Accessibility
The Whitney invites visitors to experience the richness and complexity of American art in an inclusive, welcoming environment. Visitors with disabilities receive a discounted rate and admission for one care partner is included for free.
Learn more about Access Programs for people with disabilities.
Review our Access Policy for visitors with disabilities.
Wheelchair Access
Getting here
Download a map of the area surrounding the Museum, highlighting accessible pathways from public transportation, parking facilities, and the High Line.
Due to ongoing construction, some streets and sidewalks may not be accessible.
Access-a-Ride
The New York City MTA offers drop-off and pick-up service from the Whitney Museum on the corner of Washington and Gansevoort Street.
Entrance
The accessible path to the Whitney’s main entrance at 99 Gansevoort Street runs from Washington Street along the south side of the building, past the Museum's restaurant on the ground floor. The Rudin Family Entrance at 555 West Street is also accessible.
Wheelchair availability
Manual wheelchairs are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis at the admissions desk on Floor 1 or at the coat check.
Restrooms
Accessible restrooms are located on Floors -1, 3, 7, and 8. Single user/all-gender restrooms are located on Floors -1, 3, and 8.
Galleries
All levels of the Museum are accessible by elevator. Doorways to outdoor terraces are equipped with automatic openers.
The accessible path to the Whitney’s main entrance runs alongside the Museum, just north of the Largo stairs. Photograph by Ben Gancsos
A service dog on the fifth-floor terrace. Photograph by Filip Wolak
Active military and veterans
The Museum offers complimentary admission to active members and veterans of the United States military with valid identification, and to military families with dependent cards. Please book tickets through the affiliate admissions page.
Visitors with Disabilities
Visitors with disabilities pay a discounted price for admission and tickets include free admission for one care partner. Select this option on the ticketing page.
Service animals
Service animals are welcome at the Whitney.
Social narrative
To prepare for your visit, check out this social narrative designed for visitors on the autism spectrum.
Assistive listening systems
Floor 1: Service locations at the admissions desk and membership desk are equipped with induction hearing loops that transmit sound directly to hearing aids equipped with a T-coil.
Hess Theater, Floor 3: The Hess Theater is equipped with an induction hearing loop and infrared assistive listening system. Please switch your hearing aid to “T” or request a receiver from a member of the Museum staff.
Laurie M. Tisch Education Center, Floor 3: The Hearst Artspace and the Seminar Room are equipped with induction hearing loops and infrared assistive listening systems. Please switch your hearing aid to “T” or request a receiver from a member of the Museum staff.
In the galleries: The Kaufman Gallery (Floor 5) is equipped with an induction hearing loop. To use, please switch your hearing aid to “T.”
ASL Mobile Guide tour
This engaging video tour explores iconic highlights from the Whitney’s collection in American Sign Language with closed captioning. The Mobile Guide is available for free online.
Verbal and audio descriptions
Verbal and audio descriptions are available for select works on view on the Mobile Guide. Visit the archive to listen to verbal and audio descriptions from past shows.
Synchronous mobile captioning
Synchronous mobile captioning is available for select video and sound works on view by scanning a QR code in the galleries with your mobile device, or by accessing the Mobile Guide. Many video works on view also have open captions.
Transcripts
Transcripts are available for audio and video works with sound in the Access section of the Mobile Guide.
Installation view of Madeline Hollander: Flatwing (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, March 25, 2021–August 8, 2021). Photograph by Ryan Lowry
Services Available By Request
American Sign Language interpretation
ASL-English interpretation is available for public programs and events upon request with five business days advance notice. To place a request, please contact us at accessfeedback@whitney.org or (646) 666-5574 (voice). Relay and voice calls welcome.
Braille
Please email accessfeedback@whitney.org or call (646) 666-5574 to request English language publications in Braille. Please provide two weeks advance notice for Braille requests.
Live captioning
Live captioning is available for public programs and events upon request with five business days advance notice. We will make every effort to provide accommodation for requests made outside of that window of time. To place a request, please contact us at accessfeedback@whitney.org or (646) 666-5574 (voice). Relay and voice calls welcome.
Verbal Description
Verbal Description is available for public programs and events upon request with two weeks advance notice. Please be advised that this accommodation is contingent upon the availability of describers. To place a request, please contact us at accessfeedback@whitney.org or (646) 666-5574 (voice). Relay and voice calls welcome.
Contact Us
If you have access-related questions or feedback about your visit to the Whitney, please contact us at accessfeedback@whitney.org or (646) 666-5574.