The Guide to Accessibility in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is one of the most accessible cities in the world. Read on for our guide to accessibility services at LAX, Metro, and attractions and venues across the city.

Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) is committed to serving travelers with disabilities and provides numerous services at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), including wheelchairs and ground transportation. LAWA has created a dedicated page designed to assist travelers with disabilities to plan and prepare for their travels as well as to navigate the airport upon arrival. For more information, visit the LAWA website.

As LAX ramps up work on its $14.3-billion modernization program, the airport has launched LAX-it, a convenient, amenity-rich, centralized area for guests to pick up a taxi or rideshare app service, and avoid traffic in the Central Terminal Area (CTA). Opened in October 2019, LAX-it will remain in service until the Automated People Mover opens in 2023. LAX-it will only be for pickups - rideshare app and taxi drivers will continue to drop off passengers at the terminal curbs on the Upper/Departures Level.

LAX-it is located just east of Terminal 1, at the corner of World Way and Sky Way - it's a short distance from many terminals or accessible via a dedicated shuttle. LAX-it reimagines the pickup process for taxis, Uber, Lyft and Opoli with additional amenities such as restrooms, benches, umbrellas for sun and rain protection, and local food trucks. LAX-it also offers cellphone charging stations and Wi-Fi. Dedicated staff at LAX-it will provide passenger assistance and lane management on site.

The shuttles operate in a dedicated lane on the lower/arrivals level where they won't compete with other airport traffic and will take guests from any terminal to the new pickup area. Shuttles come every 3 to 5 minutes during peak hours. They will make a maximum of 2 stops before heading to LAX-it. LAX staff will be available at each shuttle stop to help with wayfinding, questions, luggage loading and assistance for guests with disabilities.

The new shuttles and LAX-it are designed with accessibility in mind and go beyond regulatory compliance to be ADA-friendly. All LAX-it shuttles are ADA accessible with low floors (no stairs) and feature wheelchair ramps for those who need them. Customer service agents at each shuttle stop are trained to offer (and call) the LAWA ADA shuttle or to provide assistance to board the ADA compliant LAX-it shuttle if they prefer. At LAX-it, crosswalks are built at grade, restrooms allow for easy access without ramps, and an adult-changing station is available on site.

For more information about accessibility, visit the LAX-it website.

Metro strives to ensure that its services (including more than 200 bus and rail routes) are fully accessible to all of its riders, including those with disabilities.

Metro buses and rail systems can accommodate all types of wheelchairs, as well as hearing, mobility and visual aids such as Braille-encoded and large-type “Metro Flash Books” for signaling the correct bus. In addition, Metro offers reduced fares to passengers with disabilities.

New Metro buses transitioning into service have been carefully designed with special attention to accessibility features. New equipment and design features ensure accessibility for customers with disabilities – but Metro has moved beyond the minimum ADA requirements to provide exceptional service to customers with disabilities.

On the new buses, customers using wheelchairs now can choose to ride in either a forward-facing or rear-facing direction.

• Forward-facing wheelchair position uses the latest equipment for quick and easy 3-point securement
• For FREE expertly installed wheelchair marking or securement straps, placed in the correct wheelchair frame securement locations, call Metro’s accessibility partner at 213-922-8800 for an appointment
• For even quicker boarding, try the rear-facing position. A barrier allows customers using wheelchairs to ride safely without securement; Metro recommends using the anti-tip belt and setting the brake when using this position.

For more information, visit the Riders with Disabilities section of the Metro website.

Access Paratransit is a curb-to-curb shared-ride service that operates on the same schedule as most buses. The service is available for any ADA paratransit eligible individual to any location within ¾ of a mile of any fixed bus operated by LA County public fixed route bus operators, and within ¾ of a mile around Metro Rail stations during the hours that the systems are operational.

Regular service is offered from 4am to midnight, seven days a week. One-way fare is based on the distance you travel with a maximum fare of $3.50 (except in Antelope and Santa Clarita Valleys). NOTE: Access may not be able to transport a wheelchair or mobility device larger than 30” wide and 48” long and weighing more than 600 lbs when occupied.

For more information, visit the Access Services website.

Following are just a few of LA's most popular attractions and venues that provide disability access services. For more information, contact individual locations or visit their respective websites.

Walt Disney Concert Hall - The spectacular home of the LA Phil offers seating for patrons in wheelchairs (and their companions) on all levels. Escorted wheelchair transport is available to and from the venue. Reservations are necessary, call (213) 972-0777 at least 24 hours in advance. NOTE: ushers may not physically assist patrons wishing to transfer into theater seats.

WDCH is equipped with a Sennheiser Infrared Sound Listening System. Wireless headsets are available free of charge, or patrons may bring their own compatible headsets. Complimentary large-print programs are available in the lobby. Upon request, ushers will read program notes to patrons needing assistance.

STAPLES Center - Located at L.A. LIVE, STAPLES Center has met or exceeded ADA requirements and California accessibility mandates. Services include assistive listening devices (ALD), accessible seating on all levels, real-time captioning, Sensory Safety Kits, signed performances at select concerts, complimentary wheelchair escorts, and wheelchair/scooter storage. For more info, read the arena's online Accessibility Guide.

Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum - During the Coliseum's recent $315-million renovation, several significant updates were made to make the landmark stadium more accessible and accommodating for all guests. Highlights include increased number of accessible seats, in-seat service, priority lines up until 30 minutes before kickoff, closed captioning, ALDs, and free wheelchair transport. Assistance is available upon request at all entry gates.

Banc of California Stadium - The state-of-the-art home pitch of LAFC has been designed and built to meet or exceed ADA requirements. Services include wheelchair escorts and storage, ALDs, captioning services and devices, and interpretation services (requires at least two-week lead time).

California Science Center - All spaces in the California Science Center are wheelchair accessible. Free manual wheelchairs are available at the Information Desk on a first-come, first-served basis for use inside the CSC. Guest Services Hosts can provide visual descriptions of gallery highlights - 10 days advance notice is highly recommended. Large-print copies of select traveling exhibits are available at the entrance. For guests that visited the recent Dogs! A Science Tail exhibit, a free visual description app was available for download in the App Store.

Free closed captioning and ALDs in English are available for all current IMAX films. Sensory-friendly IMAX screenings of Backyard Wilderness 3D, Superpower Dogs 3D and Apollo11: First Steps Edition provide a warm welcome to guests who need a little less stimulating environment and the opportunity to move around during the film. For more info about these screenings, contact CSC at 4info@cscmail.org.

Dodger Stadium - The Los Angeles Dodgers offer a courtesy ADA shuttle that operates from the various parking lots to the areas near the entry gates. To arrange for this service once you have parked, call the Dodger Hotline at (323) 224-2611 to have the shuttle dispatched to your location.

Accessible seating is available throughout the stadium, except the Pavilions. Guests using wheelchairs (or other mobility devices) who prefer to sit in non-accessible seating may check in and store their wheelchair or other mobility device at designated areas. Escorts for those using wheelchairs are available inside the stadium from any gate on a first-come, first served basis by contacting any security personnel or ticket taker.

Guests can view a closed caption version of the in-stadium announcements through the MLB Ballpark app. ALDs are available for checkout at any Fan Services Station or you can call the Dodger Hotline.

Universal Studios Hollywood - Many of the world-famous theme park's rides, shows, attractions, escalators and parking structures are designed to comfortably accommodate guests in wheelchairs and other disabilities. There are designated guests-with-disabilities entrances for all attractions. Sign language interpreters are available free of charge with a minimum of one-week notice. ALDs are also free and provided at Guest Relations.

A shuttle equipped with a wheelchair lift is available to transport guests from the bottom of Universal Hollywood Drive (next to Lankershim Boulevard) to the hotels, CityWalk and the Theme Park. A shuttle is available to transport guests that cannot navigate the escalators between the Theme Park’s Lower Lot and Upper Lot. Please refer to your Studio Map to find Lower Lot/Upper Lot transportation locations. 

For complete information, download the Rider’s Guide for Rider Safety and Guests with Disabilities or pick up a printed copy at Guest Relations.

Hollywood Bowl - A minimum of 200 wheelchair, semi-ambulatory, and companion tickets are available throughout the Hollywood Bowl. Accessibility Services of the Hollywood Bowl Box Office handles ticketing exclusively for patrons with disabilities. These tickets are also available through Ticketmaster for Lease Events (with a service charge). Individuals purchasing a ticket for an accessible seat may purchase up to three additional seats for their companions in the same row and that are contiguous with the accessible seat.

Patron Access Assistance Service (PAAS) provides electric cart transport and wheelchair escort for patrons with disabilities. The electric cart pickup is located near the accessible parking in Lot B. Wheelchair assistance can be arranged in the Box Office Plaza with a PAAS member. The Bowl does not provide loaner or rental wheelchairs.

ALDs are available free of charge at the House Manager's Office - ask an usher for assistance. Requests for a sign language interpreter or open captioning can be facilitated through Accessibility Services at (323) 850-2125. The Bowl requests advance notice of five business days for sign language and 10 days for open captions.

For more info, visit the Accessibility section of the Hollywood Bowl website.

Hollywood Pantages - Accessible seating is only available in the orchestra level. There is no elevator in the Hollywood Pantages Theatre, and the mezzanine (2nd) Level is accessible only by stairs. There are 31 steps up to the mezzanine and 44 total to the rear of the mezzanine. The orchestra level features a number of transfer seats, which feature movable arms on the aisle side of the seat, making it easier to transfer from a wheelchair into a theatre seat.

ASL interpretation and Open Captioning will be offered for the 1pm performance of "Frozen" on Dec. 22, 2019 and Feb. 2, 2020. To request ASL interpretation or Open Captioning for a different performance, email the Pantages at PanBoxOffice@HollywoodPantages.com or call (323) 468-1782 Monday-Friday from 11am-5pm. Allow at least 2 weeks advance notice when requesting these services. The December 22 performance will also offer Audio Description.

Several sound amplification options are available at no cost, including the newly installed Telecoil Induction Loop and the Infrared Listening System. Visit the Audience Services desk in the lobby to learn more and to check out a compatible device. Large Print Playbills are also available at Audience Services.

Los Angeles Zoo - The Zoo's Accessibility Information Map indicates the various types of terrain (flat/gentle slope/hilly) found at different locations in the Zoo.The map also notes the location of shuttle stops. A large print version of the Accessibility Information Map may be requested at the Admissions ticket window or at the Zoo Administration Building Reception Desk (Monday–Friday) on the day of your visit.

Although some grades are steeper than others, the LA Zoo is wheelchair accessible. Manual and electric wheelchairs are available to rent at the International Marketplace (inside and near the front entrance to the Zoo). Guests may request at the Admissions ticketing window that the wheelchair be brought to the Zoo entrance gate. There are a limited number of electric wheelchairs available for rental on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are not accepted. The Zoo suggests that guests arrive as close as possible to Zoo opening time (10 a.m.) to secure an electric wheelchair rental.

The LA Zoo offers its Safari Shuttle for an additional fee. The shuttle is not a guided tour of the exhibits, but it will take guests to five different locations throughout the Zoo. Guests may disembark at each location and re-embark on a later Shuttle using their ticket. The Safari Shuttle is wheelchair accessible. However, employees are neither trained nor permitted to lift guests in or out of his/her mobility device/wheelchair.

The Zoo also provides auxiliary aids and services upon request: guided tour led by a Zoo Docent, sign language interpreter, and an ALD for meetings or lectures. For more info, visit the LA Zoo's Accessibility website.

Getty Center & Getty Villa - Both museums are ADA accessible to all visitors. Available on GettyGuide® multimedia players, a visual descriptions audio tour offers detailed descriptions of selected works on display. GettyGuide multimedia players are available free of charge inside the main entrances.

Free assisted listening devices (ALDs) are available for all tours and the Orientation Theater. Induction neck loops, which work with hearing aids that have a T-coil switch, are available free of charge. Auditoriums are equipped with infrared sound enhancement systems. Open captioning in English is provided in the orientation film shown in the Orientation Theater. Sign language interpretation is available upon request. Requests must be made 14 days before your visit by contacting Visitor Services at TTY (310) 440-7305, (310) 440-7300, or by e-mail at visitorservices@getty.edu.

Both museums offer free standard wheelchairs. Front- and rear-row seating for people using wheelchairs is available at museum auditoriums and event venues.

Offered on select days and facilitated by a Museum educator, Handling Sessions at the Villa invite guests to touch replica objects along with the materials and tools that ancient artists used to create the works of art on display in the galleries.

Westfield Century City - Handicapped parking is located near the main center entrances. Look for illuminated blue parking symbols in the parking structure pointing to the nearest available spaces. There are two ADA compliant access ramps and elevators available at all entrances to the property. All interior concourses accommodate shoppers with disabilities as well. Convenient directional signage is located throughout the center indicating locations of elevators, restrooms, escalators and exterior ramp accessible locations. Westfield staff are always available to assist.

Manual wheelchairs are also available upon request at the Concierge Desk. For mobility-impaired guests, Westfield Century City offers complimentary wheelchairs for up to three hours. The wheelchairs are subject to availability.