It’s a go for Taylor Swift show: South San Francisco teen gets ADA concert accommodations

Ariana Kallas has used a wheelchair since she was 7 years old from a rare genetic disease she was diagnosed with when she was 2 years old. She is now 17 and recently graduated from El Camino High School in South San Francisco.

When Swift’s tour dates were released in November, George Kallas rushed to the online box office to retrieve tickets but was unable to find ADA accessible seating, citing there was nowhere to purchase them. Instead he bought seats in the third level with hopes to exchange them at the ticket booth once he gets to the concert, something he has done many times.

However, when he called the stadium, he was told the policy had changed and they no longer offered ADA exchanges.

Through a string of emails, George Kallas was told he needed to request the tickets and he later received a response. Levi’s ADA Exchange Department responded in February saying both of Swift’s shows were sold out and there were no ADA accessible seats available.

When it seemed like there weren’t many options left, Ariana Kallas took to Twitter. She found multiple other people with disabilities around the country having similar issues obtaining ADA accessible seats for the Taylor Swift show, she said. Her post made waves on Twitter, shared nearly 30,000 times and has more than 330,000 views.

Levi’s Stadium responded to the Kallases’ situation in June.

“We believe everyone should be able to enjoy concerts and events at Levi’s Stadium, no matter what their accommodation needs may be. There has been unprecedented demand for the Taylor Swift shows,” a spokesperson for Levi’s Stadium previously said.

Now, Ariana Kallas will get a chance to see her favorite musician in concert and have a night that filled with memories.

“It’s going to be a great night, it’s a dream come true and she will be able to see the show without worrying,” George Kallas said. “I want to thank the Bay Area community for showing love and support. It makes us feel better. Also, thank you to Francine Hughes of Levi’s Stadium for keeping her word and making it happen.”