Accessibility & Inclusivity

The Mississippi Aquarium welcomes individuals of all ages and abilities, offering access to inclusive experiences and programs to allow each individual the equal opportunity to enjoy and learn about Mississippi and the Gulf Coast.

Experiences and programs we offer:

• Sensory days
• KultureCity® Sensory bags

We encourage you to contact info@msaquarium.org in advance of your visit with any questions or specific needs.

Wheelchairs are available for rent during Mississippi Aquarium hours. Availability is limited and first-come, first-serve. Due to limited availability, we cannot accept reservations. Visit the ticketing office for more information when you arrive.

Mississippi Aquarium strives to provide an inclusive experience for all guests through establishing partnerships, providing resources and accommodations, and training staff members annually.

Partnerships:

• KultureCity is “the nation's leading nonprofit on sensory accessibility and acceptance for those with invisible disabilities”
• Learn more at their website:
- https://www.kulturecity.org/

Resources and Accommodations:

• KultureCity® Sensory bags: contain special KCVIP badges, feeling thermometer, fidget tools, and noise-canceling headphones
- Sensory bags can be checked out at the photo station located inside of Changing Tides.
• Quiet and Headphone Zones: These are identifiable by signage posted on nearby walls.
-Quiet zone:
▪ Low river habitat
-Headphone zones:
▪ Touch pool inside of Aquatic Wonders (3rd Floor)
▪ Shark Grotto inside of Aquatic Wonders (1st Floor)
▪ Rainforest habitat inside of Changing Tides

Staff training:

• The MSAQ staff undergo annual training sessions to continuously raise awareness of challenges and needs of this population and to educate staff on how to accommodate and advocate for this population.

Mississippi Aquarium welcomes service animals. However, Mississippi Aquarium staff reserve the right to ask a service animal to leave the premises if they cause disruption to the daily operations of the aquarium. The following are behaviors that could result in the removal of a service animal:

• A dog is barking or growling at other guests or exhibit animals.
• The animal is not under control by the handler using voice, leash, harness, or a tethered line.
• The animal is not housebroken.
• The animal is disruptive or poses a direct threat to other visitors or animals, including jumping or running towards other guests or animals.

Accommodations

If a service animal is asked to be removed from an area that is open to the public, staff will offer appropriate and reasonable accommodations to the guest to obtain services without the animal’s presence.

For detailed ADA information, visit www.ada.gov or call (800) 514-0301 (voice) or (800) 514-0383 (TTY).