Accessibility at Oak Ridge

A wounded veteran speaks to Oak Ridge workers in December 1944.

US DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY/ED WESTCOTT

Park Facilities and Community Sites

Most park facilities are on land that is owned and operated by the US Department of Energy and are located on secure Department of Energy Sites. There is limited public access, mostly via seasonal guided tours. There are also some park facilities located in the communities surrounding these sites that are owned and operated by private organizations. As you plan your visit to Oak Ridge, please contact individual points of interest directly for information on accessibility, hours of operation, and fees.

Oak Ridge Visitor Center

The Oak Ridge Visitor Center, located within the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge, is wheelchair accessible. For additional information on accessibility, please contact the museum at 865-482-1074.

Service Animals

Service animals are not subject to the park's pet policies and, when accompanying an individual with a disability, they are allowed wherever park visitors are allowed. A service animal means any dog or miniature horse that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.

In accordance with the NPS policy, service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered while in public places unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the person’s disability prevents use of these devices. In those cases, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective means.

More information about the National Park Service service animal policy is available on the Service Animals in National Parks webpage.

Park Film

The park film is available for viewing in the visitor center and includes open captions.

Oak Ridge Junior Ranger Book

The Oak Ridge Junior Ranger book is available online and can be read with a screen reader.

Department of Energy Guided Tours

The Department of Energy’s guided tours of Manhattan Project sites in Oak Ridge are wheelchair accessible. Requests for wheelchair access must be made two days in advance. For more information on wheelchair accessibility on guided tours, please visit the American Museum of Science & Energy’s bus tour page or call 865-294-4517.

NPS App

Some of the places featured on the NPS app include audio descriptions that provide a detailed verbal description of important Manhattan Project sites, making these places accessible to those with visual impairments.

Waysides around Oak Ridge

Several waysides throughout Oak Ridge tell the story of the Manhattan Project. The full text and a description of each wayside is provided.

Access Pass

The Access Pass is a free, lifetime pass available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States that have been medically determined to have a permanent disability (does not have to be a 100% disability). This pass provides admittance to more than 2,000 recreation sites managed by five Federal agencies. Manhattan Project National Historical Park does not issue passes. Learn more about how to obtain the Access Pass.