Accessibility

Appel Farm Arts & Music Campus is dedicated to providing all patrons with a friendly, caring environment in which to enjoy the arts. Volunteers are available at events to help with any of your needs. Service animals are welcome at Appel Farm.

To provide you with the best experience as possible, patrons requiring assistance should contact Appel Farm at least two weeks in advance. NJ Relay System TTY: (800) 852-7899 or 711. Appel Farm Office at (856) 358-2472 ext. 103, or click here to contact us.

Periodically, complimentary tickets are made available to service groups who provide access services to patrons at performances and festivals. However, at the time Appel Farm is only offering festivals which are free of charge. Please contact us to learn more.

Accessibility Advisory Committee

Appel Farm maintains anAccessibility Advisory Committee, which meets every other month to address issues concerning programming, facilities and policies. If you are interested in becoming a member of the committee please contact Heather Yelle, Accessibility Coordinator at (856) 358-2472 ext. 103.

Accessibility Services

ADA/Non-Discrimination Policy Statement

Appel Farm does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital status, birth gender, gender identity, liability for military service, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), family leave (due to the birth or adoption of a child or the serious health condition of a child, spouse, or parent), or disability in admission or access to, treatment of or employment in its services, programs or activities.

Upon request, all reasonable accommodation will be provided to welcome individuals with disabilities to participate in Appel Farm's services, programs and activities. Appel Farm Arts & Music Center, located in Elmer, NJ, transforms lives through various on- and off-site programs. This vision of providing quality arts and arts education experiences for the community is ingrained within the culture.

All the staff are open and caring individuals who believe that the arts are innate within everyone and are just waiting to be developed by all. Appel Farm's staff, volunteers, teaching artists and Board do not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to, treatment of or employment in, its services, programs or activities. Reasonable accommodation is made to allow individuals with disabilities to participate in Appel Farm's workforce, services, programs and activities. Appel Farm asks that patrons please allow two weeks advance notice to give the staff the opportunity to review requests and provide assistance whereas items such as large print and assistive listening devices are available at the door. In an effort to uphold the core values of community, personal growth, safety (both physical and emotional) and fun, Appel Farm will provide reasonable accommodation to patrons who request accessibility services and will partner with outside organizations to assist with the request if needed.

Additionally, the Appel Farm staff will work with community and regional partners for off-site programs and the Creativity Colaboratory Charter School in support of the ADA accessibility program.

Appel Farm has a designated ADA Coordinator to facilitate compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), as required by Section 35.107 of the U.S. Department of Justice regulations, and to coordinate compliance with Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Questions may be directed to the Heather Yelle, ADA Coordinator at (856)-358-2472 ext. 103 or hyelle@appelfarm.org.

Patrons may review the accessible services that are available by consulting the following pull down areas.

Hearing Access

Assistive Listening Devices, Sign Language Interpretation, Open Captioning

Performances in the Clare Rostan Appel Theatre

The Center is not holding performances at this time.

The Theatre is equipped with an Assistive Listening Device (ALD) system and is used for shows that use microphones. ALDs are available free of charge at the Theatre Box Office.
Sign language interpretation and open captioning available upon two week advance notice. Please contact Heather Yelle at hyelle@appelfarm.org, call (856) 358-2472 ext. 103. You may also call the NJ Relay Service at (800) 852-7899.

On-Site Festivals

Arts Fest, Healthy HeARTS Fest

Due to the nature of multiple activities happening at Festivals at once, sign language interpretation and open captioning available upon two week advance notice for specific items only. Please contact Heather Yelle at hyelle@appelfarm.org, call (856) 358-2472 ext. 103 to discuss your interests. You may also call the NJ Relay Service at (800) 852-7899.

Mobility Access

Performances in the Clare Rostan Appel Theatre

The Center is not holding performances at this time.

The theatre, box office, concessions and restrooms are barrier free.
Two accessible parking spots are available near the theatre and two more are available in the paved main lot. Patrons may pull up to the front door of the theatre and unload on the concrete pad. Additionally, there is a side concrete pad with a sidewalk to the front door and patrons may use that area as well if needed. The theatre driveway and accessible parking area are gravel covered. Parking is also available on paved main lot with access via concrete walkway to theatre.
During good weather months, golf cart transportation is available from the main lot to the theatre. Please call in advance so that a golf cart is readily available for you.
Volunteers are made available to assist you. Limited Wheelchair seating is available and may be reserved in advance or on a first come, first served basis at the door. Appel Farm can accommodate three accompanying guests for each patron in a wheelchair.

On-Site Festivals

Arts Fest, Healthy HeARTS Fest

Accessible parking is available for patrons with disabilities on the paved parking lot adjacent to the entrance area. Patrons are greeted by volunteers providing golf cart transportation from the parking lot. You may also request a return trip at the end of the day.
There is access to the Meadow stage via a paved driveway and concrete walkway if you prefer. The rest of the grounds are located in fields with grass that has been mowed.
Accessible restroom is available in North Building Room 4 which is next to the festival.

Arts Classes & Workshops

The entrances to the Art Building, Dining Hall, Dance Studio and Theatre are accessible. Accessible parking is available at the Art Building, in the main lot for the Dining Hall and Dance Studio and at the Theatre. (Please see information about the Theatre above.)
Please contact Kristina Hill, Curriculum Director, at khill@appelfarm.org with any specific requests before attending class so that we are able to make your class time as enjoyable as possible.

C3 School

The entrances to the Art Building/Main Office, Dining Hall, Dance Studio, Hill Building, Coop Building, South Building, and Theatre are accessible. Accessible parking is available at the Art Building/Main Office, in the main lot for the Dining Hall and Dance Studio, Hill Building, Coop Building, South Building, and at the Theatre. (Please see information about the Theatre above.)

Rental Housing

North Dorm facilities are limited and are only used during warm weather seasons. Patrons are welcome to drive on the dirt road to the North Dorm to unload. Access to the building may also be obtained through a rear entrance sidewalk.

Other Building Access

Please call (856) 358-2472 or email Heather Yelle, Accessibility Coordinator, at hyelle@appelfarm.org with your requests.

Visual Access

Large Print brochures are available for the Festival programs, the Summer Arts Camp Brochure and the Rental Brochure.
Braille brochures are available with two weeks advance notice.
Sensory Seminars are usually held when there are theatre productions where props can be touched. Hands on classes (ARTSLab) also provide an opportunity for those with limited site to work with their hands.

Service Animal Policy

Appel Farm welcomes patrons and guests to bring certified service animals including
guide and service dogs on campus, including “seeing-eye” dogs, hearing dogs, seizure
dogs, manual labor dogs, and psychiatric dogs, and dogs wearing certified vests or
vests for training and are working.

Dogs who are in training may attend a class, concert, or a festival event on Appel
Farm’s campus to become acclimated to crowds.

All guide and service dogs must be on a leash and in control by their handler at all
times. Any damage incurred by the dog is the responsibility of the owner.

Patrons are encouraged to contact us two weeks in advance of an event so that we may
provide the best experience possible when accommodating their service animal,
however, Appel Farm staff is also equipped to receive service animals at an event
without advanced notice.

Patrons planning to attend summer camp or an overnight experience at Appel Farm
should contact the Camp Director or Program Director in advance of registration to
discuss their service animal needs.

Such dogs as included in this policy are recognized as service animals under titles II
and III of the ADA, defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform
tasks for people with disabilities.

Grievance Policy

Appel Farm provides reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities to the programs, facilities and services. When a concern arises about an issue of accessibility, there is a grievance procedure in place that provides for prompt and fair resolution of complaints received from visitors, patrons, students and employees. In the event that an individual wishes to bring forth a concern, all attempts are made to address the issue immediately and the following steps will be utilized:

Appel Farm’s ADA Coordinator initially will meet with, or talk on the phone with, the patron/employee to determine the nature of the concern, discuss and document the issues and answer any questions raised by the individual within two business days. A copy of the accessibility statement and grievance procedure will be provided to the individual. The patron/employee may designate a person to act on their behalf. Other ADA committee members may join in the meeting should they have pertinent information to resolve the matter. Assistance will be offered by the ADA Coordinator to help resolve the concern and indicate progress toward creating an environment of independence for persons with disabilities within a week under the guidance of the Executive Director, who may or may not be involved directly in the process. If the individual wants to make a formal request in writing, the patron/employee should address the request to the ADA Coordinator, Appel Farm Arts & Music Center, PO Box 888, Elmer, NJ 08318 or email hyelle@appelfarm.org. The patron/employee must include name, address, telephone number, email and a description of the concern and time/date it occurred, and what action the individual recommends to resolve the issue; this will then be shared formally with the Executive Director.
An informal investigation shall be performed by the ADA Coordinator to verify information and to verify the circumstances of the concern within the second week. If immediate action is not attainable and Appel Farm staff needs further assistance, it will be identified to the patron at the end of the second week;
Recommendations and timeline for accommodation will be presented to Appel Farm’s ADA Advisory Committee and Board of Trustees for consideration within 14 days following Appel Farm’s introduction to the concern;
Board approved recommendations and accommodations will be reported to the individual within 30 days from the date of the filing of the concern, if it has not already been presented within the first two weeks as stated in steps 1 and 2.
If the patron/employee is not satisfied with the outcome and has additional information to share with the board for reconsideration, the individual should appeal the decision within 30 days of the initial notification. The Appel Farm Board of Trustees has 30 days to respond to the additional information (appeal).
Further unresolved concerns would then be settled through correspondence with Appel Farm’s attorney in accordance with applicable NJ law. It should also be noted that Appel Farm promotes a sense of understanding, community awareness and attention to individual needs through Appel Farm’s four core values of community, personal growth, safety, and fun. Appel Farm proactively supports a community of individuals with diverse needs with the central value of providing an environment encouraging all people (children and adults alike) to be their best selves. With this philosophy in mind, it is the staff’s desire and best intentions that this grievance procedure will only need to be addressed and executed at the staff level as quickly as possible.

Outdoor Stages and Theatre Maps

Clare Rostan Appel Theatre Map

Please note: The Clare Rostan Appel Theatre is not currently being used for public events by Appel Farm Arts & Music Center. The theatre is available for private rentals at which time it is the responsibility of the renter to secure any accessible services they need. Appel Farm is willing to share contacts with renters if needed.

Outdoor Stages

Please note: The Grove stage is used for the public events that include Arts Fest in May and Healthy HeARTS Festival in November. The stage is also available for private rentals at which time it is the responsibility of the renter to secure any accessibly services they need. Appel Farm is willing to share contacts with renters if needed.

The Meadow stage is available for private rentals at which time it is the responsibility for the renter to secure any accessible services they need. Appel Farm is willing to share contacts with renters if needed.

Emergency Preparedness Plan

As one of Appel Farm’s four core principals, Safety (both physically and emotionally) is of utmost priority for our staff, students, teachers, Board and visitors. Appel Farm Arts & Music Center has been working diligently with numerous emergency responders in the creation of the Emergency Preparedness Plan.

The purpose of the Appel Farm Emergency Preparedness Plan (EPP) is to protect life in emergencies by coordinating response activities of the staff, volunteers and outside service organizations (such as the fire, police and ambulance) to ensure their optimum use. The plan provides for actions to be taken to mitigate, prepare, respond and recover from the effects of an emergency. As part of the plan, consideration for persons with disabilities have been taken and are included within the plan.