The Ringling is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive experience for all of our visitors. However, due to the historic nature of several buildings and the extensive grounds, visitors may experience some challenges with access. Below are several services available to visitors with disabilities.

See below for a list of our access programs and services. To arrange an accessibility tour or to address any additional accessibility questions or concerns, please email [email protected]. 

Website Accessibility

Website Accessibility Aide

An accessibility aide is available in the lower left corner of every page of ringling.org to assist with navigation, content and text size, colors and contrast, highlighting links, reading a page, and more. 

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is committed to continuously improving access to our services for all users, and we make every attempt for all our visitors to have a pleasant online experience. The Ringling has an ongoing program to provide and improve accessibility of our website, ringling.org, consistent with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0.  If you are unable to use any aspect of this website, PDF files, or other attachments, please contact us by emailing [email protected],(TTY: 7-1-1); and we will provide you with assistance.

Personal Care Attendants

If you need assistance to visit The Ringling, your personal care attendant (PCA) will receive complimentary admission with your ticket purchase. Please notify staff at the Admissions counter for more information. 

Service Animals

The Ringling allows the use of trained service animals by individuals with disabilities in all public areas of the campus. Under Florida Statute 413.08, a service animal is not a pet and is limited to a dog or miniature horse trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. The work done or tasks performed must be directly related to the individual’s disability. Animals whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. View Florida Statute 413.08

Visitors with Limited Mobility 

Accessible Parking

Accessible parking spaces are located on the northern side of the parking area near the Visitors Pavilion. Visitors must traverse the distance from the parking lot to the Visitors Pavilion.

Tram Service

ADA Trams are available for any individual who requires assistance. If an accessible tram is required, please notify a Museum attendant. 

The accessible trams are equipped with a ramp, but please note that the steep slope of the tram ramp may necessitate assistance from a companion. Wheelchairs and strollers can be accommodated on the trams; electric scooters cannot be accommodated on the trams.

Wheelchairs

We encourage guests to bring their own wheelchairs. A limited number of wheelchairs are available on a first come, first served basis in each of the venues. At Ca' d’Zan smaller wheel chairs are provided due to the historic nature of the building.

In the Historic Asolo Theater

To purchase accessible seating, or for other accessibility inquiries related to the Theater, call the Box Office at 941-359-5700.

Strollers

Strollers can be used in all buildings but only on the first floor of Ca' d’Zan. Free strollers are available in each venue on a first-come, first-served basis. Strollers can be accommodated on our ADA-accessible trams.

Ca' d'Zan Tours

Visitors touring beyond the first floor will climb multiple spiral staircases and must stand for the duration of the tour (seating is not available). Motorized scooters can only be accommodated on the first floor of the mansion. Wheelchairs are available at Ca’ d’Zan and all mobility devices may be used on the first floor. 

Terrain

For those visitors traversing the grounds and exploring the gardens on foot, please be prepared for uneven terrain and varying weather conditions.

Restrooms

Accessible restrooms are available in or near all venues. The nearest accessible restroom to the Historic Circus Galleries, and Playspace is located in Tibbals Learning Center.

Visitors who are Blind or have Low Vision

      Tours

Museum of Art Audio Guide: Visitors who are blind or have low vision can access visual descriptions of select objects in the Museum of Art audio guide. Explore the Audio Guide

Guided Tours: Visitors who are blind or partially-sighted may request a tour that incorporates tactile objects and visual description for any of our venues with two weeks’ advance notice.

Large-print brochures are available in the John M. McKay Visitors Pavilion; please ask museum staff.  

Visitors who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing

In the Historic Asolo Theater

 The Historic Asolo Theater is equipped with a loop system to assist those with hearing aids or cochlear implants equipped with telecoils (T-Coil). By turning your hearing aid to "T" for reception, you will be able to hear our performances with enhanced amplification and clarity.

For visitors who do not have the T-Coil system, assistive listening devices and cochlear implant adapters are also available for visitors attending events in the Historic Asolo Theater. To obtain an assistive listening device, please ask at the Box Office upon arrival.

Please note that the first two rows of seats on the first tier and the entire third tier of seats are not looped. If you need assistance in choosing seats that will be compatible with T-coil, please call the Box Office at 941-359-5700.

In the Chao Lecture Hall

The Chao Lecuture Hall is equipped with a loop system to assist those with hearing aids or cochlear implants equipped with telecoils (T-Coil). By turning your hearing aid to "T" for reception, you will be able to hear our performances with enhanced amplification and clarity. 

For visitors who do not have the T-Coil system, assistive listening devices are also available. To obtain an assistive listening device, please ask in the lecture hall upon arrival.

In the Visitors Pavilion

One ticketing station at the Admissions Desk is equipped with a loop system to assist those with hearing aids or cochlear implants equipped with telecoils (T-Coil). Look for the designated T-Coil sign at the Station. By turning your hearing aid to "T" for reception, you will be able to hear the admissions associate with enhanced amplification and clarity. 

Guided Tours

 Visitors may request the use of assisted listening devices (including neck loops for t-coil switches) for guided tours and select public programs with advance notice.

  Visitors who are deaf may request an ASL-interpreted guided tour with two weeks’ advance notice.

 Florida residents may use a free TTY / relay service by dialing 7-1-1. For more information visit Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc. at http://www.ftri.org/

Audio Guides

Audio guides are available for the Museum of Art and Ca’ d’Zan; pdf transcripts of the guides are linked at the top of each audio guide page.

Gallery Walk & Sign Tours 

 Please note: Gallery Walk & Sign Tours are currently on hiatus.  

This program is designed specifically for Deaf visitors. Visitors requiring an ASL interpreter are invited to join us for a tour of the museum and its collection. Each program will feature a theme highlighting works from the collection. The tours are free of charge but advance registration is required and space is limited. Registration will open approximately 30 days prior to each program. 

Visitors with Memory Loss

Ringling Reflections Gallery Tours

Please note: Ringling Reflections Gallery Tours are currently on hiatus.

Ringling Reflections programs are relaxed, conversation-based gallery tours in the Museum of Art for people with memory loss and their care partners. Please plan on arriving to the museum’s Visitors Pavilion by 10:00 to check in. All gallery tour routes will be wheelchair accessible. Wheelchairs are available for use free-of-charge on a first-come, first-served basis. Listening devices, including induction loops for t-coil hearing aids, will be provided. The tours are free of charge but advance registration is required and space is limited. Registration will open approximately 30 days prior to each program. 

Visitors on the Autism Spectrum 

• To avoid waiting in line in the Visitor’s Pavilion, we recommend purchasing tickets online prior to your arrival. Hours and Admissions

• The following times tend to be quieter and less crowded at the museum: Tuesday through Sunday: 10:00 – 11:00 AM and 3:00 – 5:00PM  *Tuesdays are typically the least crowded day of the week

• Temperatures may vary between gallery spaces, especially in the Museum of Art. You may want to bring a light sweater.

• For visitors with wandering or elopement concerns: please note that the Ringling property is not completely enclosed by fences or other barriers. The west side of the property abuts Sarasota bay.

Social Narrative

These social narratives are designed for children and Families to help plan and prepare for an enjoyable museum visit and to cover important guidelines, like museum rules and security. Social Narrative for Children and Families

Social Narrative for Teens and Adults

Sensory-Friendly Map

Our sensory-friendly map is designed to create an experience that is welcoming for visitors with autism or other sensory sensitivities. View the .pdf  Map

To arrange an accessibility tour or to address any additional accessibility questions or concerns, please email [email protected].

Access programs and services are made possible in part by a generous gift from the Koski Family Foundation.