Accessibility initiatives at Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center are generously supported by Gerald and Olivia Shapiro.
We want each visitor to have a memorable experience at our Museum and we are committed to making our programs, exhibitions, and facilities accessible for everyone by removing accessibility barriers, delivering a welcoming and relevant experience, and providing opportunities for meaningful engagement.
For questions or feedback regarding accessibility, please contact info@ilhmec.org or 847.967.4800.
FIND INFORMATION ABOUT:
Where to get help at the Museum
Public Transportation, Paratransit, & Rideshare Information
Wheelchairs & Personal Mobility Devices
Where to get help at the Museum
If you have a question, concern, or need while visiting the Museum, you can get assistance by finding a nearby volunteer or security team member.
Return to top of pageVisual & Auditory Supports
A printed self-guided tour of Karkomi Holocaust Exhibition is available for all visitors, as well as a printed map. You can download these before your visit or ask for copies at the Information Desk at the Museum.
download museum & karkomi map download museum & karkomi map (Español) download self-guided tour brochureSelf-guided audio tours are also available for Karkomi Holocaust Exhibition and Take a Stand Center in English, Spanish, French, Polish, Hebrew, Japanese, Ukrainian, and Russian languages. Headphones are required to use audio guides on personal devices. Museum-provided devices do not require headphones.
Field trips and group tours that need audio amplification on docent-led tours can reserve headsets and audio devices in advance. ASL interpreters can be hired and “tactile tours” can be arranged for Group Tours – please inform GroupTours@ilhmec.org of your interest while booking your tour.
Return to top of pagePublic Transportation, Paratransit, & Rideshare Information
Illinois Holocaust Museum is accessible from a number of public-transportation options. To learn more about accessibility information, visit Chicago Transit Authority’s accessibility page.
The Museum’s Paratransit address is 9603 Woods Drive, Skokie, IL 60077. Note that the public entrance is on the east side of the building, towards 1-94 Expressway/opposite Woods Drive. Please refer to the illustration below.
For general information on parking, hours, and public transportation, visit our Plan Your Visit page.
Wheelchairs & Personal Mobility Devices
Wheelchairs and personal mobility devices are welcome at the Museum. There are three manually operated wheelchairs and one walker available for visitors to use at no cost on a first-come, first-served basis – no reservation required. These are located in the coat room on the ground floor. Please note that Museum staff and volunteers are not permitted to push visitors in wheelchairs.
Several areas of the building contain narrow walkways and doorways and/or uneven terrain. Use caution at all times when operating electronic mobility devices, wheelchairs, walkers, support canes, forearm-crutches, handle-crutches, strollers, etc.
In Karkomi Holocaust Exhibition, there is a lift by the rail car. To use the lift, push the button on the wall at the base of the ramp to call the Museum’s security team. A security team member will operate the lift.
Elevators are available in all public areas of the Museum and access all three levels.
Return to top of pageBathrooms & Rest Areas
All bathrooms in the Museum are fully accessible. Toilets flush automatically and sinks & soap dispensers are motion-activated. Paper towels are available for hand-drying.
Two all-gender/single-occupancy bathrooms are available in the Legacy Shop, and there is a private lactation room in the Legacy Shop bathroom on the right-hand side. There is a chair and an outlet available.
The Museum’s Survivor Lounge and Library (Brill Family Resource Center) are available for visitors in need of a quiet, calm environment. Please contact visitor services staff during your visit if this space is needed.
Return to top of pageSensory Information
The Museum is typically busiest in the morning hours. If you prefer to avoid crowds, we recommend arriving after 1 pm. Exhibitions and gallery spaces in the Museum can become chilly. Visitors may hold their coats, jackets, etc. free of charge at our self-service coat check, located on the main floor.
The Museum’s Survivor Lounge and Library (Brill Family Resource Center) are available for visitors in need of a quiet, calm environment. Please contact visitor services staff during your visit if this space is needed.
To help visitors feel secure and comfortable in the Museum’s various environments, “Sensory Backpacks” are available to all visitors. These backpacks are free of charge and can be checked out at the Information Desk. Backpacks contain:
- Drawn Good coloring book with coloring pencils
- Plushie (pickle, grilled cheese, bagel)
- Remembrance coin
- Emotions fan
- Noise reduction headsets
We are working to create a map that will clearly describe the various sensory environments in the Museum – please check this page for updates!
Return to top of pageService Animals
In accordance with the ADA, service animals* are welcome at the Museum, along with service animals-in-training with a handler/trainer presuming they have met the requirements outlined in the Illinois Service Animal Access Act, Illinois Guide Dog Access Act, and Illinois White Cane Law.
- Service animals must be on duty and serving in their official capacity and under the control of a handler at all times.
- The owner of the service animal is solely responsible for its care and supervision.
- Under the ADA, service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices.
There are no specifically designated relief areas for service animals at the Museum.
*According to the ADA, a service animal is defined by the ADA as “a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability.” Pets, therapy animals, and emotional support animals are not considered service animals under the ADA and therefore are not permitted at the Museum.
Return to top of pagePublic Programs & Events
American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and cart writers will be included for select programs & events and will be noted when available. There are nine wheelchair companion seats in Goodman Auditorium, located on the main level and on the balcony.
The Museum will offer a virtual option for programs & events when possible.
Return to top of pageGift Shop
Legacy Shop staff are available for reaching, reading, describing, or otherwise assisting during your visit.
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