General Park Wheelchair/Handicapped-Accessibility Information
Ferries: Statue Cruises personnel provide assistance on the ferry gangways. Aboard the ferries, enclosed areas are available. Rest rooms aboard ferries are not handicapped accessible.
Guide/Assistance Animals at Ellis and Liberty Islands: While regular pets are not allowed on either Ellis or Liberty Islands, or on the ferry boats, guide and assistance animals are welcome.
Accessibility information at Liberty Island...
Wheelchair/Handicapped Accessibility at Ellis Island:
- The museum and exterior grounds are wheelchair-accessible.
- Tactile models of the island are located near the Information Desk.
- Large print brochures, in English, are available upon request.
- Information in Braille, about Ellis Island's history, may be borrowed at the Information Desk.
- Audio description tours specifically for blind and visually-impaired visitors are available from our audiio-tour concessionaire for a nominal fee.
- Elevators are located on both the east and west sides of the main building.
- The film, "Island of Hope, Island of Tears", is closed-captioned for hearing-impaired visitors.
- Video exhibitry, located in the main building, contains captioning.
- An assisted-listening induction loop device may also be borrowed at the Information Desk.
Wheelchair Availability at Liberty and Ellis Islands: A limited number of wheelchairs are available at both Liberty and Ellis Islands (on a first-come, first-served basis). They can be borrowed, free of charge, with the deposit of a driver's license or similar form of I.D., at the Information Desk/Center.
American Sign Language Translation: Ranger-guided tours are offered at Ellis Island with ASL - American Sign Language translation - at no charge to visitors. The tour departs from near the Information Desk at 11:00 AM. If you wish to arrange for an ASL Tour on another date, contact us by e-mail, at least three (3) weeks prior to your visit.
You can also contact us by utilizing the services of NY/NJ relay at 711.
Our Ellis Island ASL programs for the Summer and Fall of 2011 will take place on:
Saturday, August 13
Saturday, September 10
Emergency Medical Services: Available on both Liberty and Ellis Islands. Contact any National Park Service employee for assistance. Proper preparedness by those visiting the park with medical conditions can prevent emergencies from occurring. (ie. medicine, food, water etc).
For information about programs, services, activities and requests regarding accommodations for People with Disabilities, please contact the park, in writing, or by e-mail, at least twenty one (21) days in advance of your intended visit.
Write to: National Park Service, Statue of Liberty National Monument, Liberty Island, NY, NY. 10004. Attn: Superintendent
- Phone: 212 363-3200
- Deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors can also utilize the services of NY/NJ relay at 711.
Wheelchair/Handicapped-Accessible Parking to get to the ferry:
- Battery Park in Lower Manhattan: Official placards are required in order to park in designated public parking spaces available in New York City. The closest metered parking spaces to Battery Park are on Battery Place. Private parking lots are available as well. Handicapped accessible rest rooms are available in Castle Clinton National Monument and ferry ticket counters are handicapped-accessible.
Here is more information about handicapped parking in New York City, and to apply for a New York City Permit for handicapped parking.
- Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ: Private parking is available for a fee. Designated spots for those with official placards are available. There are level walkways to the ferry boarding area. Handicapped-accessible rest rooms are located at Liberty State Park.
