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Contact Information
PO Box 37012 NMAH, Room 1050,
MRC 607 Washington, DC 20013
202/633-2921 (Voice)
Accessibility Program
Ashley Terrell-Rea, Program Specialist
Accessibility for Visitors with Disabilities
The Smithsonian Museums are accessible to individuals with disabilities. Some of the features include:
- Accessible facilities and at least one entrance that is accessible to visitors with limited mobility.
Accessibility Map (PDF) »
Parking map (PDF) » - Free manual wheelchair loans available at every museum in Washington, D.C., and the National Zoo on a first-come, first-served basis
Wheelchair and Scooter Rentals (PDF) » - Open captioning of exhibition videos. Audio description incorporated into some exhibitions
- Tactile elements included throughout the museums. Tactile and/or verbal description tours can be arranged by contacting a museum with two-weeks advance notice
- Sign language interpretation is available for scheduled tours by contacting the museum with two weeks advanced notice
- Access services can be arranged for public programs by contacting the museum in advance
- IMAX movies shown during regular museum hours of operation offer assistive listening devices, audio-description and rear-window captioning. IMAX Theatre and Planetarium Accessibility FAQ »
- Publications and brochures are available in alternate formats at the Information Desks in Braille and CD or at the Accessibility Program. Email the Accessibility Program for exhibition brochures in an alternative format.
Resources for Visitors with Cognitive and Sensory Processing Disabilities »
smithsonian information
Phone: 202.633.1000 (voice/tape)
e-mail: info@si.edu
Museum Information
African Art Museum
Tours for Visitors with Hearing or Vision Loss
By appointment only, 3-week notice required Call Mon.-Fri., 9 AM-5 PM, except federal holidays: 202.633.4633 or 202.357.4814 (TTY)
Note: FM Assistive Listening Devices are available to amplify tours for visitors with hearing loss; ask at info desk for details.
Bathrooms: Accessible bathroom is located on S3 in the Ripley Center next to the Discovery Theater box office. Family/companion care bathrooms are located next to the accessible bathroom on S3 in the Ripley Center next to the Discovery Theater Box office.
Air and Space Museum and Udvar-Hazy Center
Tours for Visitors with Hearing or Vision Loss
By appointment only; 2- to 3-week notice required; call Mon.-Fri., 9 AM-5 PM: 202.633.2563 or 202.633.1957 (fax), or e‑mail NASMTours@si.edu
The Udvar-Hazy Center can also accommodate groups needing wheelchairs. For more information, call 703.572.4118.
Raised Line Map and informational drawings of exhibition items with audio can be requested (Talking Tactile Pen/Map/Book) from the Udvar-Hazy Center information desk.
Learn more from the Air and Space Museum »
American Art Museum
Tours for Visitors with Hearing or Vision Loss
By appointment; 3-week notice required; call Mon.-Fri., 9 AM-5 PM, except federal holidays: 202.633.8550 or e‑mail AmericanArtTours@si.edu
Walk-in Art Signs American Sign Language tours are offered twice a month; visit the museum's website for details.
No tours are scheduled on federal holidays.
American History Museum
Tours for Visitors with Hearing or Vision Loss
Assistive listening devices for regularly scheduled Highlights Tours and Theater Programs are available upon request. Assistive listening equipment is made possible through a grant from the Smithsonian Women's Committee.
By appointment; 2-week notice required; call 202.633.3717 (recording/voice mail available 24 hours a day); 202.357.1563 (TTY)); e‑mail nmahtours@si.edu
Note: An interpreter translates for visitors who do not understand sign language.
Learn more about American History accessibility »
American Indian Museum
Tours for Visitors with Hearing or Vision Loss
By appointment only, 2-week notice required; call Mon.-Fri., 9 AM-6 PM, except federal holidays: 202.633.6644 (voice), 1.888.618.0572 (toll-free voice), or 202.633.6751 (TTY), or e‑mail NMAI-GroupReservations@si.edu
American Indian Museum Heye Center
Tours for Visitors with Hearing or Vision Loss
By appointment only, 2-weeBy appointment only, 2-week notice requested; call 212.514.3758 (voice), or e‑mail NMAI-NY@si.edu
Bathrooms: Accessible bathrooms are on the second floor in the west and east galleries.
Anacostia Community Museum
Tours for Visitors with Hearing Loss
By appointment only, 3-week notice required; call Mon.-Fri., 9 AM-5 PM, except federal holidays: 202.633.4844 or e‑mail parkers@si.edu
Freer and Sackler Galleries
Tours for Visitors with Hearing or Vision Loss
Tactile tours and sign-language interpreters are available by appointment only; 4-week written notice required; visit the museum’s website (indicate tactile tour or sign-language interpreter in the Additional Notes field). For more information, call 202.633.1012 or e‑mail asiatours@si.edu.
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Tours for Visitors with Hearing or Vision Loss
By appointment only, 2-week notice required; call Mon.-Fri., 9 AM-5 PM, except federal holidays: 202.633.2796 (voice) or e‑mail marucak@si.edu
Natural History Museum
Tours for Visitors with Hearing or Vision Loss
By appointment only, 2-week notice required; call Mon.-Fri., 9 AM-5 PM, except federal holidays: 202.633.3611 (voice) or e‑mail NaturalExperience@si.edu
Portrait Gallery
Tours for Visitors with Hearing or Vision Loss
By appointment; 1-month notice required)
Call Mon.-Thurs., 9:30 AM-5 PM, except federal holidays:
School Groups: 202.633.8503 (voice/answering machine) or e‑mail NPGEducation@si.edu
Non-School Groups and Individuals: 202.633.8519 (voice/answering machine) or e‑mail NPGAdultTours@si.edu
Postal Museum
Tours for Visitors with Hearing or Vision Loss
By appointment only, 3-week notice recommended; call Mon.-Fri., 9 AM-5 PM, except federal holidays: 202.633.5535 (voice) or 202.633.9849 (TTY)
Renwick Gallery
Tours for Visitors with Hearing or Vision Loss
By appointment; 3-week notice required; call Mon.-Fri., 9 AM-5 PM, except federal holidays: 202-633-8550 or e‑mail AmericanArtTours@si.edu
No tours are scheduled on federal holidays.
Note: The accessible entrance is on the 17th street side of the museum via a ramp.
Smithsonian Castle
Tours for Visitors with Hearing or Vision Loss
Groups of 10 or more, by aGroups of 10 or more, by appointment only, 3-week notice required; call Mon.-Fri., 9 AM-5 PM, except federal holidays: 202.633.2987 (voice) or e‑mail CastleTours@si.edu
