Amenities

Services for People with Disabilities

This information provides a brief summary of the services offered by The Children's Museum of Indianapolis to people with disabilities. If you have specific questions related to any of these services, please contact the Concierge on Level 1 near the ramp, or call 317-334-4000 or 800-820-6214 if you are outside of Indianapolis. If you have questions during your visit, look for staff members wearing white name badges. They will be happy to assist you.

Barrier Free Access

Most areas of the museum are barrier free. However, some areas cannot be altered to be more accessible without damaging the historic nature or natural habitat of certain artifacts like the tool car in All Aboard!

Emergency (Red) Phones

Red emergency phones are located throughout the museum, including on the north and south sides of the ramp that wraps around the Chihuly Fireworks of Glass sculpture. Additional red phones are located near the elevator in Dinosphere on the second floor in the Sunburst Atrium. In the event of an emergency, simply pick up the handset and the phone will auto-dial our security staff who will assist you with your needs.

First Aid Assistance/Room

If you are in need of medical or first aid assistance during your visit, please contact the nearest staff member or use a red emergency phone to contact museum security.

Storage for medical equipment and medications is available in the museum’s First Aid Room. This room is also available for visitors requiring a private space for administering medical treatment. Please go to the Concierge Desk for additional assistance.

Food Services

Visitors with special food needs can review nutrition and ingredient listings by contacting any staff member in the Food Court.

Hearing Impaired Services

Available services are outlined below. Please go to the Concierge Desk for additional assistance.

1. Assisted Listening Devices—Assisted Listening Devices are available daily on a first-come, first-served basis for performances in the Lilly Theater and SpaceQuest® Planetarium . Please notify a member of our theater staff if you would like to use this equipment and they will provide it at that time. In the rare event all devices are in use, our staff will work with you to find an alternative performance. If you are planning a group visit, please contact our Group Reservation Specialist at 317-334-4000 or 800-820-6214.
2. American Sign Language (ASL) designated Lilly Theater Performances—Throughout the year, ASL interpreters are provided for specifically designated public and school performances which are listed on all published Lilly Theater schedules and on the museum website. Upon your arrival at Lilly Theater, please notify our theater staff of any needs and they will direct you to appropriate seating.
3. TDD Phone Equipment—Hearing impaired customers calling outside the museum from a TDD phone line may access our Customer Service Center directly by calling 920-2020. This number is listed in the phone book.

Medical Equipment / Medication Storage

The Concierge on Level 1 can coordinate this service for visitors. Request assistance from a staff member for further instructions.

Mobility Impaired Services

• Doors—Accessible devices are installed on the south sets of doors at the main museum entrance, the doors at the security check-in entrance on the north side of the museum, and the doors at the school group entrance on the north side of the museum. These doors will open automatically by pushing the square blue button located adjacent to the door.
• Drinking Fountains—Accessible fountains are located on the following levels of the museum:
  • Lower Level – next to the Family Restrooms at the Dinosphere exit and in the restroom hallway near the east elevators
  • Level One – in the Welcome Center, Sunburst Atrium and in the restroom hallway near the east elevators
  • Level Two – between the two Family Restrooms
  • Level Three – in the restroom hallway near the east elevators
  • Level Four – in the restroom hallway near the east elevators
• Elevators—Public elevators are available for use and may be accessed on every level of the museum. In the Welcome Center, an elevator is located next to the InfoZone entrance. On Level One, you will find two elevators just past the Water Clock and two more just before the restroom hallway. An additional elevator is located within Dinosphere and connects the three levels of that gallery.
• Wheelchairs—Adult and youth-sized wheelchairs are available at no charge and may be checked out from the Coat Check located in the Welcome Center at the bottom of the ramp. Chairs may be reserved 24 hours in advance through our Customer Service Center by calling 334-4000 or 800-820-6214. All day-of requests are subject to availability. For additional assistance with mobility-related issues, please see “Barrier-Free Access” above.
• Queuing—Queuing areas throughout the museum are at least 42 inches in width to meet standard ADA requirements. If you have difficulty negotiating a queuing space while visiting the museum, please seek assistance from the nearest staff member.
• Wheelchair Seating—Wheelchair seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis for all Lilly Theater and SpaceQuest® Planetarium performances. Upon your arrival to a show, please notify a member of our theater staff of your needs and they will assist you in finding the best seating location. In the rare event all spaces are in use, our staff will work with you to find an alternative performance. If you are planning a group visit, please contact our Group Reservation Specialist at 317-334-4000 or 800-820-6214. (You also are welcome to transfer from your wheelchair to an aisle seat if you prefer. Please ask our theater staff of the best location to park your wheelchair during the show.)
• Carousel Accessibility—The museum’s largest gallery artifact, our 1911 Carousel, is located on Level Four and is wheelchair accessible. Upon your arrival to the Carousel Wishes and Dreams exhibit, please notify a staff member of your needs and they will assist you. Carousel rides cost $1.00 each for visitors age two and above. You may purchase your tickets at the museum Box Office or Concierge Desk.
• Golf carts—Golf carts are also available to transport visitors to and from their vehicles. Contact any parking lot staff member or the Welcome Center greeter for this service.

Parking Accessibility

There are 47 designated handicapped spaces in the free parking garage located on the west side of Illinois Street just across from the museum. A skywalk connects the garage to the museum’s Welcome Center. There also are 25 designated handicapped spaces in the museum’s free parking lot located on the east side of Illinois Street just north of the museum. Our visitor relations and security staff is available to assist you if needed upon your arrival.

Ramp

A large ramp circles around the Chihuly Fireworks of Glass sculpture, connecting all five levels. The ramp is available and convenient for wheelchair use. Four elevators also are accessible on each level – please see the Elevators section above.

Restrooms/Family (Unisex) Restrooms

Restrooms are located in our Welcome Center, Sunburst Atrium and every level of the museum. Larger, wheelchair-accessible stalls with handrails are located in all public men’s and women’s restrooms.

Three sets of family (unisex) restrooms are located in the museum and are available for those individuals requiring assistance from a family member or companion. One set is located in the Welcome Center. Another set is located on Level Two by the entrance to the Take Me There exhibit. A third set is located on the Lower Level at the exit of Dinosphere adjacent to All Aboard!

Service Animals

The Children's Museum recognizes the right of people with disabilities to be accompanied by their service animals or animals in training to be service animals on Museum property. People with service animals or animals in training to be service animals will be allowed full access to all areas. Service animals or animals in training to be service animals must be on a leash and must be in the control of the person with a disability or his/her companion.

Store - Personal Shopper

Any of our Children’s Museum Store staff members are available to provide assistance if you should need it while shopping in our store. For assistance purchasing store merchandise from home, please contact our Museum Store Personal Shopper directly at 317-334-3219 or 800-820-6214 ext. 3219.

Visually Impaired Services

Braille signage is located throughout the museum indicating floor levels, elevators, and restrooms.

Project SafePlace

The museum is a participating facility for Project SafePlace. Youth seeking assistance should contact any staff member.

Please know that we strive to not only comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, but to also offer additional products and accommodations which will maximize your mobility, enhance your enjoyment of our shows and programs, and ensure that your entire visit will be comfortable, convenient, and fun!

As the number one tourist destination in Indiana, we are proud to offer all our visitors outstanding amenities and excellent customer service. If you have any questions or are in need of assistance during your visit, please visit our Concierge Desk located on Level One just past the Sunburst Atrium. For visit planning in advance of your arrival, you may email our Concierge team at Concierge-Staff@ChildrensMuseum.org. We welcome your feedback on your experiences with us – feel free to contact us with your comments and suggestions on ways we may better serve you in the future.

If you have any questions or concerns about the accessibility services and accommodations described below, please do not hesitate to contact Brian Statz, the museum’s Vice-President of Operations and Section 504 Coordinator, at 317-334-4159 or brians@childrensmuseum.org, who will ensure your questions and concerns are addressed promptly.