light refreshments and an activity/craft.
     -Visit dso.org/memory-cafe for more information and upcoming dates.

• Open rehearsals & chamber music performances
     -The DSO partners with the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Michigan Chapter to provide free social and cultural opportunities through the Bruce H. and Rosalie N. Rosen Community Connect Program, including chamber music performances at the Alzheimer’s Association Southfield office, exclusive open rehearsals at Orchestra Hall, and an annual event at The Henry Ford Museum featuring a lecture by a museum curator, performance by DSO musicians, and a walk-through of a special exhibit.
     -Visit dso.org/community-connect for more information and upcoming dates.  

• Quiet Room
     -A Quiet Room is available on the third level of the Atrium for anyone who may need to take a break, including people with dementia, sensory sensitivities, autism, epilepsy, ADHD, anxiety, and PTSD.
     -The Quiet Room is equipped with soft/warm lighting, motor stimulation tools (e.g., exercise ball to sit/bounce on), and pressure/tactile tools (e.g., weighted lap pad). 

Learn More About Our Quiet Room

• Lactation room
     -A private room with comfortable seating, a refrigerator, and a restroom is available for nursing and pumping.
     -The room is located off of the Oval Lobby on the main floor. Please see an usher for assistance. 

All bodies are welcome at The Max. If you have questions about seating or need assistance, contact Kiersten Alcorn, Manager of Engagement & Accessibility, at 313.576.5122 or accessibility@dso.org.

Seats in Orchestra Hall vary in size. The width and pitch measurements for seats in Orchestra Hall are available when selecting seats for your tickets. Click on the seat and view measurements in the pop-up box.

About width and pitch measurements:
• Width: the distance between armrests
• Pitch: the distance between a seat and the seat directly in front of it (a standard indicator of legroom)

Transfer seats are located on the Main Floor (see image to right). 

Companion Seating
Companions without tickets will be allowed entry to assist a patron to and from their seat and may wait outside the hall during the performance. If a companion elects to attend the performance, ticketed companion seating is also an option.

Seating Options

For patrons who want more leg room, recommended seats include:
• Main Floor
     -Row A, Seats 17-28 (35.5-40”)
• Dress Circle
     -Row A (30-31")
• Balcony
     -Row HH, Seat 10 (32”)
     -Row HH, Seat 36 (32”) 

For patrons who want a wider seat, recommended seats include:
• Main Floor – seats tend to be wider than other levels
     -Row H, Seat 19 (21.75”)
     -Row C, Seat 21 (21”)
     -Row J, Seat 2 (20.75”)
     -Row O, Seat 1 (20.75”)
     -Row D, Seat 21 (20.5”)
     -Row D, Seat 22 (20.5”)
     -Row D, Seat 31 (20.5”)
• Dress Circle
     -Row C, Seat 33 (18.5”)
     -Row G, Seat 17 (18.5”)
     -Row F, Seat 7 (18.5”)
• Balcony
     -Row K, Seat 13 (19.75”)
     -Row CC, Seat 36 (19.5”)
     -Row K, Seat 24 (19.5”)
     -Row BB, Seat 36 (19.5”)
• Box Level
     -Armless chair
• Accessible seating on Main Floor (front and rear), Box Level, and Mid-Balcony
     -Armless chair

For patrons who want a step-free seat, recommended seating areas include:
• Accessible seating on Main Floor (front and rear), Box Level, and Mid-Balcony
• Main Floor

There are several free-standing chair options for patrons who select seats in the Box Level or Accessible Seating.
• If you would like a different type of chair, please see an usher for assistance. We cannot guarantee your preferred chair type will be available, but our ushers will make their best efforts to assist.
• To request a specific chair type in advance, please submit the accommodation request form at least two weeks in advance. We will make our best efforts to have your preferred chair in place when you attend the concert.

Tall Red Chair With Arms
Width between arms: 15-18.5”
Seat width: 17.5”
Seat height: 22.5”
Seat depth: 18”

Tall Brown Chair With Arms
Width between arms: 15-19”
Seat width: 18”
Seat height: 22.25”
Seat depth: 18.5” 

Red Chair With Arms
Width between arms: 15-19.25”
Seat width: 18”
Seat height: 18”
Seat depth: 17.5”

Brown Armless Chair
Seat width: 18”
Seat height: 16.5”
Seat depth: 17.5”

Red Armless Chair
Seat width: 18”
Seat height: 16.5”
Seat depth: 17.5”

Tall Armless Chair
Seat width: 16”
Seat height: 30”
Seat depth: 16.5”