ORANGE COUNTY · ACCESSIBILITY GUIDE
Hearing
Trip planning for your accessibility needs.
This guide is for deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors to Orange County. The honest picture: hearing support here is concentrated in performing arts — the county’s theaters are unusually well-equipped, led by the Segerstrom Center, which has captioning, a hearing loop, assistive listening, and ASL. Outside the theaters, assistive listening devices turn up at a few museums and the ballpark, but ASL and captioning are the exception rather than the norm. The workable rule everywhere: ASL-interpreted and captioned performances are usually specific dates, not every show — check the calendar and request ahead.
It’s built in two halves. First, the city-level playbook — the devices and loops, ASL and captioning, and how to book them. Then the standout venues for hearing access in each category, with a link to browse the rest.
In this Guide:
- What to Expect — how ASL, captioning & ALDs actually work here
- Performing Arts
- Theme Parks
- Museums
- Sports & Event Venues
What to Expect
ASL is scheduled, not on demand. Where venues offer sign-language interpretation (Segerstrom, Laguna Playhouse, South Coast Repertory, Disneyland, Knott’s, Festival of Arts), it’s typically for select performances or with advance notice — plan around the interpreted dates and contact the box office early.
Assistive listening is common but often first-come. ALDs are the most widely available hearing feature, but several venues hand them out at the box office the night of the show on a first-come basis (the Grove of Anaheim, Festival of Arts’ VenueReader devices) — arrive early, and bring ID if a deposit is required.
Captioning and hearing loops are rare wins. Only Segerstrom (hearing loop + captioning), Laguna Playhouse (captioning), and Angel Stadium (captioning on the boards) document them — worth seeking out.
Performing Arts
The county’s core for hearing access. Request interpreted/captioned dates in advance.
Segerstrom Center for the Arts — full accessibility details →
The most fully equipped venue in the county: captioning, assistive listening devices, a hearing loop, and sign-language interpretation. Check the accessibility page for per-performance ASL/captioned dates.
- Assistive listening devices plus a hearing loop for T-coil aids; captioning available
- ASL-interpreted performances on select dates — check the accessibility page and request when you book
Laguna Playhouse — full accessibility details →
Captioning, assistive listening, and ASL — a strong all-round offering for a smaller theater.
- Captioning and ALDs
- ASL-interpreted performances on select dates — request in advance
South Coast Repertory — full accessibility details →
Assistive listening and ASL-interpreted performances on select shows.
- ALDs (subject to availability)
- ASL-interpreted dates only on select productions — confirm with Ticket Services (714-708-5555)
Irvine Barclay Theatre — full accessibility details →
Assistive listening at this intimate 750-seat hall at UC Irvine.
- ALDs available at the venue
Festival of Arts & Pageant of the Masters — full accessibility details →
ASL-interpreted dates and loaner listening devices at Laguna Beach’s summer stage.
- ASL-interpreted performances on scheduled dates — call the ticket office to confirm
- VenueReader devices at the box office after 6 p.m. (ID deposit required)
The Grove of Anaheim — full accessibility details →
Assistive listening at this mid-size Anaheim concert hall.
- ALDs at the box office, night of show, first-come
- Special seating is arranged only through Grove representatives, not standard ticketing
All Accessible Performing Arts Venues
Filter by the hearing features you need
Theme Parks
Both majors provide interpreters for shows with notice; Disneyland adds captioning and assistive listening.
Disneyland Resort — full accessibility details →
Captioning, assistive listening, and sign-language interpretation across the two parks.
- Captioning and ALDs
- ASL-interpreted show performances run on a schedule — request ahead
Knott’s Berry Farm — full accessibility details →
Sign-language interpretation with advance request.
- ASL interpreters by advance request — confirm on Knott’s accessibility page
All Accessible Theme Parks
Filter by the hearing features you need
Museums & History
Nixon Presidential Library — full accessibility details →
Assistive listening across the museum galleries in Yorba Linda.
- ALDs available; staff trained to assist
All Accessible Museums
Filter by the hearing features you need
Sports & Event Venues
The major arenas offer assistive listening and captioned displays; these stand out for hearing:
Angel Stadium — full accessibility details →
Captioning and assistive listening at the Big A in Anaheim
- Captioning on the boards; ALDs on request at Guest Services
All Accessible Sports Venues
Filter by the hearing features you need
