Accessibility
Museum Accommodations
As we are fully committed to creating an inclusive environment at the Bell, we are proud to offer the following services or resources.
For additional information or to request an accommodation, please contact the accessibility office at 612-625-4511 or bellaccess@umn.edu.
General Accessibility information
Free wheelchairs and walkers are available for use anytime during your visit to the museum.
If it is easier for you to visit a museum during quiet times, the best time to visit the Bell is on weekdays after 1 pm.
Working guide and service animals are always welcome at the Bell Museum. For the safety of service animals and our visitors, comfort animals are only allowed if they are needed to perform a task that will or could be needed during a visit to the museum.
Physical design amenities
Accessible parking spaces are available close to the main building entrance. There is also a drop off area near the main entrance (before entering the parking lot).
Bathrooms with accessible stalls can be found on both floors of the museum. On the main floor is a gender neutral bathroom that also has an adult lift table.
The planetarium offers a seating area for people using wheelchairs and size-inclusive seating options.
The museum also has a Quiet Room—a dedicated, single-use space available for families and individuals with sensory-sensitivities, for use as a lactation space as well as a private space for prayer or meditation.
Audio, visual and translation services
The Bell will schedule ASL interpreters as requested by visitors (contact the accessibility office at 612-625-4511 or bellaccess@umn.edu in advance). We will also offer monthly Planetarium shows and other events with ASL interpretation.
Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) are available for presentations, planetarium shows, and tours at the Bell Museum.
Open Captioning is available at most large events and upon request. We also offer captioned planetarium shows every month. Exhibition videos are captioned.
We offer monthly planetarium shows for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, which may include open captioning or a live American Sign Language interpreter.
Our website offers full-site translation and changeable font size/contrast settings—see the footer at the bottom of the page to adjust the settings to suit your needs.
The Bell will be piloting audio-described planetarium shows, touch tours, and an audio description app. If you’d like to be involved with testing these, please contact Emma Allen at eallen@umn.edu.
Alternative formats for print and electronic materials, including large print and braille, are available upon request.
Sensory-friendly resources
The quietest time to visit the museum is late afternoon, when we have fewer visitors and our space is generally uncrowded.
Visitors are welcome to check out additional resources like quiet spaces, visual timers, weighted lap pads, and hearing protection if it helps makes the visit more enjoyable.
You may also download our Social Narrative to prepare for your visit. (Note, this is currently not accurate with COVID-19 procedures. Check out this general social narrative from the Autism Society of Minnesota)
Reduced pricing
Curiosity Memberships and Museums for All admission: these discounted and free offerings increase access for qualifying visitors who participate in EBT, medical assistance programs like MinnesotaCare, Section 8 housing programs, WIC, Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability, free/reduced lunch programs, Refugee Cash Assistance programs and General Assistance programs
Free admission for PCAs. Admission fees are not charged for on duty personal care assistants who accompany their clients to the museum.
The Bell Museum is also proud to be a Blue Star Museum, offering free admission to active duty military and their families. See the Reduced Price Admission page for details.
Other
Our private events team is happy to connect you to approved caterers who can prepare food in accordance with religious dietary restrictions for special events.