Accessibility
Fernbank strives to be accessible to everyone while maintaining the health and safety of our guests and staff. If you have suggestions on how to make the museum more accessible, please contact us at Guest.Services@FernbankMuseum.org.
WildWoods: AGLOW Accessibility
- WildWoods: AGLOW, including all pathways, is ADA-accessible. The terrain of WildWoods includes boardwalk/deck, mulched walkways, concrete, pea gravel and stairs. Guests can follow a modified route or retrace pathways in any areas that may involve mobility considerations.
- This experience features lights that may trigger a seizure in those with photosensitive epilepsy. While WildWoods: AGLOW does not contain rapidly flashing lights, it does feature subtle lights and laser projection.
- WildWoods: AGLOW is an outdoor seasonal experience that can be affected by weather, including rain or cold temperatures. Please plan and dress accordingly, including appropriate outdoor footwear. Some cold weather and rain gear is available in the museum store.
Mobility
- All experiences inside the museum and within WildWoods are ADA-accessible. However, due to the steep inclines and natural, sometimes rugged, terrain of Fernbank Forest, many trails are not ADA accessible.
- The outdoor WildWoods pathways provide ADA-accessible experiences in nature among the trees, plants, birds (and other animals), creek and exhibits. Some areas have steps that guests can retrace the previous path to avoid while still reaching the same destination.
- A limited number of complimentary wheelchairs are available for guests needing assistance. Please ask a Fernbank staff member for assistance getting a wheelchair upon arrival.
- A limited number of accessible parking spaces are available in the main parking lot. A guest drop-off/pickup area is located near the main entrance.
- The entrance to the museum features accessible, automated doors.
- The 2nd floor entrance to the Giant Screen Theater (from the Lobby) is wheelchair accessible. Please see a theater attendant to locate one of the six accessible seating areas in the theater.
- An elevator is located just past the lobby toward the right side of the museum.
Assistive Technology Resources for the Giant Screen Theater
- Fernbank has a limited number of complimentary assistive listening, closed captioning and descriptive narration devices available on a first-come, first-served basis. These devices must be requested in person at the Box Office at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the movie. For large parties, please call in advance.
- Assisted listening devices include neckloops and headsets that offer adjustable volume control with amplified audio of the movie and sound effects, as well as closed captioning devices with an easy-to-read display.
- Descriptive narration headsets feature adjustable volume control, which describes the visual setting and action. Full movie audio and sound effects are amplified as well.
- All assistive technology devices are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between each use.
Special Programs
- Fernbank offers a series of Sensory Mornings throughout the year. During these events, the museum opens an hour early and features several modified experiences. Learn More.
Social Narrative
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Fernbank’s Social Narrative provides a guide on what to expect during a visit, including information on exhibit spaces, our giant screen theater and outdoor areas. Learn More.
Language Accommodations
- Foreign language maps are available in the Front Lobby. Maps are available in Chinese (Mandarin), Chinese (Taiwanese), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish and Vietnamese.
Low Vision Accommodations - beginning Oct. 3, 2024
Fernbank is excited to share that we are a ReBokeh All Access Location!
- What is ReBokeh All Access?
ReBokeh is a visual accessibility tool that you can access directly from your iPhone or iPad, that lets you use your device like a digital magnifier and distance viewing device in one! You can add contrast adjustments, make a scene look brighter with enhanced exposure, adjust colors, access image descriptions from AI and more, to make the most of your vision and accomplish visual tasks independently. - ReBokeh All Access means that while you are on-site at Fernbank, you will automatically have access to the premium tier of ReBokeh’s capabilities for free! Just make sure your location services are turned on, and all features will unlock automatically. You won’t even need to set up an account while you are onsite.
- How Do I Access this Resource?
Simply download the ReBokeh app from the iOS App Store here.
Want to learn more about how ReBokeh can be used? You can find a brief video tutorial here.
Restrooms
- All-gender, private restrooms are available on the 3rd Floor of the museum outside of the Naturalist Center (specific location noted on Visitor Map).
- Nursing and feeding stations are available on the 3rd Floor inside the Naturalist Center and the women's restroom near NatureQuest.
- Changing stations are available in most restrooms.
Service Animals
- Service animals are welcome in the museum, WildWoods and Fernbank Forest.
Fernbank is a nonprofit natural history museum, giant screen theater and old-growth forest, and is not affiliated with Fernbank Science Center, which operates as a division of DeKalb County Schools.
