Accessibility initiatives at Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center are generously supported by Gerald and Olivia Shapiro.
We want each visitor to have a memorable experience at our Museum and we are committed to making our programs, exhibitions, and facilities accessible for everyone by removing accessibility barriers, delivering a welcoming and relevant experience, and providing opportunities for meaningful engagement.
For questions or feedback regarding accessibility, please contact info@ilhmec.org or 847.967.4800.
FIND INFORMATION ABOUT:
Where to get help at the Museum
Public Transportation, Paratransit, & Rideshare Information
Wheelchairs & Personal Mobility Devices
Where to get help at the Museum
If you have a question, concern, or need while visiting the Museum, you can get assistance by finding a nearby volunteer or security team member.
Visual & Auditory Supports
Field trips and group tours that need audio amplification on docent-led tours can reserve headsets and audio devices in advance. ASL interpreters can be hired for Group Tours – please inform GroupTours@ilhmec.org of your interest when booking your tour.
Public Transportation, Paratransit, & Rideshare Information
Illinois Holocaust Museum is accessible from a number of public-transportation options. To learn more about accessibility information, visit Chicago Transit Authority’s accessibility page.
For general information on parking, hours, and public transportation, visit our Plan Your Visit page.
Wheelchairs & Personal Mobility Devices
Wheelchairs and personal mobility devices are welcome at the Museum. There are three manually operated wheelchairs and one walker available for visitors to use at no cost on a first-come, first-served basis – no reservation required. These are located in the coat room on the ground floor. Please note that Museum staff and volunteers are not permitted to push visitors in wheelchairs.
Use caution at all times when operating electronic mobility devices, wheelchairs, walkers, support canes, forearm-crutches, handle-crutches, strollers, etc.
Bathrooms & Rest Areas
All bathrooms in the Museum are fully accessible. Toilets flush automatically and sinks & soap dispensers are motion-activated. Paper towels are available for hand-drying.
Two all-gender/single-occupancy bathrooms are available.
Sensory Information
The Museum is typically busiest in the morning hours. If you prefer to avoid crowds, we recommend arriving after 12 pm. Exhibitions and gallery spaces in the Museum can become chilly. Visitors may hold their coats, jackets, etc. free of charge at our coat check, located on the second floor.
To help visitors feel secure and comfortable in the Museum’s various environments, “Sensory Backpacks” are available to all visitors. These backpacks are free of charge and can be checked out at the Information Desk. Backpacks contain:
- Drawn Good coloring book with coloring pencils
- Plushie (pickle, grilled cheese, bagel)
- Remembrance coin
- Emotions fan
- Noise reduction headsets
Service Animals
In accordance with the ADA, service animals* are welcome at the Museum, along with service animals-in-training with a handler/trainer presuming they have met the requirements outlined in the Illinois Service Animal Access Act, Illinois Guide Dog Access Act, and Illinois White Cane Law.
- Service animals must be on duty and serving in their official capacity and under the control of a handler at all times.
- The owner of the service animal is solely responsible for its care and supervision.
- Under the ADA, service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices.
There are no specifically designated relief areas for service animals at the Museum.
*According to the ADA, a service animal is defined by the ADA as “a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability.” Pets, therapy animals, and emotional support animals are not considered service animals under the ADA and therefore are not permitted at the Museum.
Public Programs & Events
American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and cart writers will be included for select programs & events and will be noted when available.
The Museum will offer a virtual option for programs & events when possible.
Gift Shop
Legacy Shop staff are available for reaching, reading, describing, or otherwise assisting during your visit.
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