Inspiration
Accessible Connecticut — Welcoming to All Abilities
Connecticut is filled with things to discover, from natural places to explore to cultural treasures to enjoy. And it’s important to our state that as many as possible of our hotels, attractions and experiences are open to as many visitors as possible. That’s why we’re working to reduce barriers and create new experiences designed to welcome visitors with disabilities, their families and friends. From wheelchair access to sensory-friendly events, here are just a few of the places in Connecticut already offering programs and services dedicated to welcoming guests of all ages and abilities.
Museums, Attractions & Theaters
- Connecticut Science Center, Hartford
Accessible space with services including listening devices and tactile displays, interactive displays accessible from a wheelchair, and more
- Hartford Stage, Hartford
Providing guests with accessible theater entry, seating, parking, restrooms, and emergency evacuation assistance; assistive listening devices; and open-captioned and audio-described performances. Learn more.
- Lake Compounce, Bristol
America’s oldest continuously operating theme park offers alternative access to rides, hearing impairment accommodations, wheelchair/electric scooter rentals, and special assigned wait times for visitors for whom waiting in line may be especially challenging. Learn more.
- Mystic Seaport Museum, Mystic
You’ll find accessible buildings, restrooms, and roads throughout the Seaport, as well as reduced admission for some special needs visitors. Learn more.
- Mystic Aquarium, Mystic
The Aquarium is fully wheelchair-accessible with buildings and grounds designed to provide access and a quality experience for guests with special needs. Learn more.
- Mashantucket Pequot Museum, Mashantucket
In addition to being accessible to wheelchairs, this museum offers a system for visually impaired visitors including an audio guide, interpretation, and hands-on exploration.
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Prospector Theater, Ridgefield
Not only does this first-run cinema hire employees with disabilities, but they also hold special Sensory Screenings for guests. Learn more. - New England Air Museum, East Granby
Wheelchair accessible, with wheelchairs, including a power wheelchair, available for rent. Learn more.
- Yale Repertory Theatre, New Haven
Yale Rep offers their guests the most comprehensive accessibility services program. They include audio description, touch tours, open captioning, wheelchair and accessible entrances and seating, assistive listening devices, Braille program, and large print program. Learn more.
Active Experiences
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Ski Sundown, New Hartford
Adaptive ski lessons are offered for hearing and vision-impaired skiers, as well as those with developmental and physical disabilities. -
High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Old Lyme
Providing therapeutic horseback riding experiences for people with cognitive, physical, and emotional disabilities. -
New England Science & Sailing, Stonington
Offer adaptive sailing programs bring the fun and therapeutic qualities of sailing to individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities.
In addition, Connecticut is home to many summer camps that cater to kids with disabilities, including Camp Hemlocks in Hebron. And there are also programs including Leaps of Faith, an organization in Sandy Hook that offers adaptive skiing and water skiing for individuals with disabilities.
For those looking for adaptive sporting activities, Connecticut has much to offer. From basketball and golf to skiing, karate, dance, and more, find adaptive sports at the spots below.
Accessibility for All
Accessibility for All is a collaboration of eleven attractions in Fairfield County, committed to providing outstanding experiences and services to all guests. The following attractions are working to make visits easier for guests with intellectual, sensory and physical challenges.
Norwalk: Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk and Stepping Stones Museum for Children
Westport: Earthplace
Fairfield: Connecticut Audubon Society
Bridgeport: Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo and Discovery Museum
Stamford: Stamford Museum & Nature Center
Greenwich: Audubon Greenwich and Bruce Museum
Ridgefield: Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum
Newtown: EverWonder Children's Museum
Connecticut State Parks & Campgrounds
The majority of Connecticut state parks provide accessible restroom facilities. Additionally, many of the bathhouse facilities at state campgrounds have an individual, unisex bath addition on the buildings. The unisex bathroom enables a child or an adult to get assistance from any parent or partner.
Campgrounds with accessible restrooms include:
• American Legion State Forest, Barkhamsted
• Black Rock State Park, Thomaston
• Hammonasset Beach State Park, Madison
• Kettletown State Park, Southbury
• Lake Waramaug State Park, New Preston
• Rocky Neck State Park, Niantic
And you can even find wheelchair accessible viewing spots for some of Connecticut’s top waterfalls too!
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