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The Smithsonian strives to make all visitors feel welcome. Some accessibility features include:
Accessible facilities and at least one entrance that is accessible to visitors with limited mobility. View our Accessibility Map (PDF) for accessible entrances, parking, and more.
Free manual wheelchair loans available at every museum in Washington, D.C., and the National Zoo on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors are welcome to use their own mobility devices. Please note this does not include devices used strictly for recreational purposes.
Open captioning of exhibition videos and audio description is incorporated into exhibitions.
Tactile elements included throughout the museums. Tactile and/or verbal description tours can be arranged by contacting a museum; two weeks advance notice is appreciated. For details, visit the museums' websites below.
Sign language interpretation for scheduled tours can be arranged by contacting the museum; two weeks advance notice is appreciated. For details, visit the museums' websites below.
Access services for public programs can be arranged by contacting the museum in advance. For details, visit the museums' websites below.
IMAX movies shown during regular museum hours of operation offer assistive listening devices, audio-description and rear-window captioning. For details, view our IMAX Theater and Planetarium Accessibility FAQ.
Aira Access mobile information and verbal description service is available at Smithsonian museums in the Washington, D.C., metro area. Visitors can download the free Aira app on a smartphone, connect to each museum's free Wi-Fi, and use the app to speak to an Aira agent using minutes provided courtesy of the Smithsonian.
Museum-specific Information