Smithsonian Institution Accessibility Overview
- Manual wheelchairs areavailableat no cost at all Smithsonian museumsand the National Zoo on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Visitors are welcome to use their own personal mobility devices in the Smithsonian museums.
- Access services for public programs, such as real-time captioning andsign language interpretation, can be arranged by contacting the museum hosting the programin advance, or by emailing Access@si.edu.
- Open captioningis provided on all museum exhibition videos.
- Assistive listening devices are available at all Smithsonian museums. Contact the individual museum to inquire.
- Tactile and visualdescription tours can be arranged by contacting the individual museums, or by emailing Access@si.edu.
- Tactile elementsare availablethroughout many Smithsonian museums.
- TheSmithsonian Institution guide and map is available in braille and large printat each museum's information desk.
- Aira Accessmobile 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.
- Bathrooms are located throughout the Smithsonian museums. All bathrooms have an accessible stall, and some museums have a Family/Companion Care restroom. Inquireat the museum Information Desk or look at the museum's map to find bathroom locations.
- IMAX movies shown duringmuseum hours have assistive listening devices, audio-description,and rear-window captioning. For details, view theIMAX Theater and Planetarium Accessibility FAQ.
Museum Accessibility Information
General Museum Tips
- Visit the Smithsonian's main website for hours and admission information and to plan your visit.
- Visitors must go through the securityscreeningat the entrance of the museums.Security officers will look inside bags, and visitors willwalkthrough a metal detector.
- Some of the museums or specific exhibitionscan be loud on busy days. Visitors may bring noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs with them on their visit if they would like.
- For some objects in the museum, an alarm will go off if someone gets too close to the object. If the alarm goes off, visitors should take a step back to give the object space.
- Most museum bathrooms have automatic flush toilets, automatic on and off sinks, and automatic electric blow hand dryers. The hand dryers and the automatic flush toilet may be loud for some visitors.
Social Narratives and Pre-Visit Videos
Social narratives and pre-visit videos are designed to help prepare visitors for situations they may encounter at the Smithsonian'smuseums and zoo. Theyaddress what toexpect, museum rules and routines, safety information, and more. Social narratives and pre-visitvideos can be found on the Pre-Visit Resources page.
As an accessibility expert with a deep understanding of inclusive practices in cultural institutions, I can attest to the Smithsonian Institution's commitment to making their museums and the National Zoo accessible to all visitors. My expertise in accessibility measures spans various domains, from assistive technologies to sensory experiences, allowing me to provide comprehensive insights into the concepts mentioned in the provided article.
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Manual Wheelchair Accessibility:
- The Smithsonian Institution offers manual wheelchairs at no cost on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Personal mobility devices are also welcome in Smithsonian museums.
-
Access Services for Public Programs:
- Real-time captioning and sign language interpretation are available for public programs.
- These services can be arranged by contacting the museum hosting the program in advance or by emailing Access@si.edu.
-
Captioning and Assistive Listening Devices:
- Open captioning is provided on all museum exhibition videos.
- Assistive listening devices are available at all Smithsonian museums.
-
Tactile and Visual Description Tours:
- Tactile and visual description tours can be arranged by contacting the museums or by emailing Access@si.edu.
- Tactile elements are present throughout many Smithsonian museums.
-
Accessible Guides and Maps:
- The Smithsonian Institution guide and map are available in braille and large print at each museum's information desk.
-
Aira Access Mobile Information Service:
- Aira Access, a 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, connect to the museum's Wi-Fi, and use the app to speak to an Aira agent using minutes provided courtesy of the Smithsonian.
-
Bathroom Accessibility:
- Bathrooms are located throughout Smithsonian museums, all equipped with accessible stalls.
- Some museums have Family/Companion Care restrooms.
-
IMAX Movies Accessibility:
- IMAX movies shown during museum hours have assistive listening devices, audio-description, and rear-window captioning.
-
General Museum Tips:
- Visitors should go through security screening at the entrance, including bag checks and metal detector walkthroughs.
- Some exhibits may be loud on busy days; visitors can bring noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs.
- Automatic flush toilets, sinks, and hand dryers are present in most museum bathrooms.
-
Social Narratives and Pre-Visit Videos:
- Social narratives and pre-visit videos are available to help visitors prepare for their Smithsonian experience, addressing expectations, rules, safety, and more.
-
Pre-Visit Resources:
- Additional pre-visit resources, including social narratives and videos, can be found on the Pre-Visit Resources page.
The Smithsonian Institution's dedication to accessibility is evident in its multifaceted approach, encompassing physical accommodations, technological solutions, and informative resources to ensure an inclusive and enriching experience for all visitors.
