Accessibility

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Photo / Lisa Hupp

 

The National Park Service welcomes people with disabilities. Browse the information below about the accessibility of specific facilities, programs, and services. If a particular service or issue is not mentioned below, such as alternate formats for print materials, audio description, assistive listening, captions, or physical access to particular facilities, programs or services, please contact the park.

 

General Accessibility & Safety

Visitor Center

The visitor center is in the two-story historic Navy Aerology building, and is itself an exhibit. Inside the visitor center there are exhibits on the walls, on panels and in cases consisting of photos, artifacts and text. Some are multi-sensory, with either audio or tactile elements.

A re-creation of how the Aerology building was set up and used is on the second floor with mannequins dressed in period uniform. The sights and sounds of the functioning tower and adjacent airfield are heard on the floor. Radio equipment and Morse code print outs, maps and uniformed mannequins are accessible and can be touched.

A 34-seat auditorium is lined with framed artwork of the period that came from artists that served in the Aleutians. Films are shown on demand in the auditorium. A mural lines the upper walls of the first floor that visually shows the sequence of events that occurred in WWII. A small seating area for up to 6 people is in a corner of the visitor center where information and books about the war and the Aleutians are made available.

Elevation and Terrain

The entrance to the historic area is at sea level and includes a steep grade. A switchback road leads up to Mt. Ballyhoo, almost 900 feet (300 m) in elevation. The road leading up the mountain is well maintained, but the roads on top of Mt. Ballyhoo are not and tend to be rutted and uneven. This, coupled with fog, can make for hazardous conditions. Holes to underground tunnels can be found throughout the historic area and can sometimes appear unexpectedly. The holes are covered with a grating when found, but many could remain hidden. Rommel stakes, spikes and nails are also hazards for those who venture off the road.

Outside of the Historic Area

There are areas on Amaknak Island and the nearby island of Unalaska that can be explored outside the Aleutian Islands World War II National Historic Area. These locations are generally accessible by unmaintained trails or by walking cross-country through tall grass and uneven terrain. The area is treeless and it is easy to see where you want to go and how to get there unless conditions are foggy.

Unseen Rommel stakes, nails, boards, spikes, holes and other hazards are not visible in the tall grass – use caution. Likewise, traveling off the beaten path in high wind or fog isn't advisable. Roadways and unmaintained trails can be uneven and rutted, making navigation and footing very difficult. Cliff edges, rapidly descending terrain, and World War II-era ruins and artifacts are known hazards. Please use extreme caution on your visit.

Weather

The Aleutians are notorious for bad weather. High winds and fog are common. Atop Mt. Ballyhoo, it can be difficult to walk in the wind. Fog makes navigation in the historic area hazardous given the steep, 800+ foot cliffs that surround the mountain. The combined effects of wind and fog can lower body temperature and lead to hypothermia if unprepared.

 

Physical/Mobility Accessibility

Visitor Center

• Parking: At the visitor center, there are no specifically designated accessible parking spaces, though the lot is small and all spaces are close to the facility. The parking lot is gravel. The route from the parking lot to the facility has a drain catch with a dip, but is otherwise level cement. 

• Entrance: The visitor center entrance can only be opened manually.

• Restrooms: At the visitor center, both the men's and women's restrooms are accessible. Restrooms and water are not available anywhere else around Fort Schwatka or on Mount Ballyhoo.

• Elevator: An elevator is available in the two-story visitor center.

Aleutian Islands WWII National Historic Area

• Parking: In the historic area, there are a few spots alongside the road to stop and get out of your vehicle. These areas are not level but are hard, compact surfaces. It is typically less than 100 feet from a stop on the roadway to World War II artifacts or exhibits.

• Exhibits: There are interpretive signs in the park, but the roadway/trails are uneven. The wayside exhibits are generally visible from the inside of a vehicle. Travel between exhibits is along the roadway, which is hard and compact but also often rutted and uneven.

• Fort Schwatka and Mount Ballyhoo are primitive areas with no facilities and subject to high winds, rain and fog.

 

Deaf/Hearing Loss Accessibility

Information about the Historic Area

Anyone can reach a Federal agency to conduct business by simply dialing 7-1-1 and connecting with a Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) call center. Printed brochures are available at the visitor center and on wayside exhibits in the park.

On Your Visit

• Exhibits: Some of the visitor center exhibits feature captions.

• Programs and tours: The park has a printed driving/walking guide to the area associated with numbered sign posts. There are additional driving tours available on the NPS App.

 

Blind/Low Vision Accessibility

Information about the Historic Area

At this time, only standard print information is available in person. Instead, it may be worthwhile to use the NPS App for accessible information. If using this approach, please download the app ahead of time due to limited connectivity on the island. 

On Your Visit

• Exhibits: The exhibits include some audio programs and tactile models and maps that may be touched. Recorded audio description is not available.

• Programs and tours: The park’s walking/driving guide is only available in print. Use the NPS App for a more accessible option.

• Trails and Waysides: Recorded audio descriptions of trails or waysides are not available. The roadway and unmaintained trails are uneven and rutted, making navigation and footing very difficult. Also, cliff edges, rapidly descending terrain, and World War II-era ruins and artifacts are known hazards. Please use extreme caution if visiting this park.

 

Service Animals

Service Animals and Federal Facilities

Service animals are allowed in federal facilities and on federal lands as long as they comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.