Accessibility offerings
We are committed to offering an inclusive visitor experience for all our guests. Below is a list of accessibility accommodations in our space and our Discovery Center experience guide created for new visitors and visitors with accessibility needs. We continually work to enhance and expand our offerings and welcome feedback along the way.
Please email us with accessibility requests before your visit, questions, or suggestions.
When to visit
For visitors looking for a quieter gallery experience, come to the Discovery Center in the morning or at mid-day. In general, the summer months are busiest with lower visitation from October through May. For questions about how crowded our space is likely to be on a specific date you are considering visiting, please email us.
Mobility
- Ramp access throughout the Discovery Center
- Push-button door access at the main entrance and restrooms
- Wheelchair-accessible, single-user restroom on-site
- Two wheelchairs available
- Portable stools are available throughout the galleries
- Drop-off area on Fifth Avenue next to the Discovery Center (in front of the Gates Foundation main entrance)
Vision
- Interactive, hands-on exhibits
- Interpretive staff available to demonstrate, describe, and answer questions
- Large-print, high-contrast handouts with exhibit text
Hearing
- Hearing assistance devices available for our theater videos
- ASL interpreters upon request for group tours, school experiences, and public programs
- Captioning in permanent exhibit videos
Language
- Primary exhibit text available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, and Spanish
- Spanish-speaking staff on-site (subject to availability)
Events and public programs
Please request any special accommodations when you register for an event or program. We appreciate two weeks of advance notice.
Special exhibitions
We often feature traveling exhibits from other organizations and museums, and they typically include accessibility accommodations similar to our own.
Ideas or questions?
Have ideas for improving our accessibility accommodations or questions about our offerings? Contact us via email at [email protected].
Accessible Tours & Programs
Stories You Can Feel: Tactile Tour
Saturday, March 29, 2025 | 10 – 11 am PST
Discovery Center
The tactile tour used objects that visitors can touch. Staff are trained in visual descriptions and have basic sighted guide training.
Low Sensory Input Morning
Saturday, April 12, 2025 | 10 – 11 am PST
Discovery Center
Low sensory input mornings take place during the first hour and a half that the Discovery Center is open on select Saturdays. The space is fully open to the public during these times. The Discovery Center is mostly lit by natural light through a bank of windows, but during these low sensory mornings, the gallery lighting is lowered, videos operate with captions, and the audio is turned off.
Signs for Innovation: An ASL Tour
Saturday, May 3, 2025 | 10 – 11 am PST
Discovery Center
The ASL tour will be led by a Discovery Center educator and interpreted in American Sign Language by a certified professional interpreter. Visitors are welcome to ask questions throughout the tour.
Reading on the Go: Live Captioned Tour
Saturday, May 17, 2025 | 10 – 11 am PST
Discovery Center
The live captioned tour will be led by a Discovery Center educator and transcribed in real time by a captioner. Visitors will be able to access the transcription via their own device or borrow one from the front desk.
