ACCESSIBILITY

GUESTS WHO ARE BLIND OR HAVE LOW VISION

Guided Tactile Tours are available for free to small groups visiting the Museum. Registration for tours is required at least two weeks prior to desired date.

Beacons provide independent wayfinding of the Nature Research Center via the BlindSquare Event iOS App. You can download the app to your Apple device by visiting the BlindSquare App in the iTunes Store.

Sighted Guides are available; please make requests no less than 72 hours in advance by emailing accessibility@naturalsciences.org.

GUESTS WITH AUTISM OR SENSORY PROCESSING DISORDERS

The Sensory Map identifies sensory-friendly spaces within the Museum.
Sensory Map (PDF)

Social Stories detail what to expect when visiting the Museum. They are available in both English and Español.

• Visiting the Museum Guide (PDF)
• Visiting the Museum, Younger Guide (PDF)
• Guía del museo para principiantes (PDF)
• Guía de museo (PDF)

Noise-Cancelling Headphones are available to checkout for free at both Information Desks.

Quiet Space is located on the first floor of the Nature Exploration Center.

Sensory-Friendly Events are held periodically for visitors to enjoy the Museum in a calmer, quieter atmosphere. The event features Museum scientists, live animals and their keepers, and a host of other sensory-friendly activities.

Check back soon for more information regarding our two upcoming 2024 Sensory-Friendly Events at the Museum!

GUESTS WHO ARE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING

Sign Language Interpretation for live presentations or programs is available upon request. Please make requests no less than 72 hours in advance for virtual programs and no less than one week prior to in-person events by emailing accessibility@naturalsciences.org.

Live captioning is available for all virtual programs, presentations, and classes upon request. Please email accessibility@naturalsciences.org at least 72 hours in advance with requests.

Assistive Listening Devices are available upon request for visitors attending live presentations or programs.

Movie Transcripts are available for showings in the WRAL 3D Theater for free from the Box Office.

MOBILITY

Wheelchairs are available for free at both Information Desks.

Automatic Doors are located at the entrances to the Nature Exploration Center and Nature Research Center. There are automatic doors on the second floor bridge that connects the two buildings. Visitors are cautioned there are currently no automatic doors on the third floor bridge that connects the two buildings.

Elevators operate between each level of the Nature Exploration Center and Nature Research Center.

Accessible Seating is available in the SECU Daily Planet Theater and WRAL 3D Theater for visitors using scooters or wheelchairs.

Accessible Restrooms are located in all public restrooms on every floor of the Nature Exploration Center and Nature Research Center.

VISITORS WITH YOUNG CHILDREN

Baby Changing Stations are located in all public and single-use restrooms in the Nature Exploration Center. In the Nature Research Center, they are located on the first, second, and third floor women’s public restrooms and first floor men’s public restroom.

Nursing Room is located on the first floor of the Nature Exploration Center.

PRIVATE RESTROOMS

Single-Use Restrooms are located on the first and third floors of the Nature Exploration Center.

Adult Changing Table is located on the 1st floor of the Nature Exploration Center.

SERVICE ANIMALS

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences welcomes service animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): a dog or miniature horse (or one in training) that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. Due to the presence of the Museum's animals, areas such as the Living Conservatory and Windows on the World are considered sensitive, and require extra caution for service animals. Pets, emotional support animals, comfort animals, or species other than a dog or miniature horse are not considered service animals under the ADA and are not allowed in the Museum.