Accessibility
OMCA is committed to providing services and programs that are accessible, welcoming, and inclusive of our community. Learn more about our accessibility options below.
Entering the Museum
Parking
OMCA’s parking garage is located on Oak Street between 10th and 12th Streets and provides spaces on the upper level for disabled parking as well as a ramp into the Museum. Disabled parking spaces are only available on the upper level of the parking garage. OMCA’s lower level is accessible only by stairs. Please note the vertical clearance of the garage entrance is 6 feet 8 inches.
Accessibility Ramps
There are three accessibility ramps available for entrance to the Museum. Ramps are located at the main entrance of the Museum on Oak Street between 10th and 11th streets, as well as at the 12th Street entrance facing Lake Merritt. A new ramp along 10th and Fallon streets provides direct access to our cafe on the Mid Level of OMCA.
During your visit
Wheelchair Access
OMCA is fully wheelchair accessible, allowing for manual and electric wheelchairs, electric mobility scooters, and other power-driven mobility devices. OMCA offers a limited number of wheelchairs at the Ticketing Desk on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note, OMCA staff is not permitted to lift visitors or push wheelchairs.
Other power-driven mobility devices (OPDMDs)
Other power-driven mobility devices (OPDMDs) such as Segways, are subject to reasonable restrictions in certain areas of the Museum campus. As our campus is comprised of multiple levels, open staircases, and narrow gallery spaces we have created a policy to maximize accessibility while minimizing danger to those persons using an OPDMD and others around them (particularly during times of high visitation). This accommodation is intended for those with an accessibility need. Recreational use of OPDMDs is not permitted.
Those using an OPDMD for an accessible need are instructed to:
- Maintain control of their device
- Operate at the lowest speed (consistent with a walking pace)
- Yield to pedestrians (with particular attention being paid to children and seniors)
- Take care when turning corners, operate in reverse, and when navigating near artifacts or when entering and exiting exhibits
- Follow any safety instructions given by museum staff
Restrooms
Accessible restrooms are located on all levels. Gender-neutral restrooms and a family restroom with an adult sized changing table are available on Level 2.
Elevator
An elevator is available for visitor use inside the Museum near the parking garage entrance on Level 2. The elevator provides access to Levels 1, 2, and 3. Level 4 roof gardens are not accessible by the elevator.
Service Animals
Service animals are allowed in all areas of OMCA that are open to the public, including our galleries and gardens, provided the service animal does not pose a direct threat to staff or visitors, or fundamentally alter the Museum’s operations, policies, practices, or procedures.
A service animal is a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for persons with disabilities. Dogs that solely provide companionship, comfort, and emotional support are not considered service animals under the ADA.
Multilingual Resources
In gallery
OMCA’s wall text is multilingual (English, Spanish and Chinese) and reflects the voices of many Californians, providing different perspectives on the meaning of California art, history, and natural sciences.
Onsite events
To request American Sign Language (ASL), Cantonese, Spanish or another language interpreter, please email [email protected] at least three weeks before the event.
Website translation services
OMCA’s website can be translated for free into Spanish or Chinese using the Weglot translation service. Click on the flag icon located on the bottom right of the screen to select a language and the site will instantly be translated into the language of your choosing.
Resources for visitors who are blind or partially sighted
AIRA, onsite accessibility application
Aira, a visual interpreting service application (app), provides live, on-demand visual information and is available to Museum visitors. The app supports visitors who are blind or have visual impairments with reading interpretive materials in real time, navigating the Museum, and participating in other onsite activities.
Visitors can download the Aira app on a smartphone using the buttons below, and use the app to speak directly to an Aira agent. While on OMCA campus, visitors have full access to the app for free. Visitors can connect to the museum’s free wifi or use cell-coverage to use the app.
OMCA is in the prototype phase of implementing this app. We hope to gather feedback to understand how visitors are using the service. If you encounter any loss of connection or have additional feedback, please email us at [email protected].
RESOURCES FOR VISITORS WITH COLOR BLINDNESS:
EnChroma glasses
EnChroma glasses are available to all museum visitors for free. Glasses can be picked up and returned at the Ticketing and Membership Desk on our mid-level.
Resources for visitors who are deaf or hard of hearing
Assistive listening devices at OMCA onsite events
Assistive listening devices are available for the James Moore Theater and Lecture Hall. Visitors can checkout assistive listening devices on a first come, first served basis at the ticketing desk.
Resources for visitors who are Neurodivergent
Sensory Inclusive Space
OMCA is KultureCity® Sensory InclusiveTM certified. Staff and volunteers of OMCA are trained by leading medical professionals on how to recognize those with clients’ sensory needs and how to handle a sensory overload situation. OMCA offers KultureCity® Sensory Bags which are equipped with noise-canceling headphones (provided by Puro Sound Labs), fidget tools, verbal cue cards and KCVIP lanyard, to all visitors of OMCA.
Visitors can download the free KultureCity® App to view what sensory features are available and how to access them, including how to get a KultureCity® Sensory Bag. The Social Story feature on the app provides a customized visual preview of what to expect while visiting OMCA.
Digital resources
Website accessibility
Accessibility adjustments can be made for free to OMCA’s website in real time through services provided by Accesibe. Click on the orange and white person icon on the bottom right side of the screen to make adjustments.
Downloadable Forms
In order to view PDF files found across this website, Adobe Reader 9.1 (or higher) is required. Adobe Reader is available as a free download at: get.adobe.com/reader/. Screen reader users and persons with low vision should use the “Read Out Loud” feature found in the latest releases of Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Commitment to Digital Accessibility
OMCA is committed to making our website and digital content accessible and user-friendly to everyone. If you are having difficulty viewing or navigating the content on this website, or notice any content, feature, or functionality that you believe is not fully accessible to people with disabilities, please call our Customer Service team at 510-318-8400 or email our team at [email protected] with “Accessibility” in the subject line and provide a description of the specific feature you feel is not fully accessible or a suggestion for improvement.
We take your feedback seriously and will consider it as we evaluate ways to accommodate all of our customers and our overall accessibility policies. Additionally, while we do not control such vendors, we strongly encourage vendors of third-party digital content to provide content that is accessible and user friendly.