Visitors with Special Needs

Looking Together: Meaningful Experiences for People with Dementia and Their Caregivers
Tours for Visitors with Special Needs
Tours for Visitors who are Blind or Partially Sighted
Tours for Visitors who are Deaf or have Hearing Loss
More Resources



Virtual Program: Looking Together: Meaningful Experiences for People with Dementia and Their Caregivers

Created in consultation with the Alzheimer’s Association, Looking Together is a virtual program that offers people with early-stage dementia and their caregivers the opportunity to look at a single work of art together, allowing them time to process what they’ve seen. The program also incorporates elements of touch, smell and sound to engage the senses and stimulate memories and discussion.

While this online option cannot replicate the experience of gathering with peers at the Museum, it is our hope that this resource provides some of the connection and stimulation of our in-person program as well as an enriching opportunity for those who are unable to visit the Museum.

Explore Looking Together


Tours for Visitors with Special Needs

The Norton Simon Museum provides complimentary educational programming for students and adults with special needs, including tours for:

  • Visitors with developmental and learning disabilities and those on the autism spectrum
  • Visitors who are blind or partially sighted
  • Visitors who are deaf or have hearing loss

Tours are up to one hour in length and focus on Highlights of the Collection or Elements of Art.

For more information, please contact the Education Department at 626.844.6903 or [email protected].


Tours for Visitors who are Blind or Partially Sighted

Tours focus on four to five works of art from the collection. Participants will hear verbal descriptions of specific art works and be able to touch materials represented in the works of art and tools used for making the works as well as raised images of the artworks. Visually-impaired participants will also be allowed to touch a specified sculpture while wearing gloves provided by the museum. Tours are one hour in length.


Tours for Visitors who are Deaf or have Hearing Loss

Tours with ASL interpreters focus on four to five works of art from the collection and last approximately one hour. Assisted listening devices are also available upon request.


More Resources

For additional information on enhancing your visit, please visit our Accessibility page. For planning a trip with children who are anxious about visiting a museum, you may wish to view our image-based booklet. Lots of pictures and simple text help young ones visualize the experience.