At Science North, we work hard to make sure that visitors have appropriate accommodations and facilities to enjoy our sites!
- ACCESSIBLE PARKING, ENTRANCE, AND SCIENCE CENTRE NAVIGATION
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Accessible parking spaces at our Bell Grove site are located at the front of the main parking lot. These spaces allow close access to the main entrance of the science centre. The iconic double helix ramp between floors within the science centre is wheelchair accessible and an elevator is also available for guests to move between floors.
Accessible seating is also available in our IMAX® Theatre, Planetarium, Discovery Theatre, and all object theatres.
At Dynamic Earth, accessible parking spaces are available in the main parking lot next to the pathway to the main entrance. An elevator is available for navigating between floors and the underground tour is fully accessible to those in wheelchairs. The outdoor science park also includes pathways that are wheelchair accessible.
Accessible seating is also available in our Epiroc Theatre and our Nickel City Stories object theatre.
- ADMISSION AND SUPPORT PERSONS
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We welcome support persons at Science North. When a person with a disability requires a support person to help with communication, mobility, access to goods or services, or help with personal or medical care, the support person will not be charged an admission fee.
- AUDITORY AIDS
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Hearing loop systems are available at our Bell Grove site at the front desk and in the Discovery Theatre. Individuals with t-coil equipped hearing aids can connect to the loop system to receive audio directly to their hearing aids. These systems were made available in partnership with the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association Sudbury Branch.
The elevator at our Bell Grove site is equipped with auditory feedback to indicate the current floor and direction of travel. - FINANCIAL ACCESSIBILITY
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INDIGENOUS ACCESS ADMISSION POLICY
Indigenous People (self-identifying First Nations, Métis and Inuit people) can now receive general admission to both Science North and Dynamic Earth, including the underground tour, free of charge. This admission policy is a way to show our commitment to deepening engagement, relationships, and partnerships in order to advance truth and reconciliation, honour, and reflect Indigenous ways of knowing to collaborate with Indigenous Peoples as partners, in order to inspire all people to be engaged with science.
Please note this does not include parking, IMAX® films, the Planetarium, special events or programming such as camps or NIGHTLIFE on the Rocks.
Please visit our admission desk during regular hours to obtain your ticket(s).
CANOO NEWCOMER ACCESS PROGRAM
The Canoo app provides newcomers (recent permanent residents and new citizens) to Canada with increased access to cultural and destination experiences. Canoo members receive the following discounts at Science North and Dynamic Earth:
- First-year members: 100% off admission
- Second-year members: 50% off admission
- Third-year members: 25% off admission
- Fourth-year members: 15% off admission
Please note this does not include parking, IMAX® films, the Planetarium, special events or programming such as camps or NIGHTLIFE on the Rocks.
For more information or to join Canoo, visit here.
SCIENCE FOR ALL
To ensure that our ticket price is not a barrier to access for underserved populations, Science North has launched the Science For All fund which provides free access to our science centres increasing the number of individuals, groups, and communities who can access Science North facilities and experiences. Science for All ensures programs related to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) are attainable to anyone living in Sudbury and across Northern Ontario.
Please note passes are for general admission to Science North OR Dynamic Earth and does not include parking, IMAX® films, the Planetarium, special events or programming such as camps or NIGHTLIFE on the Rocks.
To access passes through the Science For All Fund please submit your information in the corresponding forms below:
- MOBILITY AIDS
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Wheelchairs and strollers are available for loan at our front desks. Visitors can borrow one of these devices for the duration of their visit by leaving a piece of ID with front desk staff. Wheelchairs and strollers are provided on a first-come first-served basis.
- NURSING AND BABY CARE
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In accordance with Ontario Law, Science North welcomes caregivers to nurse their children in any public visitor spaces of the science centre where they’re authorized to be, regardless of the use of a privacy drape/cover.
Should caregivers desire a more secluded location to pump milk, feed, or care for their children in a quiet, private space, please ask a Bluecoat and they will be able to connect you with such a space.
At our Bell Grove site, the TD Canada Trust Toddler’s Treehouse, located between the ground and second floors, is a great educational play area dedicated to young children from newborn to age five. A bottle warmer can be found on this floor as well.
There are diaper-changing stations in all of our accessible bathrooms, including the single-user restrooms and family-care stations.
- RESTROOMS
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All our restrooms, except those on the second floor of our Bell Grove site, include stalls or rooms accessible to those using mobility aids. We have several fully accessible, gender-neutral restrooms – including two on the second floor of the IMAX® building, and a family restroom on the fourth floor of the science centre, complete with an adult change table.
- SENSORY AIDS
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A limited number of Sensory Backpacks are available for loan at our front desks for visitors experiencing sensory difficulties. Backpacks include a pair of noise-cancelling earmuffs, a variety of fidget toys, and timers.
- SENSORY SUNDAYS
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Science North is for everyone! If our regular operations are a little too much for your senses to handle, join us for a Sensory Sunday, for a quieter, sensory friendly experience. During this event, sounds will be turned down or off, lighting will be adjusted, the science centre will be less busy, and certain spaces will be set up as sensory break spaces. At noon, catch a special sensory-friendly IMAX® with house lights on, reduced volume, and no trailers or preshow!
- SERVICE ANIMALS
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Service animals are welcome at the Science Centre. For the health and safety of you and your service animal and of our animal ambassadors and staff, we ask you not to approach a Bluecoat who has an animal in their hands outside an animal habitat.
Where it is not readily apparent that the customer uses the animal for reasons relating to his or her disability, Science North may ask whether this is a service animal, request a letter from a regulated health professional confirming that the person requires the animal for reasons related to the disability.
A regulated health professional is defined as a member of one of the following colleges:- College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario
- College of Chiropractors of Ontario
- College of Nurses of Ontario
- College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario
- College of Optometrists of Ontario
- College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
- College of Physiotherapists of Ontario
- College of Psychologists of Ontario
- College of Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Mental Health Therapists of Ontario
- Or other health professional as may be warranted
- SUMMER CAMP INCLUSION NEEDS
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We welcome campers with special needs; however, our camps are not able to support all needs. Science North cannot provide a 1:1 staff / child ratio. Please speak with the Science North team to review your individual child's situation prior to registration (1-800-461-4898).
For more information on our kids programs, visit here. - UNFORESEEN CLOSURE NOTIFICATION
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If Science North or Dynamic Earth must close unexpectedly, we will inform the public using the following channels:
- Website: Alert banner on our homepage at sciencenorth.ca
- Social Media: Updates on our official accounts — @sciencenorth on Facebook, X, Instagram
- Phone Lines: Recorded message with details — 705-522-3701
- Electronic Billboards: Notices outside the science centres on Paris Street and Ramsey Lake Road
- E-Newsletter: Sent to Science North subscribers via e-mail
- Media Advisory: Shared with all Greater Sudbury news outlets
Communication methods may vary based on the expected closure duration.
ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT
Science North is committed to ensuring equal access and participation for people with disabilities. We are committed to treating people with disabilities in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. We believe in integration and we are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner. We will do so by removing and preventing barriers to accessibility and meeting our accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) and Ontario’s accessibility laws.
Science North is committed to meeting its current and ongoing obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code respecting non-discrimination.
Science North understands that obligations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) and its accessibility standards do not substitute or limit its obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code or obligations to people with disabilities under any other law.
Science North is committed to excellence in serving and providing goods, services or facilities to all customers, including people with disabilities. Our accessible customer service policies are consistent with the principles of independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity for people with disabilities.
YOU MAY WRITE TO US DIRECTLY AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS:
ATTN: Accessibility Feedback
SCIENCE NORTH
100 Ramsey Lake Road
Sudbury, ON
P3E 5S9
Please make sure to include details in your comments, including location, time, date and a means to contact you, such as a phone number, physical mailing address or email address.
If you require this information in a different format, please call 705-522-3701 or email contactus [at] sciencenorth.ca (contactus[at]sciencenorth[dot]ca).
Read more about the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, the Integrated Accessibility Standards, and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, on the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services website.
