Visiting : Accessibility

The Museum connects visitors with disabilities to the world of art through a wide variety of unique Accessible Programs.

There is a designated barrier-free entrance and accessible parking for vehicles displaying the appropriate disability permits located on the upper level, Schuylkill River side of the building. This parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. There are also drop-off only spaces, allowing a driver to enter the upper-level parking area to drop a disabled passenger off at the Accessible Entrance and leave the upper level without paying the parking fees.

Wheelchairs are available free of charge, on a first-come, first-served basis, inside all entrances. All floors are accessible by elevator. The Museum is also equipped with accessible restrooms, drinking fountains and public telephones (including a TTY phone).

The Restaurant, Café, and Museum Store are barrier-free.

Assistive listening devices, including neck loops, are available for guided tours (ask your Tour Guide) and for programs in the Van Pelt Auditorium (ask at the Information Desk). Braille and large-print maps of the Museum are also available at Information Desks.

For information about other Braille and large-print materials, visual description (on guided tours for visitors who are blind or visually impaired), and Sign Language Interpreters, print scripts and open captioning (for visitors who are deaf or hard of hearing), or to arrange for Braille or large print materials to be created, please contact the Accessible Programs Office. Allow three weeks for arrangements to be completed.

Accessible Tours

Several tours are offered that take into consideration the characteristics of a wide variety of disabilities. These tours are led by specially trained Guides.

Form in Art

Studio classes are combined with the study of art history into a unique course for people who are blind.

Workshops

Geared toward individuals or groups with cognitive and communication disabilities, workshops include a one-hour tour of the Museum's permanent collections or a special exhibition, and a two-hour studio class.

Art Talk

With Art Talk, ten to fifteen participants are linked from their homes with a facilitator from the Museum via telephone for lively conversations about works of art.

Outreach

This program uses digitally illustrated presentations to take the Museum to groups of people who can no longer visit in person.

Sponsors

Accessible Programs are generously funded by the Women's Committee of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Betty Harbison Memorial Fund, the Independence Foundation, and the Joseph Kennard Skilling Trust.