Accessibility
The 9/11 Memorial & Museum is committed to ensuring access for all visitors and seeks to provide an equal opportunity for every individual to take part in our mission. We invite you to visit. Here is some information to help you plan.
We have resources for:
Visiting the Memorial
Accessible Entrance to the Memorial
There are several accessible entrances to the Memorial. They are identified with the following symbol on the map:
Wheelchairs, mechanized scooters, other power-driven mobility devices, walkers, and strollers are accommodated at the 9/11 Memorial.
Service Animals
Service animals are welcome at the Memorial.
Memorial Design
The 9/11 Memorial names parapets are specially designed with chamfered corners so that a seated person or a person of short stature may experience the same view of the inner Memorial voids as a person experiencing the view from a higher vantage point. The design of the Memorial is based on the concept that the bottom of the central void of each pool cannot be seen by the visitor, which creates a sense of water flowing eternally without ever filling up the pools. Visitors are not intended to see all the way into the interior of the central void, as the voids of the pools are meant to symbolize the enormity of loss suffered on 9/11—a loss that can never be filled.
The design of the bronze names parapets surrounding the twin Memorial pools allows visitors to experience the names of the victims by touching the contours of the letters. Affiliations featured on the Memorial, such as company or flight names, are embossed, while the names of individual victims are cut out of the bronze.
Visiting the Museum
When to Visit
The Museum has health and safety measures in place and ongoing operational changes to ensure a safe Museum experience. Plan your visit today.
Care Partners
We offer free admission for one accompanying care partner. To request a ticket for your care partner after you have purchased your admission ticket, please contact the Access Department by sending an email to access@911memorial.org.
Service Animals
Service animals are welcome inside the Museum.
Entrance and Navigation
The single entrance to the Museum is accessible. On all levels inside the Museum, elevators and escalators are offered throughout the space wherever stairs are available.
All entrances and public areas of the Museum—including the exhibitions and the Museum Store—are wheelchair accessible.
Visitors with disabilities may use mobility devices, including manual and electric wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and manually powered mobility aids such as walkers, crutches, and canes in all areas open to the public.
Ramp
There is a ramp that leads to the overlook, just past the Information Desk in the Concourse Lobby. For easier navigation, we recommend that you travel down on the right side of the ramp. Alternatively, you may reach the lower levels by taking the elevator in the Concourse Lobby.
Museum Security Screening
All visitors and baggage are subject to security screening, including any personal mobility devices.
Temperature
The temperature of the Museum is between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit (20 and 22 degrees Celsius). You may want to bring a jacket or sweater to stay warm during your visit.
Restrooms
All public restrooms have wheelchair-accessible stalls.
Museum Seating
There is limited seating throughout the Museum. Benches are available in the Concourse Lobby, on the Ramp, in Memorial Hall, Foundation Hall, and within the memorial and historical exhibitions.
Quiet Space
If you need a quiet space in the Museum, you can ask a security guard or a staff member wearing a tan or blue vest to lead you to the Reflecting on 9/11 Studio, which is our designated quiet space.
Online and On-Site Accessibility Resources
Wheelchair and Wheeled Walker Availability
Standard manual wheelchairs and wheeled walkers are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. Please ask one of our uniformed staff members for assistance. Wheelchairs are provided solely for use in the Museum. Note: You may reserve a wheelchair if you already have purchased tickets to participate in one of the 9/11 Memorial Museum guided tours. To reserve, please email: access@911memorial.org to place a request.
Assistive Listening System
Induction loops that transmit sound directly to visitors with T-coil compatible hearing aids and cochlear implants are installed throughout the Museum wherever there is audio.
Captioning and Transcripts
Open captioning or transcripts are available for all exhibition media installations that feature audio. For audio that accompanies video, open captioning is provided on the screen. For audio without video, captions are provided nearby on a printed label, transcript card, projection, or monitor.
Audio Description
The audio guide includes an audio description tour, which allows visitors who are blind or partially sighted to independently explore the Museum through vivid and detailed descriptions of the Museum’s exhibitions. The 9/11 Museum audio guide is VoiceOver compatible on all iOS devices, including devices offered by the Museum. The devices are available at the Information Desk in the Museum Concourse Lobby.
American Sign Language
An American Sign Language video tour is available with our audio guide. This tour provides an overview of the events of 9/11 and its aftermath, as told through personal stories from families of 9/11 victims, survivors, first responders, and others. The devices are available at the Information Desk in the Museum Concourse Lobby.
Services Available by Request
Sign Language Interpretation
American Sign Language interpretation is available free of charge for guided tours and public programs or events by request with two weeks’ notice.
If you would like International Sign or other sign language interpretation, we will do our best to arrange it. Please make a request with three weeks’ notice. Please email access@911memorial.org to place a request.
Real-Time Captioning
Real-time captioning is available for public programs and events with three weeks’ notice. Please email, access@911memorial.org to place a request.
Verbal Description Guided Tours
Guided verbal description tours at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum are also available upon request with three weeks’ notice. To make a request for a guided verbal description tour, please email, access@911memorial.org to place a request.
Readers
Staff is available throughout the Museum to assist visitors in navigating the touchscreen interactive exhibits. You can visit the Information Desk to request that a visitor service host in a blue blazer assist and escort you to the interactive touchscreen.
Sighted Guide
With advanced request, sighted guides are available to assist visitors in navigating Museum space. Please email, access@911memorial.org to place a request.
Outdoor Memorial Audio Guides
Explore the Memorial with our audio guides, featuring a 40-minute tour about the events of 9/11, the victims of the attacks, and the design of the Memorial. Available for rent during your visit. Learn more.
Visiting 911memorial.org
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum is committed to ensuring that this website, www.911memorial.org, is accessible to the widest possible audience. Visit our website accessibility page to learn more. Please contact us with any questions or concerns about accessibility regarding www.911memorial.org by emailing, webaccessibility@911memorial.org.