Accessibility

The National Arts Centre is located at 1 Elgin Street. The building is near the National War Memorial, Confederation Park, and Rideau Centre.

• Driving directions

There are two main entrances to the NAC and both are accessible.

The first entrance is on Elgin Street, located at the corner of Queen and Elgin facing the National War Memorial.

The second entrance is facing the Rideau Canal. It is accessed from Lawrence Freiman Lane that starts at the corner of Queen and Elgin.

• Google maps
• Interior map

Accessible parking in the NAC parking garage is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

These parking spaces are located near the elevators on Level P2 (blue signage) and Level P3 (red signage).

Additional parking spots are allocated for accessible parking after 6:30 pm.

• Parking garage map

Visitors can use either the Elgin Street or Lawrence Freiman Lane entrance for pick-up and drop-off.

Visitors being dropped off or using taxis, Para Transpo, or other driving services can use the lay-by on Elgin Street or drop visitors off at the Canal Street entrance.

The NAC is located 650 meters from the Parliament Line 1 station, 550 meters from the Rideau Line 1 station, and steps away from multiple bus interchanges on Elgin and Queen Street.

The following OC Transpo and O-Train routes pass near the NAC:

OC Transpo bus routes: 14, 15, 16, 5, 6
O-Train: Line 1

• OC Transpo
• STO
• Directions

Para Transpo is a shared-ride, book-in-advance, public transit service. The service is open to eligible customers who are unable to take conventional transit (buses and O-Train) some or all of the time due to a disability. It is funded by the City of Ottawa and administered by OC Transpo.

Para Transpo provides minibus and contracted taxi services in Ottawa’s urban communities. They also provide service between urban and rural areas and to Hull (in Gatineau).

• Para Transpo

The National Arts Centre has accessible seating locations, with seating available for patrons using mobility assistive devices (for example, wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, or canes) and accompanied by support persons. Accessible seating is also available for patrons with visual impairments.

If you anticipate a need for support from an usher or on-site NAC staff during a performance or event, contact House Management to make arrangements prior to your event, at 613-947-7000, extension 222.

Ordering tickets

To buy tickets with seating that best suits your accessibility requirements, contact the Box Office at 1-844-985-2787 or email tickets-billets@nac-cna.ca. Patrons can also purchase wheelchair-accessible seats online at arts.nac-cna.ca. 

Our performance halls

The NAC has four performance halls, all of which are accessible. 

Southam Hall

There are multiple levels of seating available: Orchestra, Mezzanine, Amphitheatre, and the Balcony. Accessible seating (for individuals using wheelchairs or other mobility devices and their companions) is found on the Orchestra level, using the accessible entrance in the Southam Hall Foyer at the Orchestra level. Except for the accessible entrance, the use of stairs is required to access all other seating. All entries to Southam Hall are carpeted.

For Southam Hall, the public elevators access only the Amphitheater (Terrace Level 2). To access other levels of Southam Hall, patrons need to ask an usher to assist them in using the Southam elevators. The Southam Hall elevators are in the hall, just past the entry points on all levels.

The Babs Asper Theatre

There are two levels of seating available: Orchestra and Mezzanine. The Orchestra level is accessed via ramp, accessible seating is found at the back of the Orchestra level. Multiple stairs are found in the venue to access all other rows of seating. The Mezzanine level is accessed via staircases on either side of the venue entrance. All entries to the Babs Asper Theatre are carpeted.

The Azrieli Studio

The Studio is an intimate performance venue, with no reserved seating. The main entry is accessible. Accessible seating is available in the back row. All other rows of seating have multiple stairs to access. The main entry is accessible. 

The Fourth Stage

The Fourth Stage is our most intimate performance space, with no reserved seating. There are no stairs to access the performance hall. All seats, except for the back row, are accessible.

Public washrooms are available at every level of the National Arts Centre. All public washrooms include accessible and bariatric stalls and baby change tables.

At the Terrace level, washrooms can be found to the right of the O’Born room.

At the Elgin Street level, washrooms can be found past the elevators and to the right of Peter Herrndorf Place.

At the Canal level, public washrooms can be found to the right of Southam Hall through the pillars, and between Babs Asper Theatre and the the Azrieli Studio.

Universal washrooms and automated lift table

Two universal washrooms also can be found at the Canal level, to the right of the Southam Hall through the pillars. One of these universal washrooms has an automated adult lift table (with a maximum weight capacity of 500 pounds). 

• Interior map

There are multiple elevators on-site that provide access to different areas of the NAC.

Elevators are available at the following locations:

• Parking garage, Level P2 and Level P3 vestibules
• In the Box Office lobby at the Canal level
• Elgin Atrium, to the right of the Glass Thorsteinson Staircase
• Terrace level 2 (in front of the O’Born Room)

• Interior map

All public spaces are accessible.

The Canal Lobby connects three of the NAC performance halls: Southam Hall, the Babs Asper Theatre and the Azrieli Studio. The Canal Lobby, the Elgin Street Atrium, Peter Herrndorf Place, and the Glass Thorsteinson Staircase are open to the public from 8 am until our last performances ends, from Monday to Saturday and on Sunday when performances take place. 

The rooftop terrace is available for public use on a seasonal basis.

1 Elgin is the NAC’s canal-side restaurant. All entrances to 1 Elgin are accessible, as is the restaurant itself and washrooms for use by restaurant guests.

The restaurant is accessed on Elgin Street, using elevators on the P2 level and then following signs to the restaurant. 

Guests can also use the exterior entrance of 1 Elgin, by the Rideau Canal.

Patrons are encouraged to confirm the restaurant’s hours of operation before visiting. Reservations can be made online or by calling 613 594-5127.

Each of the NAC reception facilities are accessible.

• The O’Born Room, the Al Zaibak Lantern Room, and the Rossy Pavillion are on the Terrace level of the NAC. 
• The Canada Room is on the Elgin level of the NAC. This room is carpeted. 
• Le Salon is on the Canal level of the NAC. This room is partially carpeted.

• Reception spaces

The NAC is committed to serving persons with disabilities who use assistive devices to obtain, use, or benefit from the NAC’s goods and services. Employees and volunteers are trained how to interact with persons with disabilities who use an assistive device.

For audience members attending NAC events, a limited selection of assistive devices is available on-site for persons with disabilities, on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit the Communication Centre near Babs Asper Theatre, to borrow the following assistive devices at no charge:

• Wheelchairs
• Assistive hearing devices
• Booster seats
• Backrests

Note that a piece of photo identification must be left at the Communication Centre until any borrowed devices are returned.

Assistive hearing devices

The NAC uses the BOSCH Integrus System, an infrared transmission system, for all our performance venues. The system accommodates T-coil broadcasts by using an infrared receiver with a special induction loop neckband that plugs into the receiver. The neckband is worn around the neck, creating an individual teleloop for the wearer. A Cochlear Implant Patch Cord, as well as headsets for use without a hearing aid, are also available. All items are available free of charge from the Communications Centre, located near the Theatre Checkroom. Patrons are required to leave a piece of identification.

If you anticipate a need for support from an usher or on-site NAC staff during a performance or event, contact the Welcome Centre prior to your event at 613 947 7000, ext. 0 or by email at info@nac-cna.ca. Please note that the NAC does not offer professional support personnel.

The NAC is committed to welcoming persons with disabilities who are accompanied by a support person. Employees and volunteers are trained how to interact with persons with disabilities who require the assistance of a support person.

Any person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to access National Arts Centre premises that are open to the public and other third parties. At no time will a person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person be prevented from having access to their support person while on the premises.

Seating is available in every performance venue for patrons in wheelchairs and their companions. The NAC makes every effort to meet specific seating and accommodation requests for patrons with disabilities and accompanying support persons.

For ticketed performances or events, each person attending, including support persons, must have a valid ticket for that performance or event. To make appropriate seating arrangements when purchasing tickets, Accessible seating may be purchased online, in person, or by calling the NAC Box Office at 1-844-985-2787.

The NAC participates in the Access 2 Entertainment program by Easter Seals. Access 2 Entertainment cardholders can purchase a ticket for their companion at a reduced cost for all NAC-produced shows.

The NAC is committed to welcoming people with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal on NAC premises that are open to the public and other third parties. Employees and volunteers are trained how to interact with persons with disabilities who require the assistance of a guide dog or other service animal.

To make appropriate seating arrangements when purchasing tickets, contact the Box Office at 1-844-985-2787 or email tickets-billets@nac-cna.ca.

When at an NAC event, contact House Management to request support from ushers.

Service animals can often be identified through visual indicators. For example, a guide dog might be wearing a harness or a vest with a certification badge or it may be helping a person perform tasks. If a service animal cannot be identified easily, NAC staff may request that the person with the animal provide documentation from a regulated health professional to confirm that the animal is required for reasons relating to their disability.

Engaging people in the performing arts is our passion. As Canada’s home for the performing arts, we make space for a diversity of voices, perspectives, and lived experiences, both on the national stage and within all the circles of people we touch, including audiences, artists, arts workers, and volunteers.

The National Arts Centre is committed to providing a safe, dignified, and welcoming environment for everyone. We believe in integration, equality of opportunity, independent access, and participation for persons with disabilities. We will ensure compliance with all applicable accessibility legislation by identifying, preventing, and removing barriers to accessibility. We are committed to meeting the needs of persons with disabilities in a timely manner.

For general accessibility queries, accommodation requests, or feedback, contact the National Arts Centre at accessibility@nac-cna.ca.

Learn more in our Accessibility Policy and Accessibility Plan.

Feedback regarding accessibility to services, facilities, and the way National Arts Centre employees interact with others is welcome and appreciated. An accessibility feedback form is available upon request and online on the National Arts Centre’s Accessibility page. 

The Director of Visitor Experience will provide a response to accessibility feedback within five business days. Concerns will be addressed according to the NAC’s complaint management procedures.

• Accessibility feedback form

The NAC will provide notice in the event of a planned or unexpected disruption in accessible facilities, programs, or services usually used by people with disabilities. This notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated duration, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available. 

Notice of disruption of accessible services or facilities will be posted at the location of the disruption, at the front entrance of the NAC, and where appropriate for the disruption (for example, service counters, box office ticket sales, communication with patrons who have made accommodation requests).

For lengthy and planned delays, the notice will also be posted on the Accessibility page of the NAC website.

Latecomers will be permitted to access their seats only during a suitable pause in the performance, as identified by the producer. Audio-visual displays are located outside the venue to watch the performance while waiting.

Please note that, for certain performances, as requested by the producer, latecomers are not permitted entry.

Out of consideration for your fellow patrons, especially those with environmental sensitivities, we ask that you refrain from using scented products while at the NAC. If you are experiencing a reaction due to exposure to scents or other chemicals, please let us know as soon as possible. 

At each performance or event held at the NAC, the House Manager, the security personnel and other staff are available on-site who are trained in basic First Aid and CPR.

The NAC also has an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) on-site, with the House Manager, the security personnel and other staff members trained in how to use an AED.

AED units are available for all NAC employees, volunteers, and the public to access from these following locations:

• Box Office Lobby (near the ticket counter)
• Canal Lobby (behind the Intermission Bar)
• Atrium level (across from the reception desk)
• Julia Foster Gallery level (across from the Lantern room)
• Canada Room level (near terrace level exit)
• Parking Services office (Level 3 garage – red)
• Data Control office (top of stairs)
• Stage Door area

• Interior map

The emergency procedures manual provides information on how to respond and deal with such things as a fire, a power failure, a bomb threat, or a sudden performance cancellation at the National Arts Centre. Everyone has a role to play and it remains the responsibility of every employee to familiarize themselves with the established emergency procedures and abide by them fully should the need arise.