Access Info For Optimists
With Disabilities

what is The Access Program?

The purpose of the Access Program for the Life is good Festival is to do our best to make it possible for our patrons with disabilities to attend the event and participate in the activities. We strive to give you all the information you need to properly prepare for your visit.

Questions Before The Event

If you have questions before the event, please write to Laura Grunfeld, Access Consultant for the Life is good Festival, at festivals@lifeisgood.com .   

Questions During The Event

If you have questions during the event, stop by the Info Booth/Access Center, next to the tower at the festival. We will have Access Program information. All patrons with disabilities are encouraged to stop by to pick up an Access Info brochure.

Requests for Accommodation — September 7th Deadline

Please read the Access Guide below. If you need an accommodation that the Access Program does not provide, please make your request no later than September 7th. Some services may be available without advance notice.  We want your visit at the Life is good festival to go as smoothly as possible.

Services Provided:

SERVICES FOR PATRONS WITH MOBILITY DISABILITIES

Accessible Parking

Accessible parking is available for those who have a valid, state-issued, accessible parking tag. There is limited on-site accessible parking, available on a first-come first-served basis. When that lot is full additional accessible parking is available in a nearby parking lot — just follow the signs with the wheelchair symbol. Lift-equipped accessible shuttles will bring patrons to the festival entrance.

If you do not have a tag but have recently had surgery or have another temporary condition that will limit your mobility during the festival, talk with your doctor about getting a temporary accessible parking tag. Do this promptly as this process can take time.

Write to  festivals@lifeisgood.com  if you have further questions about accessible parking.

Description of Grounds
All entrances to the festival will accommodate wheelchairs. It is roughly a tenth of a mile from the entrances to the grounds. The length of the field where the event is held is about two tenths of a mile.

Patrons will travel over pavement, hard packed dirt pathways, closely cropped lawn, and a track with hard packed dirt and fine gravel mix before arriving at the interior of the track where the festival activities are held. This area is mowed grass and is a combination of flat and slightly rolling terrain. If there is rain, some areas could become muddy.

Patrons will be responsible for getting themselves around the site and should plan their mobility needs accordingly. If you need more information, please write to festivals@lifeisgood.com .

Mobility Devices

What's Allowed and What's Not
Only those who have mobility disabilities may use mobility devices.

Patrons with mobility disabilities are welcome to bring their manual wheelchairs, motorized wheelchairs and three or four-wheeled scooters. Unicycles, bicycles, two-wheeled scooters, golf carts, and all-terrain vehicles are not allowed. Other types of mobility devices will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. For the safety of our patrons, powered mobility devices that move faster than a walking speed, have only one or two wheels, or are heavier and larger than a wheelchair or scooter, are not allowed.

Safety First
Please operate your mobility device in a safe and courteous manner. Move no faster than the "walking speed" of the pedestrians around you. Operate your mobility device according to manufacturer's instructions. Thank you for this consideration.

Contact festivals@lifeisgood.com by September 7th to ask for permission to bring any device other than a wheelchair or three or four-wheeled scooter. Keep in mind that because of the crowds and children, fast, large, or heavy mobility devices are not appropriate for this site and will not be allowed.

Recharging
Recharge your motorized wheelchairs and scooters at the Info Booth/Access Center.

Viewing Areas

At all three stages there will be a raised reserved viewing platform by the sound-mixing platform set back from the stage. At the Life is good and Good Vibes stages there are also reserved viewing areas directly in front of the stage. Look for signs with the wheelchair symbol.

Patrons who have mobility disabilities, who use wheelchairs and other mobility devices or who have a disability that substantially limits their ability to stand, will need to stop by the Info Booth/Access Center to request a wristband to use these areas. NEW policy this year: even those who use wheelchairs will need the access wristband.

Viewing Areas: Companion Policy

Each person with a disability may bring one companion into the reserved viewing areas. Families that have one or more member with a disability may stay together in the reserved areas. For this purpose “Family” consists of no more than two adults and any children less than 18 years of age.

Please be considerate of our patrons who have disabilities and do not abuse this service. Space is limited.

Activities and Games
Adaptive Recreation volunteers are available in the activities and games areas or stop by the Info Booth/Access Center to request assistance.

Accessible Portable Toilets
Accessible portable toilets will be available in every grouping of portable toilets.

Accessible ATMs
There are accessible ATMS at the festival. Stop at the Info Booth/Access Center for their locations.

Services That Are Not Provided
Wheelchair push services and golf cart rides are not provided. Personal care attendants are not provided.

SERVICES FOR PATRONS WHO ARE

DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING

Sign Language Interpreters

Life is good will have American Sign Language interpreters at all three stages for all performances. The interpreters will be located in front of the stage, to one side or the other, on a raised platform. Sign language interpreters will also be available at the Info Booth/Access Center and at the games and activities.

Assistive Listening Devices
Assistive Listening Devices may be checked out from the Info Booth/Access Center and are available by reservation or on a first-come, first-served basis. To reserve an ALD write to festivals@lifeisgood.com .

SERVICES FOR PATRONS WHO ARE

BLIND OR HAVE LOW VISION

Braille

A Braille copy of programming information is available at the Info Booth/Access Center. Anyone wanting his or her own personal copy must make that request no later than September 3rd by writing to festivals@lifeisgood.com .

Large Print
Large print programming information is available at the Info Booth/Access Center. Anyone wanting his or her own personal copy must make that request no later than September 3rd by writing to festivals@lifeisgood.com .

Guided Tour
Patrons who are blind or who have low vision may request a one-time guided tour by writing to festivals@lifeisgood.com or by stopping by the Info Booth/Access Center. We cannot offer all-day guide service but we are happy to show you the lay of the land.

SERVICE ANIMALS — NEW LAW

AND CHANGE IN POLICY

Service Dogs YES, Pets NO

Service DOGS and service miniature horses that are trained to assist an individual with a disability are allowed at the Life is good Festival. Other types of animals and pets are NOT allowed. Pets will be picked up and placed with the local humane society or patrons may take their pet to one of the local kennels.

Service animals must be under control, on-leash and along side of its handler at all times. Disruptive or dangerous animals will need to leave the site.

DO NOT bring animals that are not individually trained to assist you as a person with a disability. It is not safe for other patrons or for the animal. People who bring their pets and claim they are service animals are taking advantage of people with disabilities and threatening the health and safety of all.

Anyone who has questions or needs regarding their service animal may write to  festivals@lifeisgood.com .

Service Animal Relief Area
Stop at the Info Booth/Access Center to learn the location of the service animal relief area.

MEDICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Syringes

A person bringing a syringe must be prepared to show medication in prescription packaging with name on the label, and photo ID.

Medical Waste Disposal
Please dispose of your medical waste and sharps in the proper disposal at the Medical Tent. Please do not dispose of these things in the trash barrels. We appreciate your consideration for our volunteers and staff who handle the trash bags.

Medical Services
An ambulance will be on-site to help you with any type of medical problem. If you need assistance, go to the medical tent, or look for a police officer or festival staff member.

Special Dietary Needs
Those who have special dietary needs may bring small amounts of food, for personal use only, into the venue. Factory sealed, non-glass, water bottles, or empty containers to fill at the water stations, are also allowed.

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

Write to Laura Grunfeld, Access Consultant for the Life is good Festival, at festivals@lifeisgood.com .