Recreational Resources

Museums and Gardens

The Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, IL
312-443-3600

The Art Institute provides a gallery audio guide with a comprehensive overview of each area. TacTiles kits represent works of art on handheld tactile tiles and include a color photograph and large-print description. Docent tours are also available with prior notice.

Chicago Botanic Gardens

Glencoe, IL
847-835-5440

The Buehler Enabling Garden is a hands-on teaching garden accessible for everyone. The sensory garden offers the fragrances, sounds, colors, textures and movement of a variety of plants. Guided tours for 15 or more people are available for a fee. Guided tram tours are given mid-May through mid-October.

Morton Arboretum

Lisle, IL
630-968-0074

The Morton Arboretum offers narrated tram and guided walking tours for small groups of the 1,700-acre grounds with over 4,000 types of trees and shrubs, including a fragrance garden.

Audio-Described Theatre Performances

Many theaters offer accessible seating, audio-described performances, touch tours and discounted seats. The following venues offer this service for many of their performances. Contact your local theater to see if it offers this service.

Broadway in Chicago

312-977-1701, ext. 1259

Drury Lane Theatre

Oak Brook Terrace, IL
630-530-8300

Goodman Theater

Chicago, IL
312-443-3800

Lookingglass Theatre

Chicago, IL
312-337-0665

Shakespeare Theatre at Navy Pier

Chicago, IL
312-595-5600

Steppenwolf Theatre

Chicago, IL
312-335-1650

Victory Gardens

Chicago, IL
773- 871-3000

Descriptive Video Services

The 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 requires large networks, cable and satellite companies to provide 50 hours per calendar quarter of prime time and children’s audio-described programming.

Federal Communications Commission

The Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) website has excellent information explaining audio-described television, availability of programming and accessing audio description.

American Foundation of the Blind

The American Foundation for the Blind has a search feature by ZIP code to find audio-described programming in your area, with links for how to access this feature on your TV.

American Council of the Blind

The Audio Description Project initiative by the American Council of the Blind has extensive information on how to access audio-described TV and scheduling.

WTTW-TV

Chicago, IL
773-509-5611

WTTW in Chicago offers selected public-television programs with audio description.

Social Groups

Supper Club at Blind Service Association

Chicago, IL
312-236-0808

Blind Service Association (BSA) has a supper club that meets at a different restaurant each month.

Weekenders Club at Horizons for the Blind

815-444-8800

Weekenders Club is a social group for people with vision loss, their family and friends.

Sports

Achilles International – Chicago

Achilles International provides volunteer guides for runners with vision loss. Achilles hosts Sunday morning runs at Lake Shore Park in Chicago and opportunities to participate in mainstream running events.

Blind Service Association (BSA)

Chicago, IL
312-236-0808

BSA offers Tuesday and Thursday walking clubs, yoga classes and other health-education programs.

Chicago Area Tandem Society

In partnership with west suburban special recreation associations.
Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association (NEDSRA)
630-576-4034

The Chicago Area Tandem Society partners with the special recreation associations in the western suburbs to offer tandem bike rides with a sighted pilot at a variety of events, forest preserves and parks throughout the summer and fall.

RIC Galvin Health and Fitness Center

Chicago, IL
312-238-5002

This health and fitness facility was specifically created for people with physical disabilities. From routine exercise programs to competitive opportunities, RIC’s Fitness Center is equipped to help members reap the benefits of long-term wellness. Personal exercise programs are specially designed for each participant.

Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing Foundation

Burnham Park Sailing Center
Chicago, IL
Seasonal phone number: 312-747-7684

This program offers low-cost sailing lessons designed specifically for people with physical disabilities. All participants are allowed an able-bodied guest to accompany them during their lessons free of charge.

American Blind Skiing Foundation

www.absf.org

Blind and visually impaired skiers learn to use ski equipment and to ski with a sighted guide. As their skill level increases, skiers can navigate down the hill with a guide, using audio cues.

Ski for Light

Ski for Light is a cross-country skiing program for individuals with vision loss. Skiers are paired with a sighted guide who instructs them on proper technique while describing the surrounding environment. Ski locations are throughout the country.

National Beep Baseball Association

Contact: John Herzog
630-910-4038

Beep Baseball provides an opportunity to participate in a team sport. The Chicago Comets play and practice in the Oak Lawn area and travel throughout the country for tournament play. All players are blindfolded to level the playing field.

Midwest Blind Bowlers Association

Contact: Fred Nickl
847-253-3104
fatblindguy@gmail.com

Bowlers with varying degrees of vision, as well as sighted bowlers, can take part in six leagues in the Chicago area. A guide rail is used to aid bowlers.

Drucker Center/Menomonee Judo Club

Paralympics Judo Training Center
Chicago, IL
312-664-4631 or 773-230-6070

Judo classes are customized for adults and children with vision loss. Individual instruction and small-group classes are available.

Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association

Lake Forest, IL
847-283-0908

Sporting opportunities are offered for physically disabled, visually impaired and injured veterans. Ability level ranges from beginners all the way up to Paralympic training.