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Accessibility

Accessibility

KHS Statement on Accessibility  

The Kentucky Historical Society provides accommodations to ensure all guests have access to our programs, services, website, and campus, including our historic buildings. Our goal is to create a welcoming and navigable environment to meet the various needs of patrons. If you have questions or concerns before you visit, please contact the Visitor Services Department at 502-564-1792 or KHSvisitor@ky.gov.  

Mobility 

Accessibility features can be found throughout the Kentucky Historical Society campus, including but not limited to: 

  • Entrance ramps and designated handicap parking (see map for details)
  • Elevators
  • Free, manual wheelchair loans (available on a first-come, first-serve basis)
  • External, automatic door openers at the History Center 

Digital Inclusion 

  • Our website can be adjusted to meet users' needs by selecting the handicap icon in the bottom left-hand corner of the site.

  • Audio/Visual components of our exhibits and facilities include closed captioning.

  • Guests visiting the History Center’s Brown-Forman Room may request audio-assistive devices for programming utilizing the PA system. 

Personal Care Assistants 

Licensed Personal Care Therapists and Assistants are welcome at the Kentucky Historical Society campus and can enjoy free admission when accompanying their clients! Clients pay the regular admission fee. To take advantage of the free entry, therapists and assistants must show their employee badge from a licensed facility.

Sensory Backpacks 

To provide a comfortable museum experience for all visitors, sensory backpacks are available for loan at the welcome desk of the History Center on a first-come, first-serve basis. Our backpacks include a weighted plush, noise-reducing headphones, sunglasses, and more to help those of all ages with various sensory and neuro-diverse needs experience the museum. 

Vision Services 

  • Large print gallery guides & maps are available upon request at the front desk of all our sites (coming soon)

  • Wayfinding signage in Braille, in accordance with ADA standards, is located at restrooms, elevators, and entrances

  • Some displays, exhibits, and programs include tactile elements to broaden the visitor experience

  • Old State Capitol self-guided audio tour is available to stream on any personal device and includes digital historic images

Hearing Impairment

  • Audio/Visual components of our exhibits and facilities include closed captioning

  • For guided tours, KHS can provide an American Sign Language interpreter (please allow 4 weeks' notice; contact khsvisitor@ky.gov for details)

Language Translations 

Our museum guides have been translated into both Spanish and Japanese, and are available at the Visitors Desk of the History Center, or for download below: 

Rest Areas & Quiet Space 

  • Benches and chairs are located across our campus, including our historic buildings, and galleries, to make your visit more comfortable

  • Accommodations for a quiet space or room for nursing parents are available at the History Center upon request

Service Animals 

Service animals and those in training are welcome in the public spaces of the museum. Due to the unique nature of our facilities and collections, some areas may have restrictions. Animals not trained to do specific tasks for an individual are not considered “Services Animals” under the ADA. Animals denoted as “emotional support, comfort, companion or therapy animals” or otherwise named are NOT permitted on the museum property. Please visit the Americans with Disabilities Act website for more information on requirements for service animals.

Sensory Programming  

The Kentucky Historical Society offers several sensory-friendly programs throughout the year. If you have questions regarding the accessibility of our other programs, please feel free to reach out to us. For more details, visit our events page, and be sure to sign up for the KHS Insider to stay updated on all our upcoming programming.

Autism Friendly Partner

KHS is a proud Autism Friendly Business Initiative (AFBI) partner. AFBI is a training program designed by Families for Effective Autism Treatment (FEAT) to build a community of local businesses that are dedicated to the inclusion of people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in all aspects of life. 

KHS has deepened our commitment as an Autism Friendly Business by making small modifications/adjustments to our premises to improve access to those with autism. For more information click here.