Accessibility
We at the Diefenbunker are committed to accommodating your needs to the best of our abilities. We acknowledge that there are pre-existing barriers within our building such as ledges, lips, and stairs that may make it difficult to access some rooms. Please read details below on existing barriers and accommodations in place.
We welcome inquiry, feedback, and resources regarding accessibility and accessibility improvement. Please contact our team to let us know how we can accommodate you on your visit.
Mobility
A wheelchair is available for use upon request.
There is an accessible push button for the main entrance and exit doors.
A stair lift is available in the “A” stairwell of the museum to access all storeys. The lift is for use by wheelchair users, those with limited mobility, or anyone who is unable to use the stairs fully or partially. The lift cannot be used for strollers — the best way to get around underground is with a baby carrier. Please ask a staff member for assistance if you need to use the stair lift.
Watch this video to learn how to use the stair lift.
Service animals
Animals pose additional risks to the integrity of our museum and national historic site and its artifacts within. Pets are not permitted.
Service animals supporting a person with a disability are welcome. Service animals include those readily identified as being used because of a person’s disability, for example wearing a harness, vest, or other visual indicator, or if the person with a disability provides documentation from a regulated health professional confirming the need for a service animal for reasons relating to a disability.
Physical barriers
400 Level – Main Level
Blast Tunnel – The floor of the Blast Tunnel is slightly concave and may be uneven in places. There is a grate across the floor near the entrance.
Entrance – The interior entrance to the museum consists of three (3) rubber threshold ramps that are each one (1) inch in height.
Welcome Desk – The Welcome Desk is located on a raised platform with the edge of the desk at the edge of the platform. Guests can interact with staff at the desk without being on the platform. The desk is about four (4) feet in height.
Decontamination Showers – The Decontamination showers consist of four (4) raised barriers that are each one (1) foot in height. These barriers are identified with yellow and black tape.
Exit – The interior exit from the museum consists of two (2) rubber threshold ramps that are each one (1) inch in height.
Blast Tunnel
Entrance
Welcome Desk
Decontamination Showers
Exit
300 Level
Federal Warning Centre – The Federal Warning Centre consists of raised, theatre-style seating that requires going up stairs. This has a large floor area and everything can be seen from the floor level.
Ottawa Semi-Automatic Exchange (OSAX) – One entrance/exit to OSAX consists of a 6.5-foot ramp with handrails and two (2) rubber threshold ramps that are each one (1) inch in height. The ramp is identified with yellow and black tape. Another exit/entrance from OSAX requires going down a 10-foot ramp with handrails.
CBC Studio – The entrance to the CBC Studio consists of one (1) rubber threshold ramp that is one (1) inch in height.
Federal Warning Centre
OSAX (entrance/exit)
OSAX (entrance/exit)
OSAX (entrance/exit)
CBC Studio
200 Level
CANEX – The entrance to CANEX consists of one (1) raised barrier that is one (1) inch in height. This barrier is identified with yellow and black tape.
100 Level – Bottom Level
Food Storage/Morgue – The entrance into the Food Storage/Morgue requires going down seven (7) steps. At the bottom of the steps, there is one (1) raised barrier that is one (1) foot in height. The barrier is identified with yellow and black tape.
Washrooms
400 Level – Main (Top) Floor
There are three public washrooms available on the 400 Level. One washroom is fully accessible and includes an adult change table. The other two are single-user, all-gender washrooms (not fully accessible).
300 Level
There is one public washroom available on the 300 Level. This is a single-user, all-gender washroom (not fully accessible).
200 Level
There are two public washrooms available on the 200 Level. One is a large men’s washroom with multiple stalls and urinals (not fully accessible). The other is a large women’s washroom with multiple stalls (not fully accessible).
100 Level
There are no washrooms on the 100 Level.
All other washrooms that exist in the facility are no longer suitable for public use.
Accessible Washroom (400 level)
Accessible Washroom (400 level)
Single-User Washroom (300 level)
Men’s Washroom
(200 level)
Women’s Washroom
(200 level)
Parking
Please note that the Diefenbunker is not accessible by public transportation.
The Diefenbunker has on-site parking that is completely free. There is accessible parking to the left of the front doors.
Accessible Parking
Sensory Bag Program
Looking for a sensory-friendly visit? Bags are free to borrow during your visit! Available as backpacks to be carried or as adaptive bags for wheelchairs. Bags come with choices of ear defenders, sunglasses, sensory/fidget toys, colour communication cards, and the museum’s photo scavenger hunt.
Language barriers
All Diefenbunker staff can speak and write fluently in English. Individual staff who speak French are available. Guided tours are available at select times in English and in French, and all the information panels throughout the museum are bilingual (English and French).
We offer a free Audio Guide which is available in ten languages:
- English/Anglais
- French/Français
- Arabic/Arabe/عربى
- German/Allemande/Deutsche
- Inuktitut/Inuktitut/ᐃᓄᒃᑎᑐᑦ
- Italian/Italien/Italiano
- Mandarin/Mandarin/中文
- Ojibwe/Ojibwé/Ojibwe
- Russian/Russe/русский
- Spanish/Espagnol/Español
For more information, please call us at 613‑839‑0007 or 1‑800‑409‑1965, or email us at reservations@diefenbunker.ca.