Accessibility & Amenities

The Carle strives to be a welcoming and comfortable place for all of our visitors. The Museum received a Universal Participation (UP) designation from the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) in 2019. To learn more, visit MCC UP Network. For access information not found here please email info@carlemuseum.org or call 413-559-6301. 

Assisted Listening Devices

Headsets and a loop system are available in the auditorium. Please stop at the admissions desk to request a device. When available, films are subtitled.

Café

The Carle does not have a restaurant, but our spacious Carle Café eating area offers a Berkshire Naturals vending machine, stocked with healthy snacks. Visitors are welcome to bring food to eat in the Carle Café or at an outside picnic spot. Atkins Farms Country Market, a local grocery store less than a quarter of a mile away, sells salads, soups, and sandwiches. Esselon Café, a ten-minute drive from the Museum, is a popular lunch restaurant. 

Cleaning & Ventilation

The Carle is professionally cleaned daily when open to the public. Our high-quality HVAC system has been adjusted for maximum ventilation throughout the building. 

Glasses for Color Blindness

The Carle is the first art museum in Massachusetts to offer eyewear by EnChroma® to visitors with color blindness so they may experience the Museum’s picture book art in clear, vibrant color. EnChroma glasses enable people with red-green color blindness to see an expanded range of color and enjoy enhanced detail and depth perception.

Eight pairs of eyewear are available, including glasses for both children and adults, indoor and outdoor use, and pairs adapted to fit over eyeglasses.  

Medical Needs

Visitors are welcome to bring a large medical bag into the galleries if needed. Please check in with guest services at the admissions desk.

Mobility  

The Carle is on one level and accessible by wheelchairs in all areas. 

• Power-assist doors are located at the Museum’s main entrance and gallery entrance.                  
• A power-assist door and paved pathway leads outside to Bobbie’s Meadow.  
• There is a wheelchair-accessible picnic table. 
• Manual wheelchairs, walkers, and strollers are available free of charge.  To reserve wheelchairs or accessible seats in our auditorium, please call 413-559-6301. 

Parking

There are four accessible parking spaces in the Museum’s parking lot, including one van space. Parking is free. 

Personal care attendants

Admission is free for personal care attendants. 

Public Transportation 

Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) buses makes stops in Amherst. Some buses stop at Hampshire College, right next to the Museum or nearby at Atkins Farms Market. 

Restrooms

The Carle has accessible male, female, and non-gender bathrooms each with multiple stalls and changing tables. 

Seating

The Great Hall, Reading Library, Art Studio, Café, and Galleries all offer seating.  

Sensory Needs and KultureCity®

The Carle has partnered with KultureCity® to enhance our ability to assist and accommodate guests with sensory needs. Our goal is to provide an inclusive experience for all guests during all events. We strive to raise awareness of the needs and challenges faced by individuals with sensory processing needs by supplying our staff with annual training and by offering the resources and accommodations below to our guests.

• KultureCity® Sensory bags - KultureCity® Sensory bags containing special KCVIP badges, feeling thermometer, fidget tools, and noise-canceling headphones are available for checkout (at no cost by leaving an ID) at the Admissions Desk. Sensory bags can be used for all abilities of all ages.
• Weighted Lap Pad - A weighted lap pads is available upon request (at no cost by leaving an ID) at the Admissions Desk.
• Quiet Areas - Quiet areas are located at the Auditorium, Courtyard, and Barbara Elleman Research Library (BERL). 
• Headphone Zones - Headphone zones (loud areas) are located at The Great Hall and Café.
• Social Story and KultureCity® App - Download the KultureCity® App to get your social story to help you further with your visit to The Carle:

Service Dogs

Trained service dogs are permitted: 

• A service dog must be on a leash and under the control of the owner/handler. 
• A service dog must be house trained. The owner/handler is responsible for the cleanup of any accidents the dog has and should have the necessary cleaning supplies on hand. 
• If a service dog shows disruptive behavior, the owner/handler will be asked to remove the dog from the Museum.