• The mission of the Chicago Zoological Society is to help people develop a sustainable and harmonious relationship with nature. In so doing, the Society shall provide for the recreation and education of the people, the conservation of wildlife, and the discovery of biological knowledge. The Society pursues this mission principally through its management of Brookfield Zoo for the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, and it solicits a balanced base of public and private support for its activities.

Brookfield Zoo continually strives to make the zoo accessible for guests with disabilities. The zoo is a leader in services to people with disabilities, and was recognized in 1999 with the American Association of Museum's Accessibility Award for having a universal design that accommodates all people, regardless of ability.

All exhibits, restrooms, restaurants, Motor Safari trams, and zoo shops are wheelchair accessible. All of the zoo's education programs can be accessed by people with disabilities. Please contact the Education Department at (708) 485-0263, ext. 361 prior to your visit to make arrangements.

To make your visit more enjoyable:

• Convenient handicapped parking is available at both entrances.
• Electronic convenience vehicles (ECVs), adult and child strollers, and wagons are available for rent near the North and South Gates. To reserve an ECV, please call (708) 485-0263, ext. 809 (same day reservations are not accepted.)
• Assistive listening devices for zoo tours and presentations and large-print maps with access information are available free of charge in the Administration Building near the South Gate and at the Member Relations booth near the North Gate.
• Braille handouts are available at Children's Zoo.
• Life-size status and cutouts of animals are located throughout the zoo.
• Sign language interpreters are available for programs and classes by advance request.
• Brookfield Zoo has a teletype writer (TTY); the TTY number is (708) 485-0360. Public phones have volume adjustment capability.
• The Motor Safari is wheelchair accessible, and one Snowball Express bus (winter transportation around the zoo grounds) is equipped with a motorized lift.