Accessibility

An Experience Tailored to You

The National Museum of Asian Art is committed to providing access to all visitors. We want to make your visit as easy and comfortable as possible. This page is designed to help you plan your trip.

For additional information prior to your visit, email asia-accessibility@si.edu. Once in the museum, questions about accessibility can be directed to security personnel or to staff at the information desks in the lobbies.

Service dogs are welcome. The Smithsonian follows the U.S. Department of Justice’s ADA requirements for service animals. Visitors are not allowed to bring emotional support animals into Smithsonian museums or onto Smithsonian properties.

Visitors with Mobility Disabilities

The public elevator in the West Building (Freer Gallery of Art) is out of service from September 16, 2024, through early 2025. Our staff will take you to our staff-only elevator so you can access galleries 1 through 19. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Arriving and Parking

The Smithsonian’s accessibility map locates accessible entrances, curb cuts, designated parking, and more for the Smithsonian museums on the National Mall.

Entering the Buildings
There are two accessible entrances:

1. The entrance to the East Building (Arthur M. Sackler Gallery) from the Enid A. Haupt Garden.
2. The entrance to the West Building (Freer Gallery of Art) on Independence Avenue at the corner of 12th Street SW.

The Jefferson Drive entrance to the East Building requires steps to enter.

Where To Park
Vehicles displaying the international symbol of accessibility may park in the designated parking spaces on Jefferson Drive. Metered parking is also available on Jefferson Drive and Independence Avenue. The museum’s accessible entrances are located on Independence Avenue, so we recommend parking there for your convenience. For up-to-date information about parking in metered spaces, visit the District Department of Transportation website.

Book a Spot in Advance
ADA parking spaces are available, for a charge, at nearby parking garages. You can book guaranteed parking in advance with ParkWhiz.

Getting Around the Museum

All levels of the museum are accessible by elevator, including exhibition spaces and all public facilities.

The public elevator in the West Building (Freer Gallery of Art) is out of service from September 16, 2024 through early 2025. Our staff can take you to our staff-only elevator so you can access galleries 1 through 19.

Read the directions below based on where you want to go. Find the elevator outage map on page two of our floor plan.

Facilities
All restrooms and water fountains are wheelchair accessible. Baby changing stations are located in all of the restrooms in the West Building (Freer Gallery of Art), and in the East Building (Arthur M. Sackler Gallery) on level B2.

Borrowing a Wheelchair
For your comfort, manual wheelchairs can be borrowed by asking a security officer stationed at the West Building (Freer Gallery of Art) accessible entrance on Independence Avenue SW and at the East Building (Arthur M. Sackler Gallery) main entrance. Wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Visitors Who Are Deaf or Have Hearing Loss

American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation of virtual programs is available upon request. Because the museum does not have interpreters on staff, two weeks’ notice is requested to arrange for interpreters.

Please contact asia-accessibility@si.edu.

All videos shown in conjunction with an exhibition are captioned.

Visitors Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision

Service dogs are welcome in the museums and tactile maps are available at the information desks. The museum is a location for the Aira Access mobile information and verbal description service. Visitors can download the free Aira app on a smartphone, connect to the museum’s free Wi-Fi, and use the app to speak to an Aira agent using minutes provided courtesy of the Smithsonian. Please note that registering for Aira can take several minutes. We recommend registering ahead of time.

Engage with a tactile installation: Hands On with the Interactive Cosmic Buddha

Visitors With Developmental Disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder

Generally, the National Museum of Asian Art is a quiet space. If you are sensitive to noise, consider bringing noise-canceling headphones.

The National Museum of Asian Art participates in the Smithsonian Institution’s Morning at the Museum program, which offers families early admission to a Smithsonian Museum once a month. Visit the Morning at the Museum page to register for the next program.

Visitors with Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia

The National Museum of Asian Art participates in the Smithsonian’s See Me program, which offers interactive tours tailored to individuals with dementia and their care partners.

Free registration is required. For more information and to register, contact access@si.edu.