The Thomas Jefferson Foundation is committed to providing superior customer service to all guests to Monticello. We offer a variety of services to ensure the best possible accessibility to the Monticello house, grounds and facilities in recognition of the diversity of our guests’ abilities and needs. To arrange for assistance, call (434) 984-9800, or speak with a Monticello staff member upon arrival. The Foundation offers the following resources for the assistance of visitors with disabilities:
- Wheelchair-accessible shuttle vehicles
- Wheelchairs, available on a first-come, first-served basis
- Sign Language Interpreter (available with two weeks advance notice, call 434-984-9880 or email info@monticello.org)
- iPads are available to accompany the guided tour with images and text
- Accessible Restrooms (in the David M. Rubenstein Visitor Center and in the North Wing of the main house)
- Accessible Parking Spaces
- To learn more about how we may assist, please call 434-984-9880 or email info@monticello.org
- For a site overview please consult our Map of Monticello for Visitors
Guests with Limited Mobility
The public areas of the house and much of the grounds are wheelchair accessible as are the buildings at the David M. Rubenstein Visitor Center and Smith Education Center. A wheelchair ramp provides access to the interior of the Monticello house (only the first floor and lower-level dependencies are accessible by wheelchair). All entrances in the Visitor Center are wheelchair accessible. Elevators are available to each level of the Visitor Center. Accessible shuttle buses are available from the Visitor Center to the house.
Guests in wheelchairs can explore most rooms on the first floor of the House. Wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Visitor Center Welcome Pavilion and at the house. Maneuvering into some rooms may be difficult or impossible depending on the size or model of the vehicle used. Motorized wheelchairs are permitted as long as they do not exceed the 30" dimensions of the interior doorways of the house. Guests with wheelchairs that exceed 30" will be provided with a smaller wheelchair at the house. Two wheeled scooters, powered or unpowered, including Segways, are not permitted at Monticello.
Monticello is located on a mountaintop, so not all paths are wheelchair accessible. Our Map of Monticello for Visitors provides an overview of the site. Most paths around the mountaintop are either brick or crushed gravel. Wheelchair access to Mulberry Row, site of light industry and worker housing at Monticello, is possible via a crushed gravel path from the mountaintop shuttle stop. Access to the West Lawn may require assistance, depending on the wheelchair type and/or occupant strength.
Accessible restrooms, each with a water fountain outside it, are located on the Courtyard and lower levels of the Visitor Center. Two family restrooms are located on the courtyard level immediately adjacent to the theater. Accessible restrooms are available on the mountaintop under the North Wing of the House, however, some assistance may be required to reach the restrooms from certain areas of the grounds. We recommend using the restrooms before leaving the Visitor Center. To learn more about how we may assist, please call 434-984-9880 or email info@monticello.org.
Guests with limited mobility are advised to build extra time into their schedule.
Deaf and Hard-of Hearing Guests
Sign language interpretation can be scheduled for any program with at least two weeks advance notice by calling Guest Services at (434)984-9800 or email accessibility@monticello.org. iPads with images and text are available inside the main house on the Highlights Tour. Sign Language Interpretation requests are strongly recommended for the Behind the Scenes Tours and From Slavery to Freedom Tours.
Blind and Partially Sighted Guests
A “touch tour” is currently unavailable due to COVID-19 precautions. However, this webpage will be updated when it is available again.
Service Animals
Service animals are welcome at Monticello, which follows the U.S. Department of Justice’s ADA requirements for service animals. Guests are not allowed to bring emotional support animals into the Monticello house, in buildings, or shuttle buses.
Accessible School Programs
Monticello's Education Department can adapt its curriculum based Extended Tours to address the accessibility, developmental or academic needs of all students. At least 72 hours is required in order to prepare for a group's arrival. Please discuss your groups need with the reservation manager when scheduling your visit. For information on making a reservation, call Guest Services at (434) 984-9800 or e-mail at reservations@monticello.org.