Accessibility

Translation Services

Located in the upper right corner of our homepage, you can select from ten languages (English, Arabic, Amharic, Chinese, French, Hindi, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Somali and Spanish) prevalent in Columbus to translate our site. The translator does not translate graphics or PDFs, only text in HTML.

Translation and interpretation services are available on request. Please request service at least two weeks in advance.

Accesibility at our Events

GCAC programs and events are held at a variety of locations throughout the city. Any programs or events hosted at outside locations will have detailed accessibility information tailored to the venue. Our events will always indicate if there is a fee or if it is a free event.

The Columbus Arts Festival, produced by GCAC, strives to increase accessibility each year. Our most recent initiatives are a Sensory Free Area staffed with volunteers from Autism Ohio; an adult changing station provided by Momentum Fresh; accessible restrooms; family changing stations; and wheelchair charging area.

What to Expect in Our Facility

The accommodations described below apply to the GCAC offices at 182 East Long Street for our first floor, including the Loann Crane Gallery.

For Participants with Mobility Disabilities

• The entrance to the GCAC office located at 182 East Long Street is wheelchair accessible. Please come to the front door and ring the buzzer to gain entrance. Our building, built in 1916, is a historically designated building.
• GCAC staff are happy to provide curbside assistance navigating the front door for anyone who would like some support. We ask that you let us know the day before you are visiting if you would like assistance entering our building.
• Fully accessible, gender-neutral restrooms are available on the first floor (signs include wheelchair symbol).
• Please request wheelchair seating when registering for any program.

For Participants who Are visually Impaired

• Materials for all GCAC events and meetings are available on request in large print or digital formats.
• GCAC is pleased to provide Audio Description services for select programming. Please request this service at least two weeks in advance.
• GCAC staff will gladly greet participants to provide curb-to-seat service. Please request this service a minimum of one day prior to the event and someone will meet you at the door of the building when you will arrive.
• Restroom signage on first floor is in Braille

For participants who are deaf or hard of hearing

• American Sign Language Interpreters will be made available. Please request this service at least two weeks in advance.
• Open captioning will be made available. Please request this service at least two weeks in advance.
• Assistive listening devices (ALDs) may be available in some venues on a first-come, first- served basis.
• Anyone requesting ASL interpretation or open captioning will receive preferred seating.

Computer Lab and Application Assistance

GCAC has computers open to the public for applications if needed. Please call 614-224-2606 or email our Grants & Community Engagement staff at grants@gcac.org to reserve time at least 48 hours in advance.

Virtual Accessibility

• Every effort will be made to ensure virtual presentations use high contrast and large font. However, some events are contracted through outside experts and vendors who create their own presentations. If you require a presentation that is accessible to someone with low vision, please let us know two weeks prior to the event.
• Our virtual events can also have an ASL interpreter or open captioning upon request. Event recordings can also be captioned. Please request these services at least two weeks in advance.

Transportation Accessibility

Our offices are located in downtown Columbus and served by several COTA bus routes, which are accessible.

https://www.cota.com/riding-cota/accessible-services/

• Fixed-route buses lower to the curb to make boarding easier.
• Vehicles have ramps that extend for wheelchairs and other mobility devices.
• Bus stops are announced and displayed onboard fixed-route buses.
• Service animals are welcome on all COTA vehicles.
• Your Personal Care Attendant (PCA) boards free. Just show your valid COTA ID card marked “YES” for the PCA free ride.

https://www.cota.com/services/cota-mainstream/

COTA Mainstream is a shared-ride public transportation service providing origin-to-destination transportation for people whose functional limitations prevent them from riding COTA’s fixed-route buses for some or all of their trips. To use COTA Mainstream, you must complete an application, attend an interview assessment, and meet eligibility criteria for the service.

Other transportation options include:

• Uber (www.uber.com)
• Lyft (www.Lyft.com)
• Yellow Cab (yellowcabofcolumbus.com)
• Express Cab of Columbus (www.expresscolumbustaxi.com)

Parking

Parking is available at meters on East Long Street as well as the surface lot on the east side of our building (we are the second building east of North 4th Street on the north side of the street). Please contact the staff member you are working with to get parking rates and additional information.