Accessibility

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. For assistance planning your visit, specific questions, or feedback, please contact us by email or by phone at 801-581-6927. Guests using screen readers, please click here.

COVID-19 Update

Per CDC and local health department guidelines, we require a face covering for all visitors ages 2 and older. If you are unable to wear a cloth or disposable face covering due to health reasons, a looser-fitting scarf or face shield are acceptable alternatives. Please bring your own, as these will not be provided by the Museum. Each Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., the Museum is reserved for senior citizens and guests with compromised immunity.

Planning Your Museum Visit

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 UTA's accessible services visit UTA's Accessibility page, and to learn about UTA's paratransit service visit UTA's Paratransit Service page.

Accessible Parking & Passenger Drop-off Area

Accessible parking is available on the east side of the main parking lot and there is a passenger drop-off area located in the turnaround. The turnaround is located on the north side of the building.

Accessible Entrances

All Museum entrances are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. There is also a passenger drop-off area located in the turnaround.

Quieter Museum Hours

If you wish to visit the Museum during a quieter time, the following days and times tend to be less busy: Monday to Friday after 1:30 p.m., and Sundays.

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.

For Field Trip Students
For Non-Field Trip Visitors

Spanish Language Resources

Museum maps, Highlights Tours, and special exhibition are available in Spanish. To learn more visit the Museum’s exhibitions page.

Personal Care Assistant

The Museum will provide free admission for a paid Personal Care Assistant who is accompanying a guest with a disability.

Additional Museum Policies

For additional information about museum policies, visit Guest Services Information & Policies page.

Resources

Elevators

All areas of the Museum are accessible by elevator.

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 admission desk on level 1. (Please note there is no ramp between levels 4 and 5, and guests using a wheelchair must take the elevator.)

Gallery Seating

Permanent benches can be found throughout the galleries.

Strollers

COVID UPDATE: Stroller rental is currently unavailable. The Museum offers rental strollers for our guests. To check out a stroller, guests must leave a valid driver's license with the admission desk on level 1.

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 public areas of the Museum. In the rare case that safety concerns prevent a service animal from entering a collections or laboratory space, Museum staff will work with Museum guests and guest researchers to provide a reasonable accommodation.

Accessibility Tools

Noise canceling headphones and light sensitivity glasses are available for guests to borrow. You may check these items out from the admission desk on level 1.

Navigating the Museum

Restrooms

Restrooms are located on every floor of the Museum. Wheelchair accessible restrooms are located on every floor. Family restrooms/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.

Mother's Room

Mother's room/family restrooms are furnished with an armchair, sink, and changing table and are located on levels 3 and 5.

Drinking Fountains

COVID UPDATE: Drinking fountains on each level are currently unavailable - there is a water bottle filling station available on Level 2. Wheelchair accessible drinking fountains are located near restrooms and elevators on levels 1, 2, 3, and 5.

Dining

COVID UPDATE: The Museum Café is currently closed. The Museum Café menu changes daily to ensure a selection of the finest and freshest ingredients offered to our visitors. Our daily menu is carefully selected to emphasize healthful, local and organic ingredients including a selection of gluten free, vegan and vegetarian options. All dining areas are wheelchair accessible.

First Aid

First aid response and equipment is handled by museum security. Should first aid help be required, speak to a Museum staff member.

Hearing Assistance

The Museum provides closed captioning for most videos in the permanent exhibits. Also, participants of the Highlight Tour are provided with broadcasting devices and audio-induction loops upon request.

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 offer tours and special programming for both individuals and groups that include touchable specimens from the natural world. To request a tour or special programming, please contact Echo Paixao by email or by phone at 801-587-5721.

For guests who require a sign language interpreter:

Interpreters can be made available for tours, public programs, or evening lectures. To request an interpreter, 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).

For guests who require Museum staff assistance:

If you have any other special needs, please contact our guest services team by email or by phone at 801-587-5788.

Contact Us

Museum staff and volunteers work to provide the best possible experience for all our guests and we welcome the opportunity to receive feedback from you. Please contact us with any concerns or feedback by email. 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 accessibilty, visit the University of Utah's Nondiscrimination and Accessibilty Statement.