Accessibility for the Disabled
Public spaces, including the Academy, can present challenges for the disabled. This web page provides information that should ease and enhance your visit, whether you are hearing impaired, mobility impaired, or visually impaired.
Guests of the Academy should always feel comfortable requesting assistance from the staff.
For the Hearing Impaired
Our auditorium is equipped with assisted listening devices. Please request these at the Admissions Desk.
For the Mobility Impaired
Because of its age, the building that houses the Academy's museum has a number of barriers to visitors with mobility impairment. The following should help:
- Visitors with wheelchairs are welcome to enter through our barrier-free entrance located on 19th Street.
- A limited number of wheelchairs are available on request.
- The elevator in the rear of the museum (near the 19th Street Entrance) provides access to all floors. The elevator at front of the building provides access to the Main Floor, Mezzanine and Second Floor.
- All restrooms have stalls that can accommodate wheelchairs and all stalls have railings. Automatic doors are available for the restrooms on the Ground Floor.
For the Visually Impaired
Some exhibits and activities may be of particular interest to the visually impaired:
- Outside In is our Children's Nature Center. It contains many specimens that can be handled or smelled. It is also a place where all visitors can meet and touch live animals. Outside In is located on the Third Floor.
- The Big Dig is a place where you can dig for dinosaur bones. It is located in the back of the Mezzanine in Dinosaur Hall.
- There are a number of dinosaur skulls and other hands-on displays in the front of the Mezzanine in Dinosaur Hall.
- Museum specimens that can be touched and handled are frequently featured at the Science Live Station, which is located in fron ot the Auditorium on the Main Floor.
- Wild Weekends are special events that often feature Live Animal Shows and specimens that can be handled.