Info by Needs
On this page you will find information separated by accessibility needs, such as mobility access, blind and low sight, Deaf or Hard of Hearing, or Neurodivergence.
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This page will be updated as more information is gathered. Have something to add? Visit the forum!
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Mobility
In general, Yosemite meets ADA standards for physical accessibility. There are, however, some caveats. For instance, not all push plates work at all times. I also never found a single push plate for a bathroom (though I know this is usually the case, it's still annoying).
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Most seating has moveable chairs to make room for a chair, but moving those chairs isn't always easy. It would be nice to simply have chair designated spaces and pathways.
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The accessibility guide doesn't always describe the surfaces of certain areas, so I have tried to provide that information in the access information by location. There are also specific locations that are actually not accessible still, so please check the specific location you're visiting for that information.
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Have more information to add? Visit the forum!
Deaf & Hard of Hearing
Yosemite National Park does have a Deaf Services program. Their page contains several videos with either ASL, captioning, or transcripts available for each.
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From the site:
"Sign language interpreting and assistive listening devices are available for free for all park programs. If you would like to make a request, or if you have other questions, contact us at 209/379-5250 (v/txt), or by email."
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Please note that most locations, especially those indoors, tend to be crowded and thus noisy. I also believe the only location with video phones is in the lobby of the Yosemite Valley Lodge. You can also request an accessibility kit if you're staying there that includes visual aids for the door, smoke alarms, and alarm clocks.
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Have more information to add? Visit the forum!
Blind & Low Vision
There are a few brass relief plates throughout the park at major sites, but honestly, I have a difficult time imagining it'd be comfortable touching a brass plate that has been sitting in the hot sun all day.
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The most problematic concern I have is with regard to the ordering kiosks at the Base Camp Eatery, though really any of the food options will likely require the need for help as I don't believe any of them have braille menus. That said, I've found most staff to be quite helpful and go out of their way to help make environments more accessible. The problem with the kiosk situation is that the helpful staff can actually be difficult to locate.
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From the Yosemite's accessibility page:
"Audio description for the park brochure is available using the UniDescription app, available for iOS and Android devices."
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The park brochure is also available in braille on the accessibility page.
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Have more information to add? Visit the forum!
Neurodivergence
The Yosemite accessibility page doesn't really have any information to help those with neurodivergent access needs, so I've tried to include information about sound, lighting, and space for specific locations. (This is still a work in progress.) How cool would it be if in addition to mobility devices, Yosemite also rented out noise cancelling headphones? Feel free to let them know by contacting the Accessibility Coordinator at (209) 379-1035 or
yose_accessibility@nps.gov.
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Generally speaking, most indoor locations within Yosemite National Park are lit by a combination of florescent lighting and natural light. Most locations are also often crowded, especially in the Valley, and thus end up being noisy and leaving little personal space. The one exception, in the Valley anyway, is the Indian Village behind the Visitor Center.
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The closest thing to neurodivergence accessibility information is Yosemite's Visual Guide to Visiting Yosemite Valley for People with Aphasia, which can be found on the accessibility page.
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Have more information to add? Visit the forum!
