Accessibility Statement for VisitKC.com

Visit KC (visitkc.com) is committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of technology or ability. We are actively working to increase the accessibility and usability of our website by adhering to many of the available standards and guidelines.

As Visit KC embarks on a comprehensive redesign of visitkc.com, we remain dedicated to prioritizing site accessibility by integrating it seamlessly into the design process. Our goal is to follow the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) guidelines to simplify navigation, employ reader-friendly font sizes, and thoughtfully chosen color combinations. Additionally, the redesigned website will implement language translations and adhere to best practices to ensure a universally approachable website experience.

While Visit KC (visitkc.com) strives to adhere to accepted guidelines and standards for accessibility and usability, it is not always possible to do so in all areas of the website. This site relies on HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP to fully function.

Feedback

Visit KC (visitkc.com) is continuously seeking solutions to bring all areas of the site up to the same standard of accessibility and usability. Despite our best efforts to ensure accessibility of visitkc.com, there may be some limitations. If you experience any issues accessing visitkc.com or would like to share feedback, please contact us at:

• Website: Contact Visit KC Webform
• Phone: 816-691-3800
• Email: feedback@visitkc.com
• Postal Address: 1100 Walnut Street, Suite 3450A, Kansas City, MO 64106

You can expect a response typically within 5 business days.

A Welcoming Destination

Feature by Kevin Collison

Starting with an airport that’s considered exceptionally user-friendly to a mass transit system featuring a Downtown streetcar line with convenient accessibility for all users, the City is keenly aware of the needs of all travelers.

For the past several years, Kansas City has embraced what it calls Project Civic Access, a program intended to maximize accessibility to public buildings and attractions. It has led to millions of dollars being invested in curb cuts, ramps, new building entrances and state-of-the-art accessible pedestrian signals that tell visually impaired people not only when to cross but the name of the street as well.
 

One of the more prominent accessibility projects is at Bartle Hall, part of the Kansas City Convention Center. Its ground-level entrances along 13^th Street are being completely rebuilt to maximize their convenience to visitors with disabilities.

“It will be very forward looking, very 21^st Century,” said Paul Lillig, a professional design consultant that serves people with disabilities.

The future of new construction also is promising. As part of the city development review process, project plans are evaluated for their accessibility to visitors with disabilities and changes recommended if they fall short.

“That’s why I think we’re trending to being a more accessible community,” Lillig said.
 

The newest way to access Downtown Kansas City is with the 2.2-mile KC Streetcar route that links many of KC’s major attractions and neighborhoods, including the Crown Center District, historic Union Station, the Power & Light District and the historic River Market.

Since its introduction, the KC Streetcar has been a great addition to Downtown's transportation options, particularly in extending the range of power wheelchairs—perfect for exploring all of the new restaurants and experiences in the city.
 

Susie Haake, a disability advocate, added that all of the City’s conventional buses are ramp-equipped and accessible. For more customized trips, there’s the “Freedom” paratransit system, an on-demand service that offers transport outside the city's mandated ADA catchment area. 

“Kansas City’s commitment to becoming one of the nation’s most welcoming cities for people with disabilities is all about living up to its reputation for being one of the nation’s most livable cities,” said David Westbrook, senior vice president of strategy and innovation at Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, and a member of the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities.

Westbrook added that the City has stepped up its efforts to achieve its accessibility goals by consciously empowering people with disabilities to advise leaders on innovative ways to make accommodations that do more than merely dispatch the requirements of the ADA.

“Kansas City brings imagination to the ADA’s requirements, transforming accommodations into amenities that are for the benefit of all.”

Accessibility Resources

At Kansas City International Airport

Kansas City International Airport's amenities include curbside assistance at terminals, ADA-compliant restrooms, visual paging, braille and other accessibility resources for special assistance and special needs travelers. For more information about KCI's accessibility offerings, visit flykci.com. 

Expect an industry-leading accessibility experience at the new single terminal at KCI. Amenities include an all-inclusive play area for children and families with special needs, service animal relief areas, nursing rooms and adult changing tables at bathroom facilities. KCI also offers a state of the art simulation room that provides travelers with an in-depth walkthrough of the airport and flying experience before passengers board their plane.

At the Kansas City Convention Center

Convention Center amenities include ADA-compliant restrooms, family restroom facilities, Text Teletype and assisted listening devices. The Convention Center’s hospitality room will assist meeting planners in securing any other needed equipment. To speak with the Convention Center’s ADA specialist, call 816-513-2533.
 

At Area Hotels

For Visitors: Using our hotel search engine, you can find the specific amenities needed or call the 800 number for assistance in finding a hotel that will meet your needs.

For Meeting Planners: Ask for your hotel’s ADA coordinator for more information about securing a room that meets your client’s specific needs. For assistance locating a hotel in the metro area, click here.

Sensory-Friendly Activities and Things to Do

Other Services

Interpreters

• Able Hands Interpreting Services: 816-838-HAND
• Deaf Expression Inc.: 913-268-3323

Personal Care Assistants

• FirstCall HomeCare: 816-373-9688
• CareStaf Inc.: 913-498-2888

Wheelchairs and Wheelchair Lifts

• Chuck’s Mobility: 913-859-0290
• 101 Mobility: 913-533-7717
• Kansas City Home Medical Supply: 816-533-0444
• American Care Equipment: 913-383-3456

Oxygen

• Liveasy Medical Equipment: 816-318-9950
• Kansas City Home Medical Supply: 816-533-0444

Accessible Vans

• Secure Medical Transport: 816-350-1800

Transportation

Metro Bus Accessibility Program

Passengers with disabilities are eligible for reduced fares with the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA). These travelers may ride The Metro at half the regular cost if they are Medicare card holders. One attendant may ride free. The Metro provides lift service  for passengers who use wheelchairs every bus route.

For more information about The Metro and its routes, visit kcata.org or call Metro Customer Service at 816-221-0660. A teletypewriter is available at 816-221-0380.

Comparable Paratransit

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that all public bus systems provide “comparable paratransit” service for persons who cannot independently use the bus service. Comparable paratransit service is a door-to-door service provided by vans or sedans in The Metro ADA service area. Generally, this service area extends three quarters of a mile on each side of regular bus route service. Comparable paratransit service is available during regular Metro service hours. To take advantage of this service, the visitor must be certified as ADA eligible. Agencies providing ADA comparable paratransit service in the metro area are

• Freedom (primarily Kansas City, Mo.): 816-346-0810
• Dial-A-Ride (Kansas City, Kan.): 913-573-8351
• Dial-A-Ride (Independence, Mo.): 816-325-7399

Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Services

• Secure Transport - Kansas City, wheelchair accessible vehicles available: 816-350-1800
• zTrip - Kansas City, wheelchair accessible vehicles available

Alternate Transportation

• Assisted Healthcare Transportation: 913-262-5190
• Budget Taxi: 816-835-7172
• Checker Services: 816-461-8440
• Medical Transport Services (Basehor, Kan.): 913-963-9117
• Mid-America Wheelchair Services Inc. (Lee’s Summit, Mo.): 816-525-2790
• OATS Inc. (Harrisonville, Mo.): 816-380-7433
• Safe Plus Way: 816-361-5992
• Safe Way Medical Transportation (Shawnee, Kan.): 816-631-5992
• Tiblow Transit (Bonner Springs, Kan.): 913-422-5355

Kansas City ADA Assistance Office

For more resources, please visit the City of Kansas City, Missouri's website or contact 816-513-1836. 

View Resources