Accessibility

Many sites along the Freedom Trail are historic buildings and ships with varying levels of accessibility. See the accessibility notes for each park and park partner site on our Plan Your Visit Page.

The National Parks of Boston have many accommodations for our visitors who need additional accessibility considerations. For additional information, or to check on specific accommodations, please call [phone].

 

 

Materials Available in Multiple Languages

The film "Fighting For Freedom: Lewis Hayden and the Underground Railroad" has captions in multiple languages, including:

• Spanish
• French
• Portuguese
• Simplified Chinese
• Vietnamese
• English

The National Parks of Boston have park brochures available in multiple languages, including:

• Spanish
• French
• Portuguese
• Simplified Chinese
• English

General Guidelines for People with Hearing Impairment

The film "Fighting For Freedom: Lewis Hayden and the Underground Railroad" has captions in English and a number of other languages. Visitors can experience the film in the lower level of Faneuil Hall.

General Guidelines for People with Low or No Sight

The National Parks of Boston have recently created audio-described brochures for their sites. To learn more, visit our Blind/Low Vision Page.

The film "Fighting for Freedom: Lewis Hayden and the Underground Railroad" has audio descriptions that can be played with the film. Visitors can experience the film in the lower level of Faneuil Hall.

General Guidelines for People with Limited Mobility

Boston's Freedom Trail navigates some of the oldest streets and neighborhoods in the city. Sidewalks can often be narrow and uneven. All crosswalks have curb-cuts and crosswalks at stoplights have signals.

There are two places where the trail takes stairs:

• Boston Common leading up to Beacon Street, the State House and the Robert Gould Shaw/54th Massachusetts Memorial: Cross over Park Street from Boston Common and take the return leg of the Freedom Trail up Park Street.
• Old North Church from Paul Revere Mall: Take a left on Unity Street, a right on Tileston Street, and a right on Salem Street. This loops around to the front of the Church.

Wheelchairs may be borrowed, free of charge, for single-day use at our Faneuil Hall and Charlestown Navy Yard Visitor Centers. They are available on a first come, first served basis. Visitor will be required to leave a driver's license as a deposit, and wheelchairs must be returned to the Visitor Center from which they were borrowed prior to the end of the day.

General Guidelines for Visitors with Service Animals

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a service animal as a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. Service animals are permitted in government buildings.

The Department of Justice published revised regulations implementing the ADA rules for title II (State and local government services) and title III (public accommodations and commercial facilities) on September 15, 2010, in the Federal Register. These rules clarify issues and contain updated requirements for service animals, including the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design. More information can be found within the Service Animal Policy DOJ711.

Service Animals are not allowed inside the Bunker Hill Monument or aboard the USS Cassin Young. The NPS is not required to modify policies, practices, or procedures to accommodate service animals if such modifications would “fundamentally alter” the nature of the goods, services, programs, or activities provided to the public. Additionally, the NPS may impose legitimate requirements necessary for the safe operation of its services, programs, or activities. Therefore, a park may prohibit service animals in an area closed to pets if (1) allowing them would require a fundamental alteration to the nature of the goods, services, programs, or activities provided to the public in the area, or (2) the presence of a service animal would jeopardize the safe operation of its services, programs, or activities.

General Guidelines for Accessible Parking

There are marked on-street accessible parking spaces near most historic sites available to any vehicle with a disability placard. Reserved accessible parking is also available at the Charlestown Navy Yard.

General Accessibility Guidelines for Utilizing Public Transportation

Because parking in Boston can be such a challenge, it may be easier to visit us by taking public transportation. Most of Boston's subway, commuter rail, bus, and ferries are accessible to people with disabilities. Learn more through the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Page.

MBTA subway stops closest to the site are the Park Street stop on the Red and Green subway lines, the Downtown Crossing stop on the Orange subway line, or the Bowdoin stop on the Blue subway line. Visit the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authoritywebsite for maps and information.