Looking for Past Experiences with ADA/Handicapped Services

First, welcome to the board! While I cannot directly answer any of your questions we appreciate you taking the time to look through the information here before posting. I am sure that someone will be along shortly that can answer your questions. See you on the farm!

Hey, thanks! Really looking forward to it. My husband has been going to shows and festivals since he was a teenager (he's a Phish fan- me not so much, but I love the crowd and vibes). I'm newer to the jam-band experience (grew up more into punk and classic rock). But I begged him to give up Dick's for Lock'n.

I'm an Army brat who lived in Newport News for a while, and we go to the DC area all the time so VA is very special to me. Plus I frakking LOVE LOVE LOVE a lot of these acts. I can already tell its going to be fantastic.

I hope I can encourage you to not give up seeking answers! I've only been to the 1st Lockn', with plans to attend this year's now - - so I can only vouch for my 2013 experience. I was NOT using ADA amenities, but I have contended with trochanter pain attack in my hips frequently, especially when standing or walking a long time, such as at outdoor events of which Lockn'13 was my first-ever camping festival.

Glad you'll have a companion, as did I; while I ended up spared a surprise glute/hip flare-up, I DID find the terrain a challenge in places such as where we set up our tent. Red clay and untrimmed wild-grass made it kind of chunky for walking to/ from our campsite to the stages. I wasn't prepared for that!

Have you researched the Lockn site for example to get an understanding how vast it is. Even though only a part of the Oak Ridge Estate is used for the venue, this estate is close to 5000 acres** acc to wiki. It was built originally to accommodate a racetrack and I definitely felt that vastness when I first approached the setup.
**Examples to compare that with include, say, another music/multi-day fest such as PeachFest (venue = 70 acres in a rural-ish setting), or a raceway such as Richmond International (~1000 acres) or Colonial Downs horse racetrack (merely 600 acres but it feels bigger).

My point is although I'd been camping before I'd never camped several days/nights at a music festival until this one, and the terrain I mentioned did throw me off although I consider myself adaptive apart from my hip pain.

The other point of reassurance I may offer you is that people we met & became acquainted with face-to-face proved to be overwhelmingly friendly and when possible, immensely helpful. This being The First Year, a lot of us in the same boat as far as "What/ WHere/ Which way to...?" I wish I could assure you that ADA amenities will be as forthcomingly reliable as Lockn' organizers offer but you're probably already aware sometimes circumstances arise that encumber everyone - -as with last year's storm! But the nicest of strangers we encountered made up for occasional rude (mostly just drunk & disorderly) peeps.

If you hadn't indicated you'd already purchased tix I'd want to ask: Is Lockn the first ever grand-scale music fest you've chosen over others for a reason? I live in Virginia and that was my main draw in 2013 and why I'll be back again, but I aim to be roughing' it based on stuff I've read in various discussions like this board and conversations w/ friends who've been every year now... Even the best-intentioned organizing outfit may be helpless at times over some elements out of their control. I think Lockn’s in-charges are still on a learning curve w/ how to accommodate in the beautiful vast setting they’ve adapted for music fans (and for Festy supposedly, next time) but give them time and someone should guide you to the appropriate dialogue with them where you get info in better detail!

:sets up camp in this thread:

Moondi -

I'll recap what I know from my fairly extensive research on this topic. I am also a first time attendee at Lockn' this year, and my ADA situation is very similar to yours, in that I have orthopedic issues from clubfoot and associated surgeries. I have synthetic achilles tendons and am arthritic. While I am otherwise healthy, and can do a certain amount of walking, I have real issues at large fests and it can turn out to be a very painful experience.

I tend to comb through in ultimate detail regarding any fest I attend, because logistics and layout really matter to me whether or not it's something I can physically handle. In the past, I have bought into VIP tickets at certain fests, but at $2200 a couple for tix and camp pass, that's more than my budget can handle. I wonder if I can get lucky and potentially find 'lumni tix that someone can't use, but until then I am invested in the idea that ADA is the only way I can afford to do this fest.

Here's what my research has found, in relation to your questions:

- Where is the handicap accessible camping normally located? Are the sites still the standard size?

They are SUPPOSED to be, but that hasn't necessarily played out in practice. Reports from last year indicated that the sites were much smaller than the 450 sq. ft. they were supposed to be, because they had more people show up for ADA than they had allocated space for. I assume that's what reserved ADA campsites are sold for, but I have read that some ADA people showed without ADA reserved passes in the past? The ADA site was on the left (west) side of the track near the GA entrances (although that could still actually be a 5-10 minute walk from some locations, as it runs a good portion of the length of that side of the track).


- How is handicapped viewing? Is this located to the side, front, or back of the stage? Are chairs provided and can I bring my husband (who wants to watch a show alone!)

Here's a video from last years' fest. Freeze it at 44 seconds:



Now look at the video, and notice the two platforms just behind, and to each side of the soundboard. These are the VIP platforms. Just beyond the VIP platform on the right, you will see a larger white tent. I was told that this was the ADA area from last year. Not sure about chairs or companions, but I am interested in answers too. This video reinforces why I wish I could go VIP....but I am probably going to need to make the most of what's offered at GA price.


- Do they have handicapped/ADA transportation available? I know there is a paid "taxi" service that I won't mind using if need be; some ADA transportation I have experienced has had me waiting an hour plus.

I have read and been told here that there is an ADA taxi that leaves from ADA "HQ" in the ADA camp that takes us to the ADA viewing spot, and then back to camp. Can't vouch for how long it takes, but I assume if we go into the shop earlier we would probably wait less time for service. Another issue for me is getting to the late nights.....I know I am going to want to see JRAD - hope it's not all the way back at the Woods stage.....


- Are there larger restroom facilities to accommodate handicapped festival goers?

I don't know about larger, but I have read here that ADA camp has them, as well as some inside (don't know about location, though).


- I know I need to bring my placard and other identification, but do they make your wear a handicapped wristband or anything like that to access the services? Unfortunately my disability is "invisible" and I appear young and healthy, so I get nasty looks all of the time when I use a handicapped stall or ask for assistance.

I don't know on this one - I assume they do have an ADA band (most fests I have gone to had them). Curious on this as well.


I also wonder if there are showers in the ADA campground. Last year's site stated "Yes, we have accessible showers", but it did not state if those were in shower world, a helluva long way from ADA camp. If that's where the accessible showers are, it's going to be a real project to take showers (and another reason I'll be pining for VIP)...


Hopefully this helps, and will be a further stepping stone for additional conversation on this topic.

And the year we camped in ADA, the disabled person was allowed to have a companion who is not disabled. I enjoyed the cart rides even though I can walk just fine...but when there was a line backed up I would hoof it and meet Worf there. Worked out fine.

Awesome information- bummer you have to be in a wheelchair to use a porto, but I suppose I really don't need one, but the handles are VERY nice for getting up (not always an easy task for me on bad days). Are you planning on staying ADA or why didn't you again?

HI all! I'll be in ADA again this year. I have MS which doesn't show on the outside as of yet, BUT there are days when my legs are so weak that walking long distances is next to impossible. Year one for LOCKN, I was in RV ridge and made that trek a couple times at least a day. This past year ADA RV was so close, I almost felt guilty being there, but it was a blessing the one day I was too sore to go very far. It looks like most of your questions have been answered. ADA RV does sell out. A bunch of people showed up year 2 without purchasing the correct pass and were let in using just the placard, then the lot filled up early and people with passes got parked elsewhere. Last year the area was much bigger and didn't fill up. We stayed hooked to our tow vehicle which made it easier to leave. I guess your space depended on what you needed. There was an ADA station to grab golf cart rides to the far stages (the main stage was literally just out the gate from ADA), but there was no ride back. The pedicabs were cheap and fun so at least there was that option. Also, the ADA cab stand was located in ADA tent camping which was up a steep hill from the RVs... Hope this helps. Oh and you do get an armband and can have a companion. I didn't use the ADA viewing platform it was crowded and everyone up there looked sweaty and uncomfortable.

'Lumni tickets are tickets that prior year's attendees were allowed to purchase last fall at a modest discount - a festival loyalty program of sorts. Since these tickets were purchased with no lineup known - and especially since the main thrust of the lineup has changed (Phish/Ween/MMJ), some of those people might sell and do something different. In addition, sometimes people's situations simply change and they decide not to attend for other reasons. So I haven't ruled out going VIP, but I need to see if I can swing that on a finance level.

I did purchase two GA tix at the tier 1 price with an ADA camping pass, since those ADA camping passes have sold out in prior years, and I didn't want to be left out entirely. If I do end up in VIP, I can sell these later, as the ADA will likely sell out, and the GA tix will have gone up in price, therefore saving that eventual buyer some coin in the process.

Judging from what I'm reading on this forum, I don't have any doubts that we will be surrounded by cool people. If the ADA area is anything like the maps have shown in the last two years there will be plenty of "vibe" in the vicinity and no reason to feel left out

And I'm with you on wanting to be more in the thick of the energy, but depending on how crowded it gets I may well end up having to be further back. I don't do well if it's shoulder-to-shoulder with no groove space, and given the way the VIP area was set up last year, there will be lots of competition for the remaining good space in GA. So I may end up in a spot not too far removed from where that tent was anyway.

That modest discount saved me $400 on two VIP tickets. Even to a baller that's not chump change.

Excellent information- I prefer to be informed. Good to know about parasols, I will definitely have to buy one or two to bring. Luckily, my husband and I bring along some super yummy dairy free organic protein shakes when we travel to shows. Saves money, creates less mess, and all we need is water and ice. I'm normally the "Cooking Mama" at shows and go all out meal planning for everyone in our group, but since it will probably be just us two, we will just bring along veggies, fruit, nuts, etc and a ton of water and eat from vendors if we're craving something more.

Too bad for your friend- I am the opposite way. I work ten hour shifts at a desk (engineering) so my pain comes from sitting so much. I'm working on getting a standing desk option. My pain started in my early 30's as well and my diagnosis was devastating (two weeks after my wedding). I had blamed earlier signals of my disease on general abuse of my body or pulled muscles, etc in my twenties. Who knew a tiny tingling in your toe meant you had a herniated disc?

Sooooo.... I was online to buy my ADA RV pass at noon on Friday and it said sold out (apparently it was winking in and out). I called and was told to just buy a regular pass and write the ADA Email to have it changed, that it wasn't sold out, there was a glitch in the system. In the meantime, Jay spoke to someone directly and they sold him an ADA RV pass over the phone. Now we have 2 except no one from ADA ever responded to my Email. I called again and was told my hold time would be at least 45 minutes... I finally got an Email in response to my query saying "We're really busy, it will take us 2 weeks to respond. If you need help before then, please write again..." So now we have 2. Well, one regular RV one ADA... Not sure if I'm going to whine to my credit card or just miracle the regular spot closer to festie time. I'm just sick of the run around...

Yeah I am going on week two and no-one has even said to wait for a reply. I'm hoping I can eventually get one. Is ADA camping next to ADA RV camping? Is it true if you get ADA RC camping you must have an RV?