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Disability discounts in Chicago

Free personal-care-assistant tickets at the Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium. Millennium Park, Lincoln Park Zoo, Navy Pier entry, the Cultural Center, and the Riverwalk are free for all. CTA reduced-fare permits available for qualifying riders.

In Chicago the standard disability benefit is a free PCA (personal care assistant) ticket for a paid disabled guest. Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium publish this outright. Free for everyone: Millennium Park, Lincoln Park Zoo, Navy Pier, the Cultural Center, the Riverwalk. Qualifying disabled riders can apply for an RTA Reduced Fare or Ride Free permit.

Disability discounts at major Chicago attractions

Disability discounts at major Chicago attractions
AttractionStandard adultDisabled visitorCompanion
Field MuseumFrom 30 dollarsStandard rateFree (paid PCA)
Shedd AquariumVariable (Chicago resident 19.95 dollars)Standard rateFree (PCA, contact in advance)
Art Institute of Chicago32 dollarsStandard rateStandard rate
Willis Tower SkydeckFrom 32 dollarsStandard rateStandard rate
360 CHICAGOFrom 30 dollars onlineStandard rateStandard rate
Adler Planetarium25 dollarsStandard rateStandard rate
Griffin Museum of Science and IndustryVariable (timed)Standard rateStandard rate
Navy PierFree (pier entry)Free (pier entry)Free (pier entry)
Lincoln Park ZooFreeFreeFree
Millennium ParkFreeFreeFree
Chicago Cultural CenterFreeFreeFree
CTA bus and L (with permit)Standard fareReduced or free with RTA permitStandard fare

How the PCA-free policy works

The Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium are the two major Chicago venues that publish the personal-care-assistant benefit on their accessibility pages: a paid guest with a severe disability brings a PCA, and the PCA is admitted free. At the Shedd, contact the aquarium in advance to arrange the complimentary companion ticket. At the Field Museum, request it at the admissions desk on arrival.

RTA permits for transit

Two RTA permits give discounts on CTA, Metra, and Pace fixed-route services. The Ride Free Permit is open to disabled riders enrolled in Illinois Benefit Access. Other qualifying disabled riders can apply for the Reduced Fare Permit. Both require proof of disability: an SSA printout (dated this year, showing the word disabled), or a doctor-completed form with a diagnosis letter. Apply through the RTA before you travel.

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