Accessibility

Accessibility at LMC

Loggerhead Marinelife Center is committed to providing a welcoming and memorable experience for all our visitors. Although we are primarily an outdoor facility, visitors may experience some challenges with accessing certain areas of the Center. Below are some helpful resources available for visitors with disabilities or sensory triggers.

To learn more about the accessibility at LMC or to address any additional questions or concerns, please contact our Guest Services team at [email protected]

 

Personal Care Attendants

If you need assistance visiting Loggerhead Marinelife Center, your personal care attendant (PCA) will receive complimentary admission with your ticket purchase if you choose to join one of our paid programs. Please notify Guest Services staff in our Welcome Center for more information.

 

Service Animals

To ensure everyone's safety all service animals MUST be declared to our guest services staff before entry and remain on a short leash at all times. Because our sea turtle patients are sick and can carry diseases, "service animals" are not recommended to explore our Outdoor or Indoor Sea Turtle Hospital. We thank you in advance for your cooperation. Loggerhead Marinelife Center allows "service animals" as described in compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Please note, "assistance animals" are not within the scope of the ADA definition and are not permitted on our campus.

 

Mobility

Parking for all visitors can be found around LMC’s Main Campus. Handicap parking can be located on the East and West side of LMC’s Main Campus, with paved walkways to get you to our Front Entrance.

Wheelchairs may be borrowed upon request by our Guest Services team; be aware that there is a limited number in our possession. Beach-wheelchairs are also available upon advanced notice (24 hours prior to your visit) to access Juno Beach behind LMC.

Please be advised that you will need a Personal Care Attendant (PCA) that would be able to direct the beach wheelchair. LMC Staff/Volunteers are not liable to assist directing the wheelchair.

Strollers can be used in all outdoor/indoor areas of LMC’s Main Campus; they are accommodated by our ADA accessible ramps. Strollers used outside of LMC’s Main Campus would want to be careful of uneven terrain and varying weather conditions.

LMC’s Main Campus offers three separate ADA accessible ramps to allow visitors into our Ecosystem Terrace and Tortuga Cafe, although due to inclement weather, we may have to close two outdoor ramps. Guests are still able to access upper levels of LMC’s Main Campus through our Gift Store on the main floor.

 

Visual Assistance

Visitors can join a variety of different Guided Tours of LMC’s Main Campus. We recommend joining us for our Early Access or Evening Guided Tours; which will guarantee a quieter setting to learn about Loggerhead Marinelife Center.

• Tactile objects and vivid descriptions are given to tour guests about the different biofacts showcased along the tours.

Hearing Assistance

Guided Tours at LMC offer a variety of different ways to listen in on the Guided Tours of LMC, due to the amount of people that may be on campus during your Guided Tour, we’ll provide listening devices to all participants to help hear your guide easier along the tour.

LMC offers Audio Tours for visitors who would like to explore on their own while still enjoying a guided experience. Participants are given a map of LMC with hotspots to hit along the tour!

ASL Interpretation for major events and programs is provided for all visitors (TurtleFest, Hallowmarine, ASL Day, By the Sea Lectures, etc); guests who are interested in a Guided Tour in ASL would need to reach out to our Guest Services team for further information on how to register for ASL Guided Tours.

 

Sensory Support

The following times tend to be quieter and less crowded at Loggerhead Marinelife Center: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 2:00PM – 5:00pm; Friday afternoons are typically the least crowded time of the week. Weekends vary with crowds based on the weather.

LMC offers a program designated just for our guests that want a more inclusive experience. Check out our Sensory Saturday's program on the first Saturday of every month. Crowds, noises, and lights will be heavily reduced during Sensory Saturdays. Download the Sensory Saturdays social narrative here>

Sensory Triggers that involve temperature, smell, and sight may vary between the different areas of Loggerhead Marinelife Center. While the facility is primarily outdoors, some areas may be impacted by the heat from outside, or guests may experience bright lights within our One Ocean Hall.

• Sensory Bags are available for use upon request with our Guest Services and Education team. The bags include noise-reducing headphones, fidget toys, a pair of sunglasses, comfortable gloves, a sensory map of LMC, visual emotion cue cards, and a miniature whiteboard with markers.
• Social Narratives are availablie for any visitor looking to get a better idea on what to expect during their visit; the LMC Social Narrative will be sent to registrants for our Sensory Saturdays Program but can also be found here ...

More Info

The Loggerhead Marinelife Center Website; marinelife.org, is an excellent resource for planning your next visit. If there is anything aspect of the website or registration process that you are unable to use, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected] or [email protected] and we will do the best we can to provide you with assistance.