Accessibility - State Theatre and Bijou By The Bay

WHEELCHAIR ACCESS

The main entrances at both the State and Bijou are accessible.

ACCESSIBLE PARKING

For the State Theatre, accessible parking is available on Front Street. The Larry C. Hardy parking deck on Front Street also has accessible parking spaces and an elevator. For the Bijou, accessible parking is available in the Sara Hardy Farmer’s Market parking lot. If you have an accessible placard for your car, you do not need to pay the meter and can park in any metered spot downtown.

SEATING

Wheelchair spaces are available at both the State and Bijou theaters on the main floor, along with adjacent companion seating. Companion seats are released a few minutes prior to show start at sold out screenings and events. The balcony at the State Theatre can only be accessed by stairs.

RESTROOMS

An accessible unisex restroom is available on the main floor of the State Theatre. The restrooms at the Bijou are accessible, and can be found down front, behind the screen.

INFRARED SOUND AMPLIFICATION

Sound amplifying headsets that work with infrared hearing assistive technology are available for all films and events at the State and Bijou.

SONY ENTERTAINMENT ACCESS

Sony Access Glasses are lightweight, see-through eyewear that allow moviegoers to see closed caption text seemingly superimposed onto the picture on the screen — it’s a natural subtitled movie experience. The system also has an audio assist function, which provides a description of the action on screen to moviegoers who cannot see the film. We can provide headphones, or you can bring your own. The system works with select new release films that have been properly enabled by the distributors. Look for the Sony Access Glasses icon on our film pages, calendars, and ads.

CONTACTA INFOLOOP

People who use hearing aids equipped with telecoil can listen to movies on the main floor of the State Theatre using their hearing aids! The movie’s audio track is transmitted directly from the theater’s sound system to the hearing aid, significantly reducing background noise and making sound clearer. The State’s Contacta InfoLoop system was generously donated by Dr. Sandra Leahy and Dr. Kathleen Sawhill of Hearing Solutions of Northwest Michigan. For more information, visit hearingloop.org or call 231-922-1500.