Accessibility
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The Natural History Museum of Utah is committed to providing inclusive experiences for all audiences, and we are pleased to offer the following resources and services. Please contact us for assistance planning your visit or if you have any questions.
Museum staff and volunteers strive to provide the best possible experience for all our guests, and we welcome all feedback. If you have questions, concerns, or compliments regarding accessibility during your visit to the Museum, please share them here.
The University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities through the Office of Equal Opportunity. If you would like to request an accommodation, you can submit a request to the OEO or contact them by phone at (801) 581-8365 or by email at oeo@utah.edu.
Planning Your Museum Visit
Reserve Tickets
The Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. On Wednesdays, we are open until 9 p.m. Guests are encouraged to purchase tickets online to expedite entry by receiving tickets in advance via email. If guests wish to apply a discount to their ticket purchase, they must do so at the Museum's admission desk.
Driving Directions, Public Transit, and Parking
For information on driving directions, public transit, and parking, visit the Museum's directions page.
Utah Transit Authority Accessible Services
To learn about the Utah Transit Authority's accessible services, visit the UTA's Accessibility page. To learn about the UTA's paratransit service, visit the UTA's Paratransit Service page.
Personal Care Assistant
The Museum will provide free admission for a personal care assistant who is accompanying a guest with a disability.
Quieter Museum Hours
If you wish to visit the Museum during a quieter time, the following days and times are less busy: Monday through Thursday after 1:30 p.m. and Wednesday evenings between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Accessible Parking & Passenger Drop-off Area
Accessible parking is available on the east side of the main parking lot, and a passenger drop-off area is located in the turnaround, which is located on the north side of the building.
Accessible Entrances
All Museum entrances are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. The turnaround also has a passenger drop-off area.
Social Stories
We welcome students and families with children and adults on the autism spectrum. To help prepare for your visit, download the Social Story about what to expect while visiting the Museum.
Additional Museum Policies
For additional information about museum policies, visit Guest & Safety Policies page.
Resources
Service Animals
The Natural History Museum of Utah allows service animals, that is, animals trained to perform specific tasks for an individual with a disability, into all the museum's public areas. If safety concerns prevent a service animal from entering a collection or laboratory space, Museum staff will work with Museum guests and guest researchers to provide reasonable accommodation.
Wheelchairs
Wheelchairs are available for guests to borrow at no cost on a first-come, first-served basis. You may check out a wheelchair at the Welcome Desk on Level 1. Please note there is no ramp between levels 4 and 5, and guests using a wheelchair must take the elevator.
Aira Access
Aira is a visual interpreting service that provides access to trained agents for people who are blind or have low vision. This service is available at the museum for free through the Aira app, which can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. To use Aira:
- Open the app and register your phone number.
- Select Sign in with Phone Number or Sign in with email. 3. Enter the four-digit code sent via text or email.
- Accept the terms and enable access to GPS, camera, and microphone.
- Tap Call an Aira Agent.
Sensory Bags
Each sensory backpack is filled with objects representing Utah's natural world and the collections of NHMU. Designed for blind/low-vision visitors, this backpack provides a self-guided tactile tour through our permanent exhibition. You may check a backpack out, free of charge, from the Information Desk on Level 2. (Pending availability, we recommend reaching out a few days prior to your visit.) Read more about sensory bags.
Insider Stories: An Audio Tour of NHMU
Insider Stories is your personal guide to the Natural History Museum of Utah, bringing you in-depth museum stories directly from NHMU scientists, Indigenous culture keepers, and some special guests. Featuring 29 stops throughout the Museum's permanent galleries, this curated audio guide will enhance your museum experience by giving you time with the experts. Deepen your understanding by hearing stories about objects on display and heighten your exploration with information about the natural world.
The following languages are available for Insider Stories:
- Descriptive English for guests with low vision
- English
- French
- German
- Japanese
- Korean
- Spanish
- Mandarin
Ask for your Insider Stories Audio Tour at the Information Desk on Level 2.
Spanish Language Resources
Museum maps are available in Spanish. To learn more, visit the Museum’s exhibitions page.
Accessibility Tools
Guests can borrow noise-canceling headphones and light-sensitivity glasses free of charge from the Information Desk on Level 2.
Navigating the Museum
Restrooms
Restrooms are located on every floor of the Museum. Wheelchair-accessible restrooms are located on every floor. All-gender restrooms are located on levels 1, 2, 3, and 5. All-gender restrooms provide access to safe bathrooms and changing areas for people of any gender identity and presentation. They also provide safe spaces for those who need the assistance of a Personal Care Attendant or those with small children.
Infant Care Room
An Infant Care Room, furnished with an armchair, sink, changing table, and electrical outlet, is located on level 2 next to the museum café.
Drinking Fountains
Wheelchair-accessible drinking fountains are located near restrooms and elevators on levels 1, 2, 3, and 5.
Dining
The museum’s Canyon Café is located on level 2. It is open to museum visitors and the general public and offers a full espresso bar, hot and cold drinks, and sweet and savory menu items. The café is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and museum admission is not required. All dining areas are wheelchair accessible.
First Aid
First aid response and equipment are handled by museum security. Should first aid help be required, speak to a museum staff member.
Requesting Accommodations
The Museum endeavors to provide its visitors with disabilities equal access to its facilities, programs, services, and activities. Reasonable notice to provide an accommodation may be required.
For guests who are blind or have low vision:
We can offer special tools for individuals and groups, including touchable specimens from the natural world. To request a Sensory Bag (self-guided experience) or special program, please contact Echo Paixao by email or phone at 801-587-5721 in advance of your visit. (We recommend reaching out 2-4 weeks prior to your visit.)
For guests who are Deaf or hard of hearing:
Transcripts or Closed Captions can sometimes be provided for virtual programs. Sign language Interpreters can be made available for visits, tours, public programs, or evening lectures. To request these accommodations, please contact Echo Paixao by email or by phone at 801-587/5721. Please be sure to specify the mode of communication required (e.g., for sign language: American Sign Language, Pidgin Sign Language, or Signed English). (We recommend reaching out 2-4 weeks prior to your visit.)
For guests who require Museum staff assistance:
Please use this form to contact our Guest & Member Experience Team if you have any other special needs. (We recommend reaching out 1-2 weeks before your visit.)
Contact Us
Museum staff and volunteers work to provide the best possible experience for all our guests, and we welcome the opportunity to receive your feedback. Please contact us with any concerns or feedback. Inquiries concerning discrimination may be referred to the University of Utah's Office of Equal Opportunity.
Nondiscrimination and Accessibility Statement
To learn more about the University of Utah's policies on nondiscrimination and accessibility, visit the University of Utah's Nondiscrimination and Accessibility Statement.