Canadian Museum of History aims to be welcoming and accessible for all. The Museum offers features and services meant to support a satisfying visit for visitors with disabilities. If you would like more information or have requirements that are not addressed below, please contact the Museum.
To learn more about the Museum’s Accessibility Plan, read this electronic version. This version works with assistive technology.
Museum admission
- Admission is free for one person accompanying a visitor with a disability to the Museum. The complimentary attendant tickets are not available online and may be obtained in person or by phone.
- To reserve an attendant ticket please visit the on-site Box Office or call 819-776-7000 (TTY for people with hearing disabilities: 819-776-7003).
Children and families
The Museum strives to ensure that families and children have a safe, comfortable and enjoyable visit. The Museum offers features and services meant to support a satisfying visit for visitors with disabilities. If you would like more information or have requirements that are not addressed below, please contact the Museum.
Accessible parking and drop-off
- The Museum’s paid indoor parking garage has eight spaces reserved for accessible parking permit holders, available on level P1.
- The parking spots reserved for vehicles with accessible permits are 4.7 metres wide.
- The height of vehicles using the indoor parking garage must be 1.93 metres (6 feet 4 inches) or less.
- The Museum is accessible from the parking garage using an elevator, escalator or staircase.
- Additional outdoor metered parking is available on nearby public streets or public lots, subject to availability.
- Vehicles may stop in front of the Museum’s main entrance on Ceremonial Drive to pick up or drop off visitors. Parking is not permitted in this area.
- There are automated entry doors at the main entrance to the Museum.
Wheelchairs, strollers and assistive devices
- The Canadian Museum of History is wheelchair-accessible, and wheelchairs, strollers and scooters are permitted in all areas of the Museum.
- All levels are connected by elevator, and ramps exist where required.
- A limited number of wheelchairs, ear defenders, strollers and walkers are available at no charge. To reserve in advance, please click here or inquire at Information.
Elevator access
- The exhibitions at the Canadian Museum of History are spread across four levels.
- All levels of the Museum are accessible by elevators.
- The elevator buttons indicate the floor numbers in Braille.
- Explore the Canadian Museum of History Museum Guide to plan your visit further.
Public washrooms
- Public washrooms, including accessible washrooms, are located on all levels of the Museum.
- Baby change tables are available in all washrooms.
- In addition, there are accessible, private, all-gender washrooms located in the Main Lobby, the Canadian History Hall, and the Canadian Children’s Museum, which can accommodate an attendant if required.
- Please note, the Museum does not currently have an adult change table.
Service animals
- Service animals are welcome in the Museum.
- Visitors bringing a service animal without visible identification should be prepared to present appropriate documentation from a healthcare provider at Information.
- We request that visitors with non-traditional service animals contact the Museum in advance of their visit.
Sounds and lighting
- The Museum’s exhibitions are immersive, multi-sensory environments.
- Sound effects are used in several areas. These include period music, voices, and other similar sounds. Some sounds play continuously, while others can be controlled by the user.
- Visitors are welcome to wear noise-cancelling headphones during their visit. Ear defenders are also available for reservation (click here) or upon arrival at Information.
- Exhibition lighting is lower than natural daytime lighting. This is to protect artifacts. There are no strobe or flashing lights in the ongoing exhibitions.
- Natural lighting is brightest in the following spaces: the Canadian Children’s Museum, the Grand Hall.
- Spaces that are generally quieter include: the Canadian Stamp Collection, First Peoples Hall.
- For information about sounds and lighting in the Museum’s special exhibitions, please contact the Museum.
Assistive technology
- For visitors who use hearing aids, the Museum offers an induction loop system in the CINÉ+ theatre.
- This service is also available for many of our special events. Please contact the Museum for more information.
Eating at the Museum
- Breastfeeding is permitted throughout the Museum.
- Visitors are permitted to use feeding tubes and machines when required throughout the Museum.
- Other food and beverages are not permitted inside exhibition spaces.
Visitors are permitted to bring outside food to eat at the Museum in designated areas, including the Main Lobby and the cafeteria. - There are a limited number of tables and chairs available for visitors near the CINÉ+ theatre.
- Please note the Museum does not have a refrigerator or microwave available for visitors.
- As the Museum does not control food that is brought by visitors, there may be a presence of peanuts or other allergens.
- The Museum has a café and full-service cafeteria available. Information on hours of operation can be found here.
On-site and virtual tours, programs, and events
- The Museum offers American Sign Language (ASL) and Quebec Sign Language (LSQ) interpretation for on-site and virtual tours and programs upon request. We request 15 business days’ notice to coordinate. To request an interpreter, please contact us for more information.
- To discuss other accommodation requests, please contact the Museum.