Accessibility

Sensory bags are available for check out at the front desk. These bags include noise reduction headphones, communication cards, light reduction glasses, fidget/relaxation toys, and other tools to make the museum more accessible.

• Sponsored by UPMC Health Plan

The Museum is accessible to persons who use wheelchairs or other assisted mobility devices.

The entire museum is wheelchair accessible.

Elevators provide access to all levels.

All bathrooms and water fountains are wheelchair accessible.

The Experience Children’s Museum is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all visitors, including adults with disabilities. To ensure the safety and comfort of our visitors with disabilities, we require that they are accompanied by a caregiver who is responsible for supervising them throughout their visit to the museum.

The caregiver must be at least 18 years old and capable of providing the necessary assistance and supervision to the visitor with disabilities. The caregiver is responsible for the safety, behavior, and well-being of the visitor with disabilities at all times while in the museum.

Our museum is designed to be accessible to visitors with disabilities, and we have implemented various accommodations to ensure a positive experience for all. This includes wheelchair accessibility and sensory-friendly accessories and exhibits. If you have any questions or require additional accommodations, please reach out to Kristina at kristina@eriechildrensmuseum.org or Julie at julie@eriechildrensmuseum.org.

We encourage visitors with disabilities and their caregivers to plan their visits to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. Our website provides information about our exhibits, accessibility features, and parking options. If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact us, and we will be happy to assist you.

The expERIEnce Children’s Museum abides by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and allows service animals, that is, animals that are trained to perform specific tasks for an individual with a disability, into all public areas of the Museum.

Dogs and miniature horses are the only animals recognized as service animals by federal and state law. Staff may only ask two questions of the animal’s owner if his or her disability is not obvious: 1) whether the animal is required because of a disability; and 2) what work or task the animal has been trained to perform. The staff is not allowed to ask about the specifics of the owner’s disability or request any documentation or proof of either the owner’s disability or animal’s abilities.

Miniature horses are allowed into the Museum as service animals under the ADA providing they meet four specific requirements: 1) the miniature horse is housebroken; 2) the miniature horse is under the owner’s control; 3) the facility can accommodate the miniature horse’s type, size and weight; and 4) the miniature horse’s presence will not compromise legitimate safety requirements necessary for safe operation of the facility.

A service animal is required to be under control at all times by its handler. This typically requires that it be on a leash, harness, or other tether. However, if the handler cannot use a leash, harness or tether due to his or her disability or because doing so would interfere with the animal’s ability to perform his work or tasks, then the handler must exercise control through other means (such as voice control or signs).

Comfort animals, therapy animals, companion animals and emotional support animals are not classified as service animals by the ADA and therefore not allowed into the Museum.