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Accessibility and Inclusion Resources and Procedures

Oklahoma History Center (OHC) Statement on Accessibility and Inclusion: The Oklahoma History Center welcomes all visitors. We recognize the diverse needs of individuals and strive to make our facility accessible for all to enjoy.

Our goal is to provide as much information as possible to guests before their visit to the OHC. Guests may view our Social Story on our webpage to prepare for their visit.
Webpage | PDF | MS PowerPoint

Points of Contact
Research Center: 405-522-5225
Admissions Desk: 405-522-0765
Education Department: 405-522-0785
Security: 405-522-0732

Parking

  • The Oklahoma History Center offers limited disability parking in the first rows of the parking lot for those who have permits.
  • Curbs into the OHC from the parking lot, sidewalk, and drop-off zone have curb ramps with painted indicators.
  • Entrance to the building has a covered roundabout allowing visitors to be dropped off close to the entrance.
  • The OHC also provides specially designated parking for military veterans.

General

  • Service dogs are welcome in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
  • First aid kits and automated external defibrillators are available at the Admissions Desk and in the Research Center.
  • The OHC staff is trained in first aid.
  • A family restroom is located on the first floor.
  • Changing tables for children are available in the first-floor family restroom, and in the men's and women's restrooms located on the third floor.
  • An adult changing table is located in the first-floor family restroom.
  • A privacy pod for nursing mothers is located on the first floor.

Mobility Impairments

  • The Oklahoma History Center is accessible to visitors in wheelchairs. All doorways and exhibits are wheelchair compatible and elevators serve all floors.
  • Wheelchairs are available at no charge on a first-come, first-served basis. They are located near the Research Center entrance.
  • All restrooms include accessible facilities.
  • Seating is available throughout the exhibit areas and the OHC campus.

Visual Impairments

  • Braille signage is installed in restrooms
  • Lighting in exhibit galleries is dimmed to protect the collections.
  • Large-print versions of exhibit labels are available at the Admissions Desk
  • Large-print keyboards, ZoomText, and reading pens are available in the Research Center.

Hearing Impairments

  • Audio tours are available with adjustable volume.
  • Printed information is available on-site.
  • Closed captioning is available on multimedia points in exhibits.

Sensory or Communication Impairments

  • A private room is available for visitors who need a quiet space. Inquire at the Admissions Desk.
  • Sensory bags, lap blankets, and wiggle seats are available to be checked out through the Admissions Desk.

Service Dogs
Service animals are welcome in the Oklahoma History Center in accordance with the ADA. Service animals are animals that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Animals whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. Service animals are allowed to accompany people with disabilities in all areas of the facility where the public is normally allowed to go.

Under the ADA, service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls.

Assistive Technology and Sensory Bags
Assistive technology is any device, software, or equipment that helps people with disabilities work around challenges so they can learn, communicate, and engage with materials and exhibits in a meaningful way.

Sensory bags containing items that can assist visitors who have sensory disorders can be checked out from the Admissions Desk. Persons with sensory processing disorders may be so severely affected by their sensory preferences that it interferes with their normal, everyday functioning. Sensory issues are usually defined as either hypersensitivity (over-responsiveness) or hyposensitivity (under-responsiveness) to sensory stimuli.

Included in the sensory bags are a set of noise-canceling headphones for those who are sensitive to sound, and a “fidget device,” which may be used by visitors who need something to occupy their hands or have a need to be touching something.

Checking Out Sensory Bags
The bags are located in the lockers just outside of the Research Center, and the keys are available to check out at the Admissions Desk. These bags are small and have shoulder straps so they can be carried easily.

  1. When a patron wishes to check out a bag, they must exchange a personal item (such as an ID or keys) for a key to a locker where the bags are stored. The patron will exchange their personal item with staff at the Admissions Desk for one locker key.
  2. Staff will direct the patron to the lockers and ask them to return the bag to the locker when finished. Staff will place the patron’s personal item in the drawer that corresponds to the key issued to the patron.
  3. When the patron checks in their locker key, the staff will exchange the locker key for the patron’s personal item.

If a person has become attached to one or more of the items and is having difficulty returning them, they may keep it as a token to remember their visit to the Oklahoma History Center. However, the headphones are an exception and must be returned.