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Accessibility

Wheelchair at the Statue of Liberty. NPS Photo

The National Park Service Welcomes All Visitors

The National Park Service wants your visit to be memorable for all the right reasons. Visiting any museum or park can be taxing as well as exciting. Visitors are urged to place health and safety first, both for yourself and your companions. Bring any medication, food, water, or equipment that you may need with you. Take the time to enjoy the park safely.

Transportation to Departure Points
Visitors taking mass transportation to the ferry departure point should consult the proper agency regarding accessibility. For directions and transportation options, please reference the Plan Your Visit section.

 

Required Security Screening
All visitors are required to pass through a required security screening before boarding any ferry. The security screening spaces are accessible. Please reference the Safety and Security section for further information.

 

Guide/Assistance Animals at Liberty and Ellis Island
While regular pets are not allowed on either Ellis or Liberty Islands, including the ferry boats, guide and assistance animals are welcome. See Accessibility Information for Ellis Island.

 

Ferry Transportation
Statue Cruises personnel provide assistance on the ferry gangways. Ferries have enclosed cabins on the main deck and outdoor spaces near the rear or above the main deck. Any deck above the main requires the use of stairs. Priority seating is available near the entrance of the enclosed main deck cabin. Restrooms aboard ferries are not handicapped accessible.

 

Wheelchair Accessibility Services
The information center, gift pavilion, bookstore, dining facilities and exterior grounds are wheelchair accessible. For those with reservations to enter the monument, wheelchair access is provided by several elevators to the museum, the exterior of Fort Wood, and to the top of the pedestal. The outdoor observation deck balcony is not wheelchair accessible, but visitors still have access to the New York City skyline view. 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 another form of identification at the information desk.

 

Audio Accessibility Services

 

All video presentations with audio are open captioned for your convenience.

 

All video programs with sound and ambient audio exhibit programs are induction looped and compatible with t-coil enabled hearing aides and cochlear implants.

 

American Sign Language interpretation tours may be arranged prior to your visit. If you wish to arrange for an ASL tour, notification in writing is required at least three (3) weeks prior to your visit. Please contact us by sending an e-mail or a letter.

 

Visual Accessibility Services

 

Audio descriptive tours created specifically for the blind and visually-impaired are available free of charge from the Antenna Audio pavilion located near the Liberty Island Information Center.

 

Our park brochure audio described text for the Statue of Liberty National Monument is available as a word document.

 

For those with reservations to enter the monument, several tactile models of the Statue and Liberty Island are located in the Statue lobby and exhibit areas.

 

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. (i.e. medicine, food, water etc).

 

Further Information and Requests
For information about programs, services, activities and requests regarding accommodations for persons with disabilities: please contact the park in writing or by e-mail, at least twenty one (21) days in advance of your intended visit. Phone: [phone]. Deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors can also utilize the services of NY/NJ relay at 711.