Accessibility

ACCESSIBILITY AT THE ART INSTITUTE

Persons with disabilities who would like to request an accessibility accommodation for an Art Institute program are encouraged to send an email to access@artic.edu as far in advance as possible.

Service animals are welcome at the museum

ACCESS TO THE MUSEUM

Michigan Avenue Entrance.

Ramp access is available, but drop-offs are not permitted because of heavy traffic. 

Modern Wing Entrance 159 East Monroe

Drop-offs are permitted at the traffic pullout from the east-bound lanes of Monroe. A small lounge inside the lobby offers a place for the handicapped visitor to wait while the driver parks the car in the public garage across the street. 

The following garage spaces offer accessible parking near the Art Institute. Please note that they do not accept oversized vans.

• Millennium Park Garage (enter at Columbus Drive and Monroe Street), with 6’ 8” clearance in some sections and an elevator at the exit

• East Monroe Street Garage (enter at Columbus Drive and Monroe Street), with 6’ 8” clearance and exit ramps at Monroe Street

• Grant Park North Garage (enter at Michigan Avenue between Madison and Randolph), with 6’ 6” clearance for vans and an elevator at the exit

The museum does not have public parking however we have valet parking during regular museum hours for $25. 

Inside the Museum

Elevators are located throughout the museum for access to all levels. A TDD/TYY–equipped phone is available for use in the Michigan Avenue lobby. All auditoriums are equipped with designated wheelchair areas.

Wheelchair Assistance

Manually operated wheelchairs are available free of charge at both of the museum’s checkrooms on a first-come, first-served basis. Members who would like assistance getting to and from member events using museum-owned wheelchairs may make an appointment at access@artic.edu two weeks in advance of their visit.

Mobility Devices

In order to ensure the safety of our visitors as well as the artwork, other types of mobility devices, including tricycles, carts, hoverboards, and Segways, are not permitted. If your mobility device is not permitted, the museum will provide a manually operated wheelchair free of charge, first-come, first-served, and will store any electric or battery-operated devices in a nonpublic area during your visit. Please note that the museum is unable to store devices with liquid fuel of any kind.

Elevators are located throughout the museum for access to all levels. A TDD/TYY–equipped phone is available for use in the Michigan Avenue lobby. All auditoriums are equipped with designated wheelchair areas.

Assistive Listening System

All auditoriums are equipped with an assistive listening system that includes t-coil compatibility. Devices are available free of charge in the back of each auditorium. Earpieces are provided, and each device supports a standard 3.5mm connection for personal headphones or adaptive devices.

Captioning

Open or closed captioning is offered at selected public lectures. To request captioning for a particular Art Institute program, please email access@artic.edu two weeks in advance of the event.

Assisted-Listening Devices

A limited number of assisted-listening devices are available at our public gallery talks.

For additional information, see our general Assistive Listening System direction sheet. If you are planning to attend an event in Fullerton Hall, use our Fullerton Hall sheet instead.

Audio Guide

The museum’s audio guides offer t-coil compatibility through an optional neckloop accessory. They are available free of charge to blind and low-vision visitors and one accompanying companion.

Printed transcripts of special exhibition audio guides are also available. Please inquire at the audio guide desk.

Art Institute Mobile App

The free Art Institute of Chicago Official Mobile App is available for iOS and Android. The app has general support for VoiceOver (iOS) and TalkBack (Android). The iOS app supports Bluetooth audio output for compatible hearing aids and other receivers. Download the iOS app via the Apple App Store and the Android app via the Google Play Store. Transcripts accompany most audio content. The Verbal Description Tour: The Essentials provides a way for blind or partially sighted visitors to experience highlights of the museum’s collection.