Accessibility review: Natural History Museum
Observer: Tasnimah Uddin, Olivia Lombardo, Mia Tursman
Date: 2026-05-11
Overall compliance: 57% of rated items met (26 met, 5 not met, 15 partial, 5 N/A)
Audio/visual & interactives
- ⚠️ All videos and audio programs are captioned or have printed scripts — Partial
No captions on videos
- ➖ Silent audiovisuals labelled to confirm no audio is being missed — N/A
- ❌ Audio description available for image-based content — Not met
- ⚠️ Interactive controls reachable from a wheelchair (max. 48 in. height) — Partial
There are no controls but there were a few headphones for listening to audios
- ➖ Controls usable one-handed — no tight grip or twisting required — N/A
No controls displayed for audio visuals
- ➖ Touch targets at least 3 in. in diameter — N/A
- ⚠️ Instructions provided in both print and audio formats — Partial
- ✅ No furniture or objects blocking access to interactives — Met
- ❌ Assistive listening system available in programming spaces — Not met
Seating & furniture
- ✅ Seating provided in every gallery (or immediately adjacent) — Met
Seats were in every floor and exhibit, along with benches
- ✅ At least 50% of seats are accessible — Met
- ⚠️ Seats have both back and arm support; seat height 17–19 in. — Partial
No arm support
- ⚠️ Space for wheelchair users beside fixed seating — Partial
- ✅ Seats clearly visible — contrast with floors and walls — Met
- ✅ Seats do not block pathways or interactive controls — Met
- ✅ Display cases have cane-detectable lower edges (at or below 27 in.) — Met
Exhibits & objects
- ✅ Small objects mounted at or below 40 in. (seated eye level) — Met
- ✅ Display cases shallow enough to see objects from above — Met
Some of the little description cards in the cases were flat versus tilted. Tilted was better for those who are lower to the ground; if your eye level was at the case it would be hard to read a flat card.
- ✅ Objects have 70% color contrast against their background — Met
The stands the objects were displayed against had fair contrast and varied based on the item rather than being uniformly white.
- ➖ Touchable objects or reproductions available for tactile access — N/A
The majority of items were in cases and not to be touched.
- ⚠️ Audio description provided for items that cannot be touched — Partial
Only some displays had audio options. Audio seemed intended for additional information rather than as a substitute for written descriptions. Written plaques were only offered in English/Irish.
- ✅ No objects protrude more than 4 in. from walls at head height — Met
- ✅ No low floor-level objects that could be tripping hazards — Met
Some exhibits had rugs, but they were secured to the ground so they would not roll up and become a tripping hazard.
- ⚠️ At least 100 lux of light on displayed objects — Partial
For the most part lighting was not a big issue. Some rooms with light-sensitive items would fall below this threshold for preservation reasons.
Pathways & navigation
- ⚠️ Main circulation route at least 36 in. wide (60 in. preferred) — Partial
The majority of the large exhibits were definitely 36 in. wide, but the smaller more specialized exhibit rooms were narrower. The second floor had many tight spaces and sharper turns.
- ✅ At least 80 in. of clear overhead clearance throughout — Met
- ⚠️ Route is step-free, or ramps/lifts provided at level changes — Partial
Many of the specialized rooms had awkward stairs and partial floor levels. A good example is the Egyptian room.
- ✅ Floor surface is stable, firm, and slip-resistant — Met
- ⚠️ Route well lit (50–100 lux) with no confusing shadow pools — Partial
The main spaces are well lit. Exceptions are the rooms intended for light-sensitive items.
- ✅ 70% color contrast between floor and walls/furniture — Met
- ✅ Accessible floor map available at the gallery entrance — Met
Pamphlets were available at the entrance and many areas had a floor plan posted on the wall or a stand.
- ✅ More than one exit from the exhibition — Met
- ⚠️ 60 in. wheelchair turning space at any dead ends — Partial
The smaller rooms to the side were much narrower and would become crammed very easily. It would be difficult for a wheelchair to navigate, especially on floor 2.
Labels & text
- ✅ Labels use plain English — short sentences, active voice — Met
- ✅ Legible font used — no all-caps or decorative scripts — Met
- ⚠️ Type size appropriate for the viewing distance — Partial
Many historical story captions were an appropriate size; however, image labels were often much smaller and harder to read.
- ✅ High contrast between label text and background (70%) — Met
- ⚠️ Labels printed on matte, non-glare surfaces — Partial
Some labels were placed behind glass and had a shadow on the text as well.
- ✅ Wall labels centered at approx. 54 in. (readable seated & standing) — Met
- ❌ Label positions consistent throughout the exhibition — Not met
Some labels in display cases were tilted forward so they could be read from any angle; however, some were flat and facing upward, which would be difficult for a wheelchair user to read. There is no reason why they could not all be tilted slightly forward.
- ❌ Alternative formats available: Braille, large print, or audio guide — Not met
One small activity had a Braille option indicating where to dispose of paper, but it was not present anywhere else in the museum. The audio guide appeared to cover only certain artifacts that lacked written descriptors, not general museum information. It would also have been impossible to select the correct audio guide number without being able to read the number displayed behind the glass.
- ⚠️ 100–300 lux of light on all label surfaces — Partial
Certain rooms were dimly lit to preserve artifacts, and the Egypt room was almost impossible to read in many areas. Lighting was adequate everywhere else.
Safety & content
- ✅ Both visual and audible fire alarms are present — Met
- ✅ Accessible emergency exits clearly marked with access symbols — Met
- ✅ Exhibition addresses multiple intellectual levels and sensory channels — Met
- ✅ People with disabilities represented respectfully in exhibit content — Met
- ➖ Labels use person-first language throughout — N/A
Checklist based on the Smithsonian Guidelines for Accessible Exhibition Design