Accessible Entrances

Van accessible parking is located at the entrance of the building and with two van accessible spots with an adjacent access aisle and two additional accessible spots. The entrance is approximately 150 feet from the parking lot. A stable walking surface leads from the parking lot to front door. Benches are located near the entrance.

Accessible parking is also located at the east side of the building, those doors are closed after 5pm and on weekends. An accessible path leads from the east side to the front doors for visitors wishing to use this spot.

Facility Accessibility

All visitor services are located on the first floor. Elevator access is available for second floor administrative offices. Take a 360 degree virtual look at our lobby here.

Accessible restrooms are located adjacent to the front door entrance. Changing tables are available in the women’s restroom.

Courtesy transport chairs are available for use inside the facility and can be requested from any of the visitor services staff on the first floor.

Service Animals

Service animals are allowed in the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center.

Animals that are not service animals are not allowed inside of the facility. For additional information, please refer to the definition of service animal.

Outdoor Facilities

A paved, wide path connects to the Chena River bike path on the north side of the building. The path is approximately 8 feet wide and has little elevation change.

Two accessible picnic tables are located outside the north lobby door, the rectangular one can accommodate one person using a wheelchair and approximately 4 people not using wheelchairs, the circular table has space for two guests using wheelchairs or other mobility assistance devices and two persons not using wheelchairs.

Programmatic Accessibility

The Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center strives to make the visitor center and its programs as universally accessible as possible. If your questions concerning accessibility are unanswered after reading information in this section of our website, please contact us.

Visitors Who Are Blind or Low Vision

Visitors needing audio description may borrow an electronic device that plays a narrated description of the Morris Thompson exhibits. Headsets and devices may be picked up at the National Park Service desk at no charge.

Numerous exhibits are tactile throughout the visitor center. “Touch tours” of the exhibits are available upon request with two weeks’ advance notice. To request a touch tour, contact the National Park Service at 907-459-3730 or [email protected].

Visitors Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Assistive listening devices (ALDs) amplify and clarify sound by cutting down or eliminating ambient noise. Infrared assistive listening systems are installed in the theater, and headsets may be used at any seat. Headsets with induction neck loops are available for visitors who use hearing aids and cochlear implants with a “T” switch.

Assistive listening devices are available for theatre programs and are T Loop compatible. A small selection of audio described films are available upon request outside normally scheduled films.

The Morris Thompson Center also offers sign language interpretation upon request. Requests for sign language interpreters must be received at least two weeks prior to the event by calling 907-459-3701 or submitting a request. These requests are subject to the availability of an interpreter and are provided at the discretion of the management.

Closed captions are available on the theatre films and exhibit media.

Visitors Who Have Limited Mobility

The Morris Thompson Center exhibits are approximately 75 feet from the front door entrance. The exhibit area covers about 300 linear feet of walking. It is wheelchair accessible with multiple ADA compliant ramps and changes in level. Lighting levels are low in some portions of the exhibit.

The Morris Thompson Center theater has wheelchair- and scooter-accessible locations where patrons can remain in their wheelchairs or transfer to theater seats. Wheelchair accessible seating is available in the theatre for 2 wheelchairs or scooters.