Accessibility at VMFA
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts offers the accessibility resources listed below.
If you need more information, please contact Visitor Services at 804.340.1405 or info@vmfa.museum.
Accessibility Guide & Sensory Maps
Please see attached guide and sensory maps.
Autism Spectrum & Sensory Concerns
Social Narratives
VMFA offers Social Narratives to prepare guests for their visit or field trip to the museum. These narratives use photographs and personalized stories to walk guests through their visit in advance, so they will know exactly what to expect. Select the appropriate narrative for your visit and customize for your group as needed.
- Social Narrative for Self-Directed Visits
- Social Narrative for Guided Student Group Visits
- Social Narrative for Early Childhood Art Class Visits
- Social Narrative for Pre-K Groups
- Social Narrative for Self-Directed Groups
Sensory Bags
VMFA offers sensory bags that include noise-reducing headphones, fidget toys, sunglasses, a sensory map of the museum, and a visual cue card. At Visitor Services, you may check a sensory bag out for use during your visit. Please be sure to return the bag before you leave.
Disabilities Sunflower Lanyards
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard is a simple way for visitors to voluntarily indicate they have a disability or condition that may not be immediately apparent. Our museum staff members understand that a guest wearing a sunflower lanyard may need additional support, help, understanding, or just more time.
Blind & Low Vision
Large Print Text
Spiral-bound books with large-print versions of labels and wall text for special exhibitions are available at the exhibition entrance on a first-come, first-served basis. Digital versions are available via a QR code at the exhibition entrance and on the exhibition webpage.
Touch Tours
Although we are currently unable to offer touch tours, we do provide Audio Description tours that are available on our website. These guides offer an in-depth description of select objects in the permanent collection.
Service Animals
Service dogs are welcome at VMFA. Pets and emotional support animals are not allowed inside the museum.
Audio Guides
Audio tours are available onsite for selected exhibitions and for the permanent collection. Audio tours are also available on VMFA’s website on the Audio Tours page. Verbal description guides of select permanent collection objects are also available.
Deaf & Hard of Hearing
Video Transcription & Captioning
Closed captions are provided for virtual museum events, online videos, and in-gallery videos. Printed transcripts are provided for videos featured in special exhibitions and the permanent collection.
Sign Language
Sign language interpreters can be provided for guided group tours. Please provide four weeks’ notice. To book your guided tour and interpreter, please contact Tour Services at 804.340.1419 or tourservices@VMFA.museum at least four weeks in advance of your visit.
Mobility
Drop-off Area and Parking
For vehicles dropping off passengers, a drop-off area is available adjacent to the main entrance and can be accessed from N Arthur Ashe Boulevard.
Designated accessible parking is available for vehicles bearing a valid disability parking permit in the following areas:
- north side of the main museum building, adjacent to the Robinson House Virginia Tourism Center, accessible from N Arthur Ashe Boulevard (This parking area is free of charge.)
- entry level of the VMFA Parking Deck (This is a covered parking deck that can be accessed by following the museum’s front-entrance driveway from N Arthur Ashe Boulevard or by entering from the intersection of Sheppard Street and Stuart Avenue. All levels of the parking deck are accessible by elevator from the entry level, which has a flat pathway to the main entrance. Parking in the VMFA Parking Deck costs $6 per day and is free for VMFA members.)
Courtesy Wheelchairs & Wheelchair Accessibility
Manual and motorized wheelchairs are available at Coat Check at the museum’s main entrance on a first-come, first-served basis (no reservations). These assistive devices are offered free-of-charge for visitors to use on the museum campus.
VMFA’s main building, the Sculpture Garden, the Pauley Center, the Studio School, the Robinson House Virginia Tourism Center, all elevators, and all restrooms are wheelchair accessible. If you need a wheelchair upon arrival, please ask a security officer.
Other
Nursing & Bottle Feeding
Nursing and bottle feeding are welcome in all areas of the museum. Bottles must be securely covered and stored when not in use. A Mother’s Lounge is available on Level 1 near the Interactive Family Lounge.
Library Accessibility
The entrance to the VMFA Library is on Level 1 in the museum’s Atrium. The following resources are available to VMFA Library visitors:
- wheelchair-accessible reference desk and computer kiosks
- adjustable-height worktables
- handheld magnification devices
- all-in-one HD video magnifier with selective text-to-speech capabilities
- text-to-speech optical character recognition (OCR)
- 3-in-1 camera with high-performance desktop video magnifier (CCTV) featuring full HD, selective text-to-speech OCR, and magnifier
Dietary Needs
If you have special dietary needs, please phone ahead at 804.340.1576 to ask about the day’s menu in Best Café and Amuse Restaurant, or visit our web page for more information.
Your Online Experience
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts strives to continually improve the online experience for all website users. If you are unable to access website content or have suggestions to enhance the user experience, please email info@vmfa.museum or write to us:
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Attn: Communications & Marketing (Web Department)
200 N Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Richmond, Virginia 23220
