Resources for People with Disabilities

Beach Wheelchairs

The Town has purchased beach wheelchairs for your use while visiting Nantucket. Please call the Department of Public Works to reserve your beach wheelchair and for any questions that you might have.

Department of Public Works 508-228-7244

Portable Ramps For Disabled Renters

The Commission on Disability on Nantucket has purchased an eight-foot portable ramp, a ten-foot portable ramp, (2) five-foot ramps, and (2) twenty-four inch portable threshold ramps for Nantucket’s disabled visitors to borrow while they are visiting the island.

The eight-foot ramp and ten-foot ramp are typically used to ramp two or three steps. Many decks, stoops, and porches have several steps leading up to them, and with this portable ramp a wheelchair user may be able to gain access to this porch, stoop, or deck. The five-foot ramp is typically used when there is only one step involved. Many times there is small step from the porch, deck, or stoop to the home’s entrance. The threshold ramp may help the disabled person gain access to the home if the step is not too high.

As you are probably aware, there are only a few wheelchair accessible homes for rent on Nantucket. These ramps can make an inaccessible entrance become accessible. Contact Brenda McDonough to reserve a ramp.

This is a courtesy service from the Commission on Disability.

Email Brenda McDonough
(508) 228-8085 (Work)
(508) 228-5409 (Home)

How to obtain a Nantucket Disabled Parking Permit Application

  • Download a disabled parking permit application (PDF)
  • Visit your Nantucket physician for an application
  • Contact the Nantucket Commission on Disability for an application and an application will be sent to you
  • Part-time residents and full-time residents may apply

If the anticipated length of your temporary disability is less than six months please complete your application and apply for a temporary permit at the Nantucket Police Station at 4 Fairgrounds Rd.

If the anticipated length of your temporary disability is six months or greater please send your completed application to the Commission on Disability at the address on the application.

If you have a permanent disability please send your completed application to the Commission on Disability at the address on the application.

Accessible Facilities

Museums

Currently, there are four accessible museums in town, the Whaling Museum located on Broad Street, the Maria Mitchell Association on vestal Street, NHA Research Library on Fair Street, and the Nantucket Lightship Basket Museum located on Union Street

Libraries

The newly-renovated Nantucket Atheneum (public library) is located downtown at 1 India Street and it is entirely accessible. The accessible entrance is located on the east side of the main building. All rooms are accessible and can be reached by elevator

Post Office

All branches of the Post Office, Federal Street, Sparks Avenue, and Sconset are fully Accessible

Banks

All the banks on Nantucket are wheelchair accessible except the downtown branch of the Pacific Nation Bank.

Dreamland Theater

Dreamland is completely wheelchair accessible so their physically disabled patrons can independently navigate all levels of the theater.

The Dreamland's Hearing-impaired patrons will enjoy all performances, live or film, with the Dreamland's personal, portable, wireless Assistive Listening Devices. Their deaf patrons will enjoy most first run Hollywood digital films with their wireless, personal, in-theater closed captioning viewing device. 

Their blind and sight-impaired patrons will enjoy many first run Hollywood digital films with the Dreamland's Descriptive Video Service. This service provides narrated descriptions of key visual elements during pauses in the movie's soundtrack through a wireless headset. All of these devices can be used in any seat in the theater.

Please note that not all films will have closed captioning and descriptive video services.

Shuttle Bus

  • Your Island Ride 508-325-7516
  • Operated by Nantucket Regional Transit Authority (NRTA). Hours: Monday-Friday from 8 a.m - 4 p.m. You must be eligible for this transportation and advanced reservations are required. Please contact the NRTA for questions and service

Paratransit Service

  • This service is provided by the Nantucket Regional Transit Authority 508-325-9571

Tour Van

  • Nantucket Island Tour 508-228-0334 (must call at least 24 hours in advance to make a reservation requesting the wheelchair accessible vehicle)

Wheelchair Accessible Taxis

Hours: On demand eighteen hours a day, seven days a week. The rates for these taxis are the same rates for a non-accessible taxi.

  • Nan's Taxi 508-228-9410 - Owner: Val Ryder; R&R Taxi 508-228-9410 - Owner: Val Ryder
  • KCK Taxi 508-228-7874 - Owner: Ken Murray
  • Altar Rock Taxi 508-648-5566 - Owner: Headley Bowen