Local Accessibility Information
"Minneapolis is one of the most accessible cities you will ever find." — Richard F. Jost, executive director of the Minnesota Paralyzed Veterans of America
Minneapolis is a leader in its commitment to accessible public space. The city instituted a pedestrian ramping program for its streets decades before the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) took effect. Additionally:
- All of the city's downtown parks are accessible.
- Miles of waterfront, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and regional parks (including Minnehaha Falls) are accessible.
- More than seven miles of the skyway are accessible.
Airport
The Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport is accessible to people with disabilities and offers an array of services for those travelers. View the MSP Airport's accessibility page.
Getting Around
There are many transportation options in Minneapolis for travelers with disabilities:
Paratransit transportation — Metro Mobility offers door-to-door public transportation system for persons with disabilities. Call (651) 602-1111 (TTY 651 221-9886) for more information.
Van rental — Wheelchair Getaways provides rentals of wheelchair- and scooter-accessible vans. For more information call (800) 642-2042.
Shuttle and taxi service —
- Airport Taxi, (952) 928-0000
- Rainbow Taxi, (612) 332-1615
- Super Shuttle, (800) BLUEVAN or (612) 827-7777
Public bus/rail service — Metro Transit's buses and trains are accessible. For additional information, call (612) 349-7558 (TTY 612 602-0904) or visit Metro Transit.
Minneapolis Convention Center
The 2002 expansion brought the entire Convention Center up to current ADA standards. In fact, the building received the Minnesota Access Achievement Award, presented by the Minnesota Society of Architects, for its attention to disability access:
- All entrances in the front of the MCC have at least one set of power-assisted doors.
- There are 3 unisex single-wheelchair restrooms.
- Wheelchair seating and sound enhancement tools are available in the auditorium.
- From the skyway, people can reach the first level of the Center via accessible elevators and escalators.
- Wheelchairs can negotiate walkways that are carpeted (no padding) with a depth of less than one half-inch of closely woven pile. In uncarpeted areas, the flooring is terrazzo tile.
- The marshalling yard in the rear of the Center may be used for raised van parking.
Hotels, Dining and Attractions
The Minnesota Travel Guide for Persons with Disabilities has compiled a list of profiles—including information on parking, entrances, restrooms and more—for lodging, dining and entertainment locations.
Complete Accessibility Guide
Meet Minneapolis, the official Convention and Visitors Association, has prepared a Complete Accessibility Guide for visitors. The following links are in PDF format:
- Welcome letter (PDF, 1 page)
- Introduction/Getting here (PDF, 4 pages)
- Getting around (PDF, 6 pages)
- Minneapolis Convention Center (PDF, 2 pages)
- Accessible hotels (PDF, 7 pages)
- Accessible dining (PDF, 17 pages)
- Downtown attractions/Equipment and services (PDF, 2 pages)
- Additional info/Related links/Rating system for hotel and dining access (PDF, 6 pages)
For more information contact generalassembly @ uua.org.
Last updated on Wednesday, August 5, 2009.
