We are committed to continually reviewing and expanding accessibility for visitors. If you have a comment or request related to accessibility that is not addressed here, please contact us, preferably before your visit, and we will do our best to accommodate you. Applewood is a member of the Michigan Alliance for Cultural Accessibility.

Welcome to Applewood entrance banner
Guests, including one using a motorized wheelchair, attend an event on the lawn

Limited Mobility

Accessible parking spaces are located in the Visitor Parking Lot (parking lot entrance located on Walnut Street between Robert T. Longway Boulevard and Kearsley Street).

Map

The entrance gate at Applewood is accessible. There is an ADA accessible ramp to the front door of the house for tours. Note: The interior of the historic home has raised thresholds and narrow doorways.

Map

An accessible restroom is located near the Visitor Services desk at the historic garage of the main house. Accessible restrooms are also planned for the lower gardens area pavilion that is expected to be constructed in 2023. In addition, a portable ADA restroom is located near the entrance gate. There are no public restrooms inside the historic house.

Wheelchairs for use in the house and on the grounds can be borrowed at Visitor Services. Motorized chairs and scooters are allowed inside the house and around the estate. Please take caution that some outdoor walkways are not paved. The lower gardens area is accessible by a paved walkway. However, the path is downhill and requires guests to go back uphill to return to the main areas of the estate.

Benches are located throughout the estate. Seating and tables are located in the covered seating area east of the historic garage as well as behind the house and in the terrace area. These seating areas are all first come, first served. Inside the house, (non-historic) chairs are available for guests who have difficulty standing for extended periods.

The historic house can accommodate smaller-sized wheelchairs and strollers on the first floor. The basement is accessible only by stairs. A video tour of other floors is available for our guests in the first floor sitting room. Additionally, we offer a Virtual Tour of the house and grounds.

Deaf & Hard of Hearing

American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation is available upon request for house tours. ASL is provided at Applewood’s public programs.*

Videos at Applewood are captioned. Some videos and audio offered at Applewood have captions in English and Spanish. We are working on making all video and audio offerings accessible.

*Subject to the availability of interpreters.

Autism Spectrum Disorder & Sensory Processing Disorder

Our education staff is trained to accommodate visitors with Autism Spectrum Disorder/Sensory Processing Disorder. For more information, please contact our Manager of Education Programs.

While not designated “sensory-friendly,” Sundays are a great time to visit if you prefer minimal programming and (typically) fewer visitors. Earplugs are available at Visitor Services.

At times, horticulture equipment such as tractors or mowers may create loud or unexpected noises around the estate. The exhibit spaces inside the historic garage, the historic barn and chicken coop, and house may be loud if multiple people are in those areas.

Programs at Applewood have different circumstances and environments (noise levels, crowd sizes, etc.). Please check program descriptions for details that may affect your decision to visit at that time or participate.

Service Animals

Applewood welcomes service dogs that have been housebroken as well as harnessed, leashed, or tethered to their accompanying individual. With the exception of service animals that meet the federal government’s guidelines for animals trained to perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a qualifying disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, visitors are not permitted to bring animals on to Applewood property. Visitors may not bring any other animals onto Applewood property, including but not limited to pets or emotional support animals.

Additional Offerings

All bathrooms are gender neutral. A family restroom is located near Visitor Services and another will be added in the soon-to-be-constructed lower gardens pavilion. An adult changing table will also be located in the lower gardens pavilion.

A private quiet room that can be used for nursing or quiet space will be located in the lower gardens pavilion, though nursing mothers are welcome to breastfeed anywhere on the estate.

Copies of a house tour script in Spanish can be borrowed at Visitor Services. With advance notice, Applewood will work to provide language interpreters for your visit, subject to the availability of interpreters.

A Virtual Tour of the house and grounds is available in the historic garage exhibit and on our website.

Other Developmental Disabilities

Our staff works with groups of all ages and abilities. Please contact us to discuss how we can tailor a program to provide a great experience for your organization.

Website

Our commitment to accessibility includes our website. Please contact us to report any accessibility issues you encounter here.