Accessibility in Southern Indiana

Travel Accessibility & Inclusion

Southern Indiana (Clark & Floyd Counties) strives to accommodate visitors with special needs. We're always working to make our systems and services even more accessible for all travelers.

Stay up to date on all things SoIN by signing up for our monthly newsletter, and start planning a weekend getaway by ordering a FREE visitor guide!

Assistive Technology on our Website

Assistive technology can help people with disabilities access, navigate and engage with digital content. We've partnered with Audio Eye, an assistive technology company, to optimize our website to help people with impairments or disabilities maneuver within our website. Audio Eye works to fix digital content issues to meet the standards of the Website Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). 

Examples of assistive technologies are screen readers, voice recognition software, reading assistants, and switch devices that replace the need to use a keyboard or mouse.

Typically, the accessibility needs of users are grouped into four areas:

  • Visual: People who are blind, low vision or color blind.
  • Auditory: People who are deaf or hard of hearing.
  • Motor: People who have limited fine motor controls, muscle slowness, or tremors and spasms.
  • Cognitive: People who have learning disabilities, memory impairment, attention disorders, or difficulty with problem-solving and logic.

To use Audio Eye, look for the accessibility icon on the bottom right-hand side of our site. To learn more about using the Audio Eye visual toolkit, click here.

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Accessible Attractions

Kevin Hammersmith Mem Park

Kevin Hammersmith Memorial Park

4400 Lewis Endres Pwky. 
New Albany, IN 47150

Everyone should be able to play at the playground. Whether in a wheelchair, blind or hearing impaired, the new accessible playground is an inclusive playground for all.  

Built with the help of community grants, donations and other funding sources, the 12,000-square-foot playground has a “splash pad” play area next to it. The accessibility-focused playground is the first of its kind in the area.

Floyd County’s newest park, Kevin Hammersmith Memorial Park, has 35.5 acres. It is home to the county’s largest shelter.  

Major features include:

  • Romeo Langford Basketball Court (received the "Court of the Month" from Nova Sports in July 2019) 
  • Elliott and Sue Phillips Pavilion (a covered basketball court with lighting) 
  • The KFC Amphitheater  
  • Playground
  • ¾-mile walking trail

Concerts at the Ogle Center

The Ogle Center at IU Southeast

4201 Grant Line Rd. 
New Albany, IN 47150

As Southern Indiana's center for the performing and visual arts, located on the campus of Indiana University Southeast in New Albany, the Ogle Center presents a variety of professional touring artists each year. 

The Ogle Center theatres and concert halls are set up perfectly to assist anyone with a disability. Assisted listening devices are provided for people with hearing aids, it is accessible to wheelchairs and service animals are of course allowed per Federal Law. To learn more or to reserve listening devices or to reserve a wheelchair spot, call 812-941-2525.

NoCo Story Trail

Jeffersonville Public Art - NoCo Story Trail

628 Michigan Ave. 
Jeffersonville, IN 47130

The story trail is located in Jeffersonville's, NoCo Arts & Cultural District, which is a downtown public art space. The story trail is a combination of an accessible, walkable path and a uniquely written story to enjoy. 

The story is broken into 12 segments, the storyboards are weatherproof, "elevated to children's" eye level, and there are questions on the back of each storyboard to make it more engaging. The stories that are created come from local 4th-7th graders. It's truly a delightful experience!

Falls of the Ohio Interpretive Center

Falls of the Ohio State Park

201 W. Riverside Dr.
Clarksville, IN 47129

Falls of the Ohio State Park is known for its prehistoric fossil beds dating back 390 million years ago. There is a ramp that leads to the fossil beds offering incredible views of the Ohio River. Access to the fossil bed itself may be difficult, depending on the water levels. The ADA-accessible interpretive center offers visitors with vision and hearing disabilities a variety of hands-on experiences.

Those visiting the interpretive center can download the free Access 4 All app and wind their way through the historical stories shared at the interpretive center, allowing people with hearing, visual, and even sensory needs the ability to experience the museum in a way that is comfortable for them and on their own mobile devices. Visit the Falls of the Ohio website to learn more.

An old iron bridge at Charlestown State Park now makes a great footpath for visitors.

Charlestown State Park

12500 IN-62
Charlestown, IN 47111

Once a largely undeveloped Indiana Army Ammunition plant, Charlestown State Park is easily accessible. The endless hills, ravines and vistas are breathtaking. Other than scenic views, added bonuses are fossil outcrops and the bird watching is unbelievable in this park and in this region in general. Those needing ADA assistance can call the park office to arrange transportation to Rose Island Loop Trail.

Derby Dinner Playhouse

Derby Dinner Playhouse

525 Marriot Dr.
Clarksville, IN 47129

One of the oldest and longest-running continually operated dinner theatres in the country, Derby Dinner Playhouse is a must-stop in Southern Indiana. Great food, great entertainment and great accommodations. Their dinner theatre is ADA accessible, please contact the box office (812-288-8281) for wheelchair-accessible tables. 

Girl baking at the Mesa Kids Cooking School in New Albany, IN

MESA Kids Cooking School

154 E. Main St. 
New Albany, IN 47150

MESA KIDS Cooking School is specially designed for children who want to learn how to bake and cook. MESA teaches children both modern and classic techniques in the culinary industry. Classes are taught by culinary instructors who value the joy in the culinary arts. They encourage learning and creativity in a safe environment.  

Children with autism or other disabilities can participate in specialty classes at MESA Kids Cooking School. The staff is trained and certified by FEAT to cater to autistic children.  

MESA Kids also has a partnership with Kid Cancer Alliance and hosts classes for children who wish to take a break from everyday life.

Carnegie

Carnegie Center for Art & History

201 E. Spring St. 
New Albany, IN 47150

Carnegie Center for Art & History is an art gallery with rotating and permanent exhibits along with family activity workshops. Exhibits are wheelchair accessible and there is elevator access to all floors.

Vintage Fire Museum

Vintage Fire Museum

706 Spring St. 
Jeffersonville, IN 47130

The Vintage Fire Museum is super unique, it has fire engines and artifacts that help tell the story of the beginning of firefighting in the 1700s. It's very educational and great for kids and adults. Parking is accessible, clearly marked and is close to the entrance. The sidewalk has curb cuts, there is a ramp if needed and the entrance is feasible for wheelchairs. On top of that, everything within the museum is on the ground level. 

Accessible Hotels

hampton inn new albany

Hampton Inn New Albany Louisville West

411 W. Spring St. 
New Albany, IN 47150

Located right off I-64, this hotel is easily accessible, in the heart of downtown New Albany, walkable to shops and restaurants, and is only minutes from Caesars Southern Indiana. This Hampton Inn complies with ADA guidelines. 

Home 2 Suites Firepit

Home 2 Suites Clarksville Louisville North

1624 Leisure Way
Clarksville, IN 47129

Located right off I-65, this hotel is easily accessible, great for business travelers wanting to be close to business districts, and walkable to shops and restaurants. This Home 2 Suites complies with ADA guidelines. 

View of the Ohio River and bridge from the Sheraton hotel

Sheraton Louisville Riverside Hotel

700 W. Riverside Dr. 
Jeffersonville, IN 47130

Location, location, location! The views from this hotel are breathtaking and may hold some of the best views of downtown Louisville. The Sheraton has elevators, valet parking for vehicles outfitted for drivers in wheelchairs, van accessible on-site parking, bathtub grab rails, self closing doors, mobility accessible rooms, secondary locks on windows and more.

Accessible Restaurants

Taylor's Cereal Bowl

Taylor's Cereal Bowl Kitchen

438 Spring St. 
Jeffersonville, IN 47130

This new ice cream shop, Taylor's Cereal Bowl Kitchen, is serving up more than dessert, doubling as a sensory-inclusive space where families with neurodivergent children can explore interactive activities that build critical thinking and fine motor skills. With vegan options on the menu as well, Taylor’s provides food and fun that can be enjoyed by all.

Owners Marshall and Donique Pence provide a space for children with autism or neurodivergence. Technology in the space has a machine that can take a child’s drawing and insert it into a 3D animation.

 

MISSION BBQ

MISSION BBQ

1213 Veterans Pkwy.
Clarksville, IN 47129

A regional BBQ chain dedicated to providing for service men and women across the United States! MISSION BBQ offers accessible parking that is close to the entrance and is clearly marked, walkways are clear of low-hanging objects, entrances are wheelchair accessible, and door handles are low and reachable. 

 

Board and You

Board and You Bistro & Wine Bar

434 Pearl St.
New Albany, IN 47150

A premier restaurant in downtown New Albany with hand-crafted dishes, custom cocktails, and unmatched wine listings. Board and You offers accessible parking that is close to the entrance and is clearly marked, entrances are wheelchair accessible as well.

Accessible Event Spaces

Wine Shop

Wine Shop

410 Pearl St.
New Albany, IN 47150

The Wine Shop is of course...a wine shop where you can shop for wine and lounge while doing some taste testing but they're way more than that! This incredible shop has opened its shop for all. You can rent their space which is wheelchair accessible for anything from graduation parties to birthday parties or bridal showers to baby showers and more! The space can hold up to 120 people, click here to view their private event space pricing options.

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