Directions & Parking | Show Locations | Accessability

Accessibility

Accessible Parking

There are designated accessible spaces in front of the major museums; however, these are standard curb spaces on the left side of one-way streets. There is also an accessible passenger loading zone in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center (Mall entrance). The closest parking garage with accessible spaces is Colonial Parking in Capital Gallery (6th and Maryland Avenue., SW).


Accommodation Services

If you would like to have a sign language, oral, or cued speech interpreter or Realtime captioning for a Discovery Theater program, please request at least two weeks in advance of the program you plan to attend. You may call us at 202-633-8700 or email DTinfo@si.edu; we will make every effort to secure the service you need.

If you will need other accommodations, such as audio description, reader services, alternative formats of publications, assistive listening systems, or any other services, please contact us at least two weeks before the event to let us know.


Loaner Wheelchairs, Scooters and Service Animals

The S. Dillon Ripley Center has wheelchairs that can be borrowed, free of charge, for use within the facility. The wheelchairs, which are all manually operated, cannot be taken outside of our building and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. To borrow a wheelchair, please go to the Security desk upon entering the Ripley Center. You will be asked to leave identification until you return the wheelchair.

Service animals and power scooters are allowed in all Smithsonian Museums. If you plan to attend a Discovery Theater program with a service animal, please notify us in advance, if possible.


Accessibility for Visitors

The Smithsonian strives to make all visitors feel welcome. For up-to-date information and accessibility features available at each museum, please visit: https://www.si.edu/visit/VisitorsWithDisabilities. For more information on accessibility policies and programs, call 202.633.2921 or email access@si.edu.