Accessibility

Welcome! The National Park Service strives to make the parks as universally accessible as possible. Here at Independence, park buildings, programs, films and exhibits are accessible through a variety of means, including ramps, open captioning and assistive listening devices. Service animals are permitted in all park buildings.

Have you heard about the The America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Access Pass -- or simply, the "Access Pass" -- which provides a wide range of discounts on activities and services when you visit federal lands? The Access Pass cannot currently be obtained at Independence National Historical Park, but it is available online and at some other national park sites.

 

Find specific information on:

Physical/Mobility

Deaf/Hearing Loss

Blind/Low Vision

Cognitive/Learning Disabilities


Independence National Historical Park is located in an urban area served by Interstates 95 and 676. The park is also easily reached by public transportation, including SEPTA and PATCO mass transit routes. Despite being situated within a large city, the park itself is fairly compact. Most park sites stretch from 2nd Street and 7th Street, and Walnut Street to Arch Street in the historic district. We recommend that you start your visit at the Independence Visitor Center at 6th and Market Streets.

The list below provides specific accessibility information about individual park sites. You will also find important information about hours, locations, and fees in the linked "Plan Your Visit" pages. And don't forget to use the built-in accessibility features on your phone to make the most of the National Park Service mobile app--it has maps, tours, and more! Search for "National Park Service" in the App Store or on Google Play.

 

Independence Visitor Center

The Independence Visitor Center is fully accessible for visitors with mobility impairments. Accessible restrooms, including a family restroom, are located near the south doors on the main level. Visitors may borrow wheelchairs for use within the park. The films are open captioned and audio described. Please ask at the Ranger's Desk if you'd like to borrow an assistive listening device or wheelchair. The exhibits near the Ranger Desk include a tactile model of Independence Hall, and other hands-on exhibit elements. The park has an UbiDuo available upon request at the Ranger's desk. Point to the UbiDuo sign, if needed. This communication device enables deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing people to communicate face to face using a set of keyboards.

 

Independence Hall

The first floor of Independence Hall is accessible for those with mobility impairments. There is a touchscreen interactive photo album showing images of the upper floor for those not able to climb the stairs to the second floor. Ask a ranger for an audio description tour. For those with hearing impairments, the "Birthplace of a Nation" pamphlet provides written information about the rooms shown on the tour, or ask the ranger for an assistive listening device to amplify the tour. American Sign Language interpretation is available by request. You must first reserve Independence Hall tickets at least two weeks in advance of your visit. Once you have obtained reserved tickets, email us to arrange for an interpreter at least 14 days prior to your visit. The ASL interpretation service is FREE.

 

Great Essentials Exhibit in the West Wing

The West Wing is wheelchair accessible through the south door.

 

Congress Hall

The first floor of Congress Hall is accessible for those with mobility impairments. There is a digital interactive photo album showing images of the upper floor for those not able to climb the stairs to the second floor. For those with hearing impairments, the "Birthplace of a Nation" pamphlet provides written information about the rooms shown on the tour or ask a ranger for an assistive listening device to amplify the tour. An audio description tour is available.

 

Old City Hall

Old City Hall is wheelchair accessible through the west door (look for the ramp). The America's National Parks store is wheelchair accessible. There is one step up into the courtroom; ask the ranger for the portable ramp. The site does have an audio description tour.

 

Liberty Bell Center

The Liberty Bell Center is wheelchair accessible. The video presentation is open captioned and audio described. Assistive listening devices are available. Visitors are encouraged to touch the replica of the Liberty Bell's inscription in the exhibit area. There are NO restrooms (accessible or otherwise) in the Liberty Bell Center, but restrooms are available in the nearby Independence Visitor Center.

 

Benjamin Franklin Museum

The Benjamin Franklin Museum is fully accessible for visitors with mobility impairments. An elevator allows visitors to access the museum. There are also accessible restrooms located on the lower level, including a family restroom. An audio described tour of the museum is available. Ask a ranger for an assistive listening device to amplify the audio on the media throughout the museum. Tactile objects are located throughout the exhibit area.

 

Franklin Court Courtyard

The courtyard is wheelchair accessible from both the Market Street and Chestnut Street access points.

 

Franklin Court Printing Office

The Printing Office is wheelchair accessible through the courtyard entrance door only.

 

Fragments of Franklin Court Exhibit

This museum is currently closed to the public. When open, the first floor of the site is wheelchair accessible through the use of a portable ramp. Please ask the ranger in the Benjamin Franklin Museum to alert the staff in the exhibit to put the ramp in place.

 

Portrait Gallery in the Second Bank

The Portrait Gallery in the Second Bank is accessible for visitors with mobility impairments. The accessible entrance ramp is located on the west side of the building. The gallery level is reached via elevator. Accessible restrooms are located in the basement near the elevator.

 

President's House Site

The President's House Site is wheelchair accessible. The videos are open captioned.

 

Declaration House

The Declaration House is closed to visitors. When open, it is wheelchair accessible on the first floor only (note: there is a slight lip on the threshold). After entering into the courtyard, go around to the west door for access.

 

New Hall Military Museum

This site is currently closed. When open, the first floor of the site is wheelchair accessible through the use of a portable ramp. Please alert a park ranger at the Independence Visitor Center for assistance.

 

Washington Square

Washington Square is wheelchair accessible.

 

Dolley Todd House

There are currently no tours being conducted of the Dolley Todd House. When it is open it is not wheelchair accessible. The house consists of small spaces and steep, narrow staircases.

 

Bishop White House

There are currently no tours being offered of the Bishop White House. When open for tours, it is wheelchair accessible on the first floor only. The house consists of narrow hallways and many steps.

 

Germantown White House

The Germantown White House is currently closed to visitors. When open, only the first floor is accessible for those with mobility impairments. Knock on the door, or phone [phone] for entry. Accessible restrooms are available on site. Some exhibits are audio described.

 

Free Quaker Meeting House

There is a wheelchair accessible entrance on the west side of the building. In the summer, use the southwest door; it is unlocked. In the spring and fall, knock on the southwest door for entrance.

 

Merchants' Exchange Building

The Merchants’ Exchange Building is wheelchair accessible.

 

18th Century Garden

The 18th Century Garden is wheelchair accessible.

 

Rose Garden

The Rose Garden is wheelchair accessible.

 

Magnolia Garden

The Magnolia Garden is not wheelchair accessible.

 

City Tavern

City Tavern is not currently open. When open, it is wheelchair accessible through a lift located adjacent to the entrance on 2nd Street.