Accessibility
The National Fried Chicken Festival, Presented by Raising Cane’s, is an accessible event, and we are dedicated to continually improving our efforts to ensure all guests have access to all the event amenities. The following explains the services provided this year. Please read this informational guide thoroughly before sending an inquiry email.
For any accessibility-related questions not answered in the guide, please contact us at this link. We welcome and encourage all feedback and suggestions from our patrons with disabilities. We will do our best to assist you and address your accessibility needs.
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY
The Venue is navigable for people with mobility disabilities. Please be advised that the venue’s terrain is a combination of concrete sidewalks and grass in direct sunlight. The parking lot’s terrain is asphalt.
The National Fried Chicken Festival does not provide personal care, golf cart rides, or wheelchair push service. Please bring an attendant if needed. Please come prepared, as we are unfortunately unable to assist with repair or charging of mobility devices.
ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES HUB AND ADA WRISTBAND
Attendees wishing to utilize some of the accessibility services at The National Fried Chicken Festival will be required to wear a Wristband. These wristbands will be available from an accessibility team member at the Accessibility Hub and Accessible Viewing Platforms, . Alternatively, you can notify the front entrance staff upon arrival, and an Accessibility Team member will meet you at either of the front entrances. This wristband is free of charge and will grant you access to the accessibility services required on account of a disability or injury. A wristband is not needed for Accessible parking and entry lanes.
The Accessibility Services Hub will be conveniently located inside the festival.
At this location, you can:
- Request accommodations and services you require.
- Get your ADA questions answered.
- Get your ADA Wristband.
Wristband Policies
- ADA Wristbands are valid for the entire duration of the event.
- DO NOT remove your wristband at any point during the event.
- Each ADA guest has the option to bring one companion with them into any ADA area throughout the festival.
ACCESSIBLE PARKING
There will be a limited number of Accessible parking spots for patrons with disabilities onsite, and are available on a first come, first served basis at the East, North and South Parking lots. You do not need to purchase a parking pass to use this lot. You are required to bring a valid, state-issued handicap placard, permit, or license plate to enter this parking lot. The person to whom the handicap credential is issued must be present in the vehicle, as a driver or passenger. Patrons with disabilities can also be dropped off by friends and family at the Accessible Rideshare and Drop-Off Area, on Lakeshore Drive. The accessible entrance is located at the East Entrance on Lakeshore Dr.
There will also be an Accessible entry lane, located at each entrance into the festival. We recommend the east entrance on Lakeshore Drive. Patrons with disabilities and up to one companion may use this lane to safely enter the venue. Please visit the Accessibility Services Hub immediately after entering the event to request the ADA accommodations and services you need.
ACCESSIBLE VIEWING AREAS
There will be two accessible viewing areas made available to patrons with disabilities. For more information on how to gain access to these areas, please visit us at the Accessibility Services Hub.
Accessible Viewing Area Policies:
- Patrons with disabilities must have a wristband to access the Viewing Area.
- Each patron with a disability can bring one companion into the accessible viewing area with them while viewing a performance. If an accessible viewing area reaches capacity, companions will be asked to stand in the back or just outside the divider to ensure guests with disabilities have priority access. Companions are not allowed within the Accessible viewing area if they are not with their disabled counterpart.
- Seating is available on a first come, first served basis.
- Guests may not save spots.
- Blocking the view of the guests sitting behind you is not permitted.
- Standing is permitted only in the very back row.
- Patrons and companions may not smoke in these areas.
SERVICE ANIMALS
Service animals that have been trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability are welcome. However, emotional support animals, therapy animals, companion animals, and pets are not permitted into the event. Any animal whose task is to provide protection, emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship is not considered a service animal and will not be allowed into the venue. Only service animals that have been individually trained and are under the proper care of their owners will be allowed within the premises.
The following guidelines must be followed:
- All service animals must be verified by the Accessibility Coordinator or Manager before entering the event venue.
- Once verified, service animal handlers are required to fill out a Service Animal Agreement before proceeding into the event grounds. Once signed, service animals will receive a service animal wristband or tag to indicate verification.
- Service animals must remain by the handler’s side at all times and must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered. If these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or if the handler’s disability prevents the use of these devices, the handler must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls.
- Service animals must be housebroken and should use the service animal relief area.
- Anyone bringing an animal will be responsible for and liable for any damage or injury caused by the animal.
- All service animals should have legally required vaccinations. The Accessibility Coordinator or Manager may ask for proof of vaccination during the verification process.
We ask that you do not leave your animal in your car while you’re attending the event, as vehicles without active air conditioning may become too hot and unsafe for any animal.
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION REQUESTS
We accept requests for any of the following services:
- ASL Interpretation
- Other forms of Effective Communication
Requests for these services must be submitted to us at least 30 days prior to the event to allow for sufficient preparation. The deadline for this event is September 15, 2024.
To submit a request, please reach out our contact form.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
- First Aid: We have several First Aid locations throughout the venue. Professional medical staff can provide assistance to your medical needs at these locations. Please check back here for an updated map.
- Special Dietary Needs: There will be a variety of food options available at the food and beverage areas, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. For those with special dietary needs beyond what will be offered at the event, please contact us at this link for further assistance.
- Prescription Medications: All prescription medications must be in the original manufacturer container with your name on it, which matches your government-issued photo ID. Please only bring a sufficient amount of medication for the duration of the event. Your medications must be cleared by the Accessibility Team at the event entrance.
- Other Services: If you require assistance on account of pregnancy, nursing, or breast milk pumping, please reach out at this link.
COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & SUGGESTIONS
The National Fried Chicken Festival will consider requests by patrons with disabilities for reasonable modification of event policies, practices or procedures, or for auxiliary aids and services that will permit the patron equal enjoyment of the goods and services offered at the event. We encourage you to make any such request as far in advance as possible to enhance our ability to evaluate and fulfill the request.
In continually trying to make our event more accessible, we encourage you to contact us at this link for any of your accessibility-related needs. Additionally, if you have any questions about our ADA policies or services, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
We hope you find this guide informative, we look forward to seeing you at The National Fried Chicken Festival 2024!