Accessibility

The Birmingham Museum of Art is committed to providing a welcoming and accessible space for all visitors.

For Visitors Who Use Mobility Equipment

The accessible entrance to the Museum is the parking lot entrance which is located off of Richard Arrington, Jr. Boulevard North, directly behind the Museum. Designated accessible parking spaces are available in the parking lot. We also have a wheelchair lift located at our main entrance on Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd. However, the main lobby entrance doors are not automated.

Visitors can request manual wheelchairs from security officers at both entrances. There are two elevators that allow access to all areas of the Museum. The parking lot can only be accessed from Elevator A. The Sculpture Garden can be accessed by pressing 1R in Elevator A. Wheelchair companion seating is available in Steiner Auditorium near the Auditorium entrance and close to the stage. All restrooms include accessible stalls.

For Visitors Who Have Sensory Processing Needs

The BMA has partnered with KultureCity to improve our ability to assist and accommodate visitors with sensory needs. Our objective is to provide an inclusive and seamless experience for all guests for all events including those with sensory needs. We strive to raise awareness of the needs and challenges faced by individuals with sensory processing disorders by supplying our Team Members with continuous training and by offering the resources and accommodations below to our visitors.

Sensory Bags
Sensory bags containing special KCVIP badges, fidget tools, noise canceling headphones and other resources are available for checkout (at no cost by leaving an ID) at our Information Desk located at the ground floor entrance.

Weighted Lap Pads
Weighted lap pads are also available upon request (at no cost by leaving an ID) at our Information Desk located at the ground floor entrance.

Social Story and KultureCity All-Inclusive App
Download the KultureCity All-Inclusive App HERE to get your social story to help you further with your visit to the BMA:

For Visitors with Low to No Vision

In our Sensory Empowerment Program (SEP), we offer sensory tours geared toward those with low to no vision. These tours are led by specially trained staff who use verbal descriptions, meditation/visualization techniques, and three-dimensional models to help visitors discover artworks through touch and sound.

We also offer Empathy tours. Empathy tours are formatted the same as low to no vision tours, but have a different objective. Using equipment to simulate common vision impairments, specially trained staff lead participants through an immersive empathy experience.

To book a SEP tour, contact Angela May, Associate Director of Learning and Engagement, at [email protected].

Service animals are welcome at the Birmingham Museum of Art.

For Visitors with Color Blindness

As part of the Sensory Empowerment Program, we offer our color blind visitors the opportunity to experience the colorful art found in our galleries using EnChroma glasses. These glasses work best for individuals less able to distinguish the colors green and red.

To book an EnChroma glasses experience, contact Angela May, Associate Director of Learning and Engagement, at [email protected].

 

If you have questions, suggestions, or specific requests related to accessibility, please email [email protected].