LEV L. DASSIN, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that the Government has completed its review of the accessibility of the new Yankee Stadium under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (the "ADA"). As a result of close and successful cooperation between the New York Yankees, the Department of Justice, and private groups during the design and construction of the new Yankee Stadium, the Stadium is a model of accessibility to people with disabilities.
On December 11, 1999, the Yankees and the Government entered into a consent decree to settle litigation related to ADA compliance at the previous Yankee Stadium. When the Yankees undertook the design and construction of the new Yankee Stadium several years later, after the expiration of the consent decree, they voluntarily sought input from the Department of Justice, as well as from representatives of private groups committed to the interests of people with disabilities, to ensure accessibility at the new venue and avoid the costly retrofits that arise when an inaccessible facility must be brought into compliance. The resulting structure is one of the most accessible sporting venues in the nation. The new Yankee Stadium features:
- A total of 506 wheelchair spaces, 530 companion seats and 490 designated aisle transfer seats. Companion seats are designated seats next to wheelchair locations; the seats are sold together so that the wheelchair user can sit with family members or friends. Aisle transfer seats have removable armrests so that people with disabilities can easily transition into them from a wheelchair used for transport. Accessible seating choices are dispersed throughout the Stadium and across all price points. Wheelchair locations provide lines of sight over both seated and standing spectators comparable to those available to guests in adjacent general seating locations.
- 16 public elevators that service all levels and seat locations, each with a permanently stationed operator.
- Accessible suites with wheelchair seating locations and accessible restrooms.
- Closed-captioning for guests who are hearing impaired, provided on video boards located in left, right and center fields, as well as in the Great Hall, and on high-definition video monitors throughout the Stadium. The two dedicated captioning boards in left and right field are tied to emergency power and connected to the alarm system for notification during emergencies.
- Assistive listening devices, available at no charge at guest service booths throughout the Stadium
- Electrical outlets located at guest services booths and numerous accessible seating locations for re-charging wheelchairs and other medical equipment.
- Accessible routes within the site to each entrance and each ticket window from accessible drop off and accessible public transportation stops.
- Accessible ticket windows and concession counters.
- Availability of home-game schedules and other print materials in Braille or large print upon request.
- Wheelchair lifts in both the home and visiting dugouts, allowing wheelchair users direct access to both the players' bench and the playing field.
- Accessible bars and lounges, with accessible tables, dining surfaces and counters.
- Accessibility at every entrance, with accessible routes from each entrance to all public spaces, including the Great Hall, Monument Park, Babe Ruth Plaza and the New York Yankees Museum.
- Accessible signs throughout the Stadium, both permanent and via video boards and monitors, directing patrons with disabilities to accessible routes and services.
- Allowance of service animals for guests with disabilities.
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