Accessibility
The Museum is committed to making its collection, buildings, programs, and services accessible to all audiences. The principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility apply to all aspects of The Met's operations, across all categories of individuals. Please see the Museum's Institutional Diversity, Inclusion, and Equal Access Policy Statement.
We encourage you to review our health and safety measures, visitor guidelines, and visitor information below to plan your visit in advance, so that you can make the most of your Met experience.
Safety Measures and Visitors with Disabilities
- Masks are strongly recommended.
- To request an accommodation based on a medical condition or disability, please email [email protected] prior to your visit.
- Wheelchair escorts for visitors who borrow a Museum wheelchair are currently unavailable.
- Please bring your own headphones or neck loop for use with assistive listening receivers.
- We recommend that visitors who are blind or partially sighted visit with a sighted companion.
For a full list of safety measures the Museum is taking to keep all visitors and staff safe and healthy, please review our Visitor Guidelines.
Visitor Accommodations at The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters
Caregivers of visitors with disabilities are admitted for free. You can obtain these tickets at a Museum ticket counter.
The Met Fifth Avenue
The Museum parking garage is located at Fifth Avenue and 80th Street.
Designated spaces are available in the parking garage for disabled parking permit holders. The clearance is six feet, six inches (6' 6"). Alternate arrangements can be made in advance for visitors with disabilities traveling in oversized vehicles. Please call 212-570-1437 for more information.
Visit this link for more information about parking.
The Met Cloisters
Two designated parking spaces in the public parking area facing the front of The Met Cloisters are available for disabled parking permit holders.
The Met Fifth Avenue
Accessible entrances are located at Fifth Avenue and 81st Street and through the parking garage at Fifth Avenue and 80th Street.
The Met Cloisters
Accessibility at The Met Cloisters is somewhat limited for wheelchair users and others who need step-free access due to the building’s landmark status. From the main entrance to the admissions desk there are approximately 60 stairs as well as smaller staircases and cobblestones when exiting the Museum. A free shuttle service is available to visitors requiring step-free access to enter the building. The pick-up stop is located near the Postern entrance (see Museum Map) and will transport visitors to and from an accessible entrance inside the Museum’s courtyard.
The Met Fifth Avenue
The Museum is accessible to wheelchair users and others who need to avoid stairs. Some galleries may be closed to achieve social distance. Ask staff if you need assistance locating elevators or step-free routes.
To maintain social distance, there may be lines to enter the Museum, to visit an exhibition, or in other locations. If you are unable to stand in line, please speak to a staff member.
Seating throughout the Museum will be reduced to ensure social distance. Priority seating is designated in some areas.
The Met Cloisters
Accessibility at The Met Cloisters is somewhat limited for wheelchair users and others who need step-free access due to the building’s landmark status. From the main entrance to the admissions desk there are approximately 60 stairs as well as smaller staircases and cobblestones when exiting the Museum. A free shuttle service is available to visitors requiring step-free access to enter the building. The pick-up stop is located near the Postern entrance (see Museum Map) and will transport visitors to and from an accessible entrance inside the Museum’s courtyard.
The Met Fifth Avenue
Visitors with disabilities may use mobility devices, including manual and electric wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and manually powered mobility aids (such as walkers, canes, and crutches) in all areas open to public pedestrian use. You may also use certain electronic personal assistance mobility devices (EPAMDs) in areas open to public pedestrian use in accordance with Museum guidelines. Please contact [email protected] or 212-650-2010 for guidelines and to make a reservation.
Visitors may borrow manual wheelchairs (standard and wide) from the coat check at the 81st Street entrance on a first-come, first-served basis. Wheelchairs are cleaned after each use. Our wheelchair escort service is currently suspended due to COVID-19. If you plan to borrow a Museum wheelchair and need assistance, please visit with a companion.
The Met Cloisters
A limited number of wheelchairs is available for use free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. Wheelchairs are cleaned after each use.
The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters
Service dogs are welcome at both Museum locations. Pets and emotional support animals are not allowed in the Museum.
The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters
Hearing loops are installed at all Ticketing and Information Desks in the Great Hall and Burke Hall in the Uris Center for Education at The Met Fifth Avenue. Information Desks may not be staffed in order to achieve social distancing.
Look for signage about assistive listening options in exhibitions with audio components. Please use your own headphones and neck loops, if possible.
There are currently no tours, programs, or events at either Museum location.
The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters
No printed materials are available in the Museum, including Maps and large-print label booklets. Download the Map and other information on our website to enhance your visit in advance.
Labels for select exhibitions are available on the website. Download in advance or see signage in the Museum.
Look for Wi-Fi hotspot signage in the Museum.
Closed captions are available for most virtual Museum events and online features and resources. If you require Real-Time captioning for live virtual events, contact us at least two weeks in advance (subject to the availability of captioners). We can have videos without captions on our website captioned upon request. See contact information below.
See the schedule of events for programs presented in American Sign Language.
American Sign Language interpretation is available for virtual Museum events and online resources with two weeks' notice, subject to the availability of interpreters. See contact information below.
Verbal or audio description is available for virtual Museum events and online resources with two weeks' notice. See contact information below.
For more information or to request any of the accommodations listed above, please call us at 212-650-2010 (voice) or email [email protected].
The Met is committed to facilitating accessibility and usability of its website, https://www.metmuseum.org, for all people with disabilities. We are working to implement digital accessibility standards in accordance with the World Wide Web Consortium’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA and the revised 508 Standards developed by the United States Access Board. Our efforts to create an optimally accessible digital experience are ongoing. If you have specific questions or concerns about the accessibility of a particular web page on https://www.metmuseum.org, please contact us at [email protected]. To report a website accessibility issue, please specify the web page in your e-mail, and we will make all reasonable efforts to make that page accessible for you.