Under the Disability Awareness & Assistance Program there are a number of resources and services available to travelers. Those services are listed below along with a map highlighting their locations.
All of the services listed below can be found here on this Accessibility Guide map.
All shuttle busses from the ATS Platform to the Remote Parking Lots are fully accessible.
For more information, please call the Parking Information Hotline at (773) 686-7530
International Terminal 5 is not connected to the domestic terminals. If you are arriving on a domestic flight and are connecting on an international flight, you may use the Terminal Transfer Bus (TTB) as an alternative to the ATS System. The Terminal Transfer Bus runs from the secure side of Terminal 3 to Terminal 5, bypassing the security checkpoint in Terminal 5, and is fully accessible.
Getting Through Security
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) offers assistance to travelers with disabilities, medical conditions, or those who might need special accommodations during the security screening process.
TSA Cares is a helpline that provides travelers with disabilities, medical conditions and other special circumstances additional assistance during the security screening process. You may call 72 hours prior to traveling with questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint. For more information, call (855) 787-2227 or visit TSA.gov.
At the airport, travelers requiring special accommodations or concerned about the security screening process at the airport may ask a TSA officer or supervisor for a passenger support specialist who can provide on-the-spot assistance.
Physical Accessibility
Accessible drop-off areas equipped with curb ramps are provided throughout the arrival and departure vehicle loading zones. Throughout the airport restrooms, elevators, signage, telephones, restaurants, drinking fountains and diaper changing facilities are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
All domestic terminal (1, 2 and 3) airline staff in the ticketing areas, and some airlines can be found curbside as well. At the International Terminal 5 you will need to visit your airline's assigned ticketing counter.
The below maps show the distance from the Departures passenger drop off points to the ticket counters for each terminal:
Terminal 1
Terminal 2
Terminal 3
Terminal 5
Service Animal Relief Areas
Service Animal Relief Areas (SARA) are located on the lower levels of Terminals 1, 2 and 5. These are outdoor, gated areas designated for service animal relief and are accessible at all times. There is also an indoor Service Animal
Relief Area in the Terminal 3 Rotunda. All animals must be accompanied and leashed by the owner.
Terminal 1 - Take the elevator located between Door 1C and 1B to Baggage Claim (lower level), exit Door 1A. The SARA will be toward the left.
Terminal 2 - Take the elevator located between Door 2E and 2D to Baggage Claim (lower level), exit Door 2E. The SARA will be toward the right.
Terminal 3 Rotunda - Post security, in the Rotunda (between Terminal 2 & Terminal 3).
Terminal 5 - Take the elevator located between Door 5C and 5B to Baggage Claim (lower level), exit Door 5B. The SARA will be toward the left.
Unisex / Family Companion Restrooms
All restrooms located throughout the airport have wheelchair accessible facilities. In addition, there are Unisex / Family Companion Restrooms located in all terminals.
Terminal 1 - B14 (2), B10, C19(2), Baggage Claim (2)
Terminal 2 - Across from the Children's Museum (2), E5, Baggage Claim
Terminal 3 - G11, Rotunda, H14, H2, H5, H12 (2), K1 (2), L10, L21, L24 L5, Baggage Claim (2)
Terminal 5 - Near Security Checkpoint, Food Court Area
Elevators
Elevators located in all terminals provide access to all passenger levels of the terminal complex. All elevator button panels are equipped with Braille and raised numerals.
Click here to view a list of the elevators at O'Hare.
Public Transportation / CTA, Pace, and Metra
CTA
The CTA Blue Line train provides service between downtown Chicago and O'Hare. The station is equipped with an elevator to take passengers with mobility impairments to and from the platform.
Not all CTA Stations are accessible. To view a list of accessible stations click here.
To view real time CTA elevator alerts, click here.
All CTA trains and buses are accessible.
For more information, please visit www.transitchicago.com or call the CTA at 888-YOURCTA (968-7282) or TTY (888) CTATTY1 (888-282-8891).
PACE
Pace Bus operates fixed-bus routes through the Chicago suburbs, two of which, Routes 250 and 330, stop at O'Hare's Economy Lot E. Every Pace bus is accessible. All buses are accessible.
Paratransit is also available to qualified individuals. ADA Paratransit is a service that provides transportation for people with disabilities who cannot take regular fixed route transportation some or all of the time. It operates within 3/4 of a mile of any fixed route bus route. The service area includes all parts of the City of Chicago including both airports. Those who qualify for paratransit elsewhere that are planning to visit Chicago should contact the RTA to receive temporary eligibility within Chicago.
For more information about Pace, please visit the Pace website (PACE Accessible Fixed Route Service / Pace Paratransit Service) or call Pace at (847) 364-PACE (7223) or TTY (708) 339-4062.
For more information about paratransit services within the Chicagoland area, please visit the Pace Paratransit Service Guide or call Pace Paratransit Service Customer Relations at (800) 606-1282.
METRA
Travelers can also take the METRA North Central Service train, which offers service between Chicago’s Union Station and Antioch. The station can be reached by taking the ATS to Remote Parking and boarding the "Parking Lot F" airport shuttle. The ATS platform and airport shuttle buses are both accessible. Each train has at least one car equipped with a lift, identified with the international "access" symbol.
To learn more about the Metra's accessibility offerings, click here.
Beginning May 30, 2018, the ATS will be closed 24 hours a day, Monday through Friday. The CDA will operate shuttle buses to transport passengers and employees between terminals (Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 5) and from the terminals to each economy parking lot (Lots E, G, H) as well as the Metra O'Hare Transfer station. These accessible buses kneel to the curb and offer securement systems for passengers with wheelchairs. The shuttle buses will operate continuously to ensure prompt and reliable service while the ATS is closed.
View flyer for more details.
Public Transportation / RTA
Use the RTA Trip Planning Tool or call the RTA at 312-836-7000 to find accessible routes to and from the airport.
Rental Cars
The following rental car companies provide hand-controlled vehicles for persons with mobility impairments. Agencies request notification 2-3 days prior to pick-up.
Ace (no special services webpage)
Alamo
Avis
Budget
Dollar (no special services webpage)
Enterprise
Hertz (must search 'disability')
National
Payless
Thrifty
The rental car shuttles pick up at the Arrivals curb located on the lower level outside of Baggage Claim.
Taxis
More than 300 accessible taxicabs are available in the City of Chicago. You can request an accessible taxicab by notifying the cab starters at the taxi lines located outside baggage claim; by calling the City's accessible taxicab dispatcher, Open Taxi, at (855) WAV-1010; or by using the OpenTaxi app, which you can download to your cell phone.
For more information visit: http://www.opentaxis.com/.
Travelers Aid
Travelers Aid Chicago is a social service agency located at O'Hare. It provides guidance, support and advocacy services for passengers during travel. The professional staff in both the booths and the main office can assist with crisis intervention information as well as social services for travelers and visitors.
In addition to providing general airport information, Travelers Aid also provides Protective Travel Service and Crisis Intervention. This includes
pre-arranged services for:
- persons with hidden disabilities
- passengers with cognitive or developmental disabilities, mental health needs, anxiety, trauma and more
- refugees, runaways, Wounded Warrior Project participants, repatriation cases and more
- participants seeking a pre-travel practice experience
Travelers Aid staff and volunteers also assist with crisis intervention including, but not limited to:
- Displaced passengers
- Lost passports and/or identification
- Travelers in need of emergency provisions such as clothes, formula, diapers, etc
- Passengers in personal crisis situations
Main Office Location: Terminal 2, Post-security next to Children's Museum
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am - 9pm | Saturday-Sunday 10am - 9pm
Info Desk Locations:
Terminal 1 | Gate B7 | Gate C18
| Baggage Claim
Terminal 2 | Gate F4
| Baggage Claim
Terminal 3 | Gate K2
| Baggage Claim
Terminal 5
| Upper Level/Ticketing Area
Terminal 5
| Lower Level/Arrival Area
Info Desk Hours: Monday-Friday 9am - 8pm | Saturday-Sunday 10am - 8pm
For further information, contact Travelers Aid Chicago at (773) 894-2427 or by email at travelersaid@heartlandalliance.org.
Visit their website at https://www.heartlandalliance.org/program/travelers-aid-chicago/
ADA Coordinator
Complaints and comments about ADA/Accessibility services and facilities at O'Hare can be sent to the airports ADA Coordinator, Gretchen Meyer, at gretchen.meyer@cityofchicago.org.
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