Accessibility
Accessibility
The Midwest Film Festival is honored to partner with the Chicago Film Office and present our programming at the fully ADA-accessible Chicago Cultural Center.
We are committed to making film more accessible by prioritizing accommodations such as captioning, audio description, assistive listening devices, and ADA-compliant spaces, while continually seeking feedback to improve accessibility for all guests. Through these efforts, we strive to create a welcoming environment where everyone can fully engage with and enjoy cinema.
If you have any questions, special requests, or feedback about accessibility at our events, please contact our team at info@midwestfilm.com.
If you have attended one of our events, we encourage you to complete our Accessibility Scorecard to help us continue improving our programs.
CHICAGO CULTURAL CENTER ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION
Service animals trained to assist people with disabilities are welcome at the Chicago Cultural Center.
Mobility Access
The wheelchair-accessible entrance, located at street level on Garland Court and Randolph Street, leads to the westernmost Randolph Square entry doors, which feature power-assisted openings.
All restrooms and elevators within the Chicago Cultural Center are wheelchair accessible.
Wheelchairs are available for use within the Chicago Cultural Center on a first-come, first-served basis. Upon arrival, please ask the security officer on duty in the lobby for assistance. Wheelchairs may be used throughout the building and returned to the security desk when finished. Please note that staff are not available to push wheelchairs.
Wheelchair-accessible seating and seating without stair access are available in the back rows of the Claudia Cassidy Theater.
An accessibility lift and assisted seating are available in the Claudia Cassidy Theater.
An elevator connected to the underground Pedway is located in the Randolph Street Lobby. Another elevator, located outside the building at the southwest corner of Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street, also connects to the underground Pedway, providing access to the Chicago Cultural Center, the Metra Train Station, and the Grant Park Underground Garage.
D/deaf or Hard-of-Hearing Accessibility
Assistive Listening Devices
Assistive hearing devices are available for all public concerts and lectures, including FM headsets and over-the-head headphones. Please ask event staff or a CASE Volunteer for assistance.
Induction Loop
If you use a hearing aid or cochlear implant with a T-Coil, you may turn it on during performances, tours, or lectures in Claudia Cassidy Hall.
If you use the induction loop system, we welcome your feedback as we continue improving the experience. Please email dcase@cityofchicago.org.
Open Captioning
Open captioning provides a text display of dialogue and sound during performances and films. We aim to provide open captioning for all films whenever possible.
To request captioning for an upcoming event, please email dcase@cityofchicago.org or info@midwestfilm.com at least 72 hours before the event.
American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation
We offer American Sign Language interpretation by trained interpreters at larger events.
To confirm ASL availability or request interpretation for smaller events, please email dcase@cityofchicago.org or info@midwestfilm.com at least 72 hours before the event.
Blind or Low-Vision Accessibility
Touch tours, audio-described performances, and accessible exhibition openings are scheduled selectively throughout the year.
To request a touch tour or audio-described performance, please contact dcase@cityofchicago.org or info@midwestfilm.com at least 72 hours before the event.
Social Narratives
Social narratives for the Chicago Cultural Center are available to support neurodiverse individuals and families as they prepare for their visit.
Please visit the Social Narratives information page for additional details.