About the Accessibility Program

The Accessibility Program supports the Smithsonian in making all visitors feel welcome by providing consistent, effortless access to the Institution’s programs, collections and facilities.

Responsibilities include:

• Advising on and implementing policy, practices, and procedures related to access for people with disabilities;
• Reviewing facility and exhibition designs;
• Providing technical assistance;
• Conducting outreach to the disability community and other cultural arts organizations;
• Providing staff education on disability topics; and
• Working with Smithsonian museums and offices to provide direct visitor services, including sign language interpretation, real time captioning, and alternate formats of publications.

Programs include:

Access to Opportunities

A paid internship program for young adults with disabilities. The goal of Access to Opportunities is to assist people with disabilities in their transition from school to adulthood to the world of work by providing internships at the Smithsonian that are tailored to interns’ areas of interest, and that will open the doors of knowledge and opportunity for these young people.

Morning at the Museum

A project of the Smithsonian Institution's Accessibility Program and the Smithsonian Museums. Guided by a Community Advisory Committee comprised of museum educators, exhibit designers, professionals who work with children on the Autism Spectrum, parents, and self-advocates, the Smithsonian has developed a series of pre-visit materials designed to help children on the spectrum and their families enjoy a visit to the Smithsonian Museums.

Art Signs: Gallery Talks in American Sign Language

Project SEARCH Smithsonian

For additional information on access services, please contact the Accessibility Program at (202) 633-2921 (voice) or email the Accessibility Program.