Special Needs
The Virginia Living Museum strives to accommodate all visitors with special needs. Below is a listing of current options and services.
Mobility
All of the Museum’s public areas and classrooms are accessible to wheelchair users and to other visitors who cannot use stairs.
Wheelchairs, mobility scooters and baby strollers are available at no charge through the Admissions Desk on a first-come, first-served basis.
Restrooms
All restrooms are handicapped accessible.
A family restroom is available on the main floor near the Wild Side Café.
Languages
Museum maps are available in several languages including Spanish and Chinese.
Some changing exhibits have signage in both English and Spanish.
A Spanish Audio Tour on an mp3 player with handset is available free of charge and can be checked out at the admission desk. It provides a walking Spanish tour throughout the museum.
The tours were made possible by the 2015 Spanish Classes at Grafton High School under the supervision of Josie Sevilla. Ms. Sevilla secured mp3 players through a grant and her students researched and recorded the tours as a service to the museum. Visitors may REQUEST TOURS at the admissions desk or enjoy them now.
- Walking Audio Tour in Spanish
Mp3 Player
Spanish Audio Tours
Introduction
Coastal Plain Aviary
Cypress Swamp
Children’s Area
Observatory
Living Green House
Planetarium
Appalachian Mountain Cove
Coastal Plain Gallery
Conservation Garden
Piedmont and Mountains Gallery
Virginia’s World of Darkness
Virginia’s Underground Gallery
Wild & Well Play Area
For more information call 757-595-1900. For group tours with special needs call 757-595-9135 or email Reservations.
Vision
Museum specimens and other items in four Discovery Centers are of particular interest to visitors with low vision.
Braille guides to items in the Discovery Centers are available for loan at the Admissions Desk.
Hearing
A video introduction to the museum in American Sign Language for our deaf guests can be viewed here. The video was developed by VLM volunteer Loren Hepp as a Girl Scout Gold Award project. Signing by VLM Volunteer Mayah Bell.
Service Animals
The Museum welcomes companion service dogs. They are the only animals allowed on Museum property.
Autism
Visitors with autistic family members are encouraged to visit in the mid to late afternoon or early Saturday morning when the Museum is less crowded.
A quiet room is available on the main floor near the Wild Side Café.
The boardwalk and garden areas offer calming areas for visitors.
Descriptions of programs at the Abbitt Planetarium are available on the Planetarium Shows page and at the Admissions Desk.
The Virginia Living Museum has a partnership with the Peninsula School for Autism to develop programs and volunteer opportunities for people with autism.
Dietary
The Wild Side Café’s menu features vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free items.
For additional special needs, please contact the café in advance.