Accessibility Guide

Additional Resources

List of Airlines at O'Hare International Airport
Air Carrier Access Act
Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
TSA Cares
US Department of Transportation New Horizons information for travelers with disabilities
Open Taxis
Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD)
Persons with Disabilities' Parking Placard Program
City of Chicago Non-Discrimination Policy
City Grievance Procedure

Airport Transit System (ATS)

The O'Hare Airport Transit System (ATS or “people mover) is closed 24/7 to finalize modernization efforts and expansion of the system.

In order to maintain a travel connection between all of O’Hare’s terminals and parking lots, 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); the Multi-Modal Facility, where Lot F and rental cars are housed; and the Metra O’Hare Transfer station. The buses will operate continuously to ensure prompt and reliable service while the ATS is closed.

Buses arrive every 5-15 min
Bus stops are located on both the upper level and the lower level, depending on the route and terminal:

Buses to parking lot F and for rental cars stop on lower level
Buses to all terminals and all other remote parking lots (E, G, H) stop on upper level from the domestic terminals (1,2 & 3) and lower level in Terminal 5.

Buses from the Multi Modal Facility are located on the main level

Buses are routed to specific terminals and arrive every 5-15 min

If connecting between domestic Terminals 1, 2 & 3, you DON’T have to leave the secured side and take the shuttle buses, you can simply follow the overhead signage to guide you between all domestic terminals.

The CDA is committed to providing a quick and reliable bus shuttle service as the ATS modernization is finalized. The new ATS is scheduled to return to service in early 2020.

View map of shuttle bus service routes.

Changing Places Facility

This first-of-its-kind facility provides a restroom, shower and other ADA features for disabled passengers. It is located in Terminal 2 near security checkpoint 5 (Gate F3).

The facility is equipped with a motorized passenger lift system that provides access to the rooms adult changing table (can support max load of 330lbs. ), (2) fully accessible showers (includes roll in and transfer seat types), accessible wall mount toilet, accessible sink, two emergency pull cords that are connected to the O’Hare Communication Center (OCC), clear floor space and grab bars near all plumbing fixtures and terrazzo flooring, LED lighting fixtures and an automatic operable door.

Contact Us / 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.

Complaints and comments about ADA/Accessibility services and facilities within other City of Chicago facilities and departments can be sent to the City’s ADA coordinator, Karen Tamley, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, at karen.tamley@cityofchicago.org

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.

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, email TSA-ContactCenter@dhs.gov or visit tsa.gov.

At the airport, travelers requiring special accommodations or who are 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.

Parking Facilities

O'Hare offers 325 accessible parking spaces in its parking facilities. All spaces are located adjacent to elevator centers, sidewalks, bus stops and the Airport Transit System (ATS) platform in Economy Lot E. All accessible parking spaces are wide enough to allow for lift or ramp access, but not all provide sufficient height for traditional accessible vans. Below is a breakdown of the number of spaces and height restrictions for each lot.

Garage: Level 1 (17), Level 2 (18), Level 3 (18), Level 4 (19), Level 5 (17) Level 6 (19) // Height Restriction 6'6"
Lot B: 9 spaces // Height Restriction 9'
Lot C: 11 spaces // Height Restriction 8'5"
Lot D (International Lot): 18 spaces // Height Restriction - None
Lot E: 118 spaces // Main Entrance - Height Restriction 17' 2', Side Entrance - Temporarily Closed
Lot F: 40 spaces // Height Restriction 8’ 2”
Lot G: 39 spaces // Height Restriction - None
Lot H: 22 spaces // Height Restriction - None

All shuttle buses from the ATS Platform to the Remote Parking Lots kneel to the curb and offer securement systems for passengers with wheelchairs. Each bus can accommodate two passengers riding in wheelchairs.

For more information, please call the Parking Information Hotline at (773) 686-7530

Beginning May 30, 2018, the ATS will be closed 24 hours a day. Economy lots E, G, and H can be accessed by taking designated shuttle buses. 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

Beginning October 31, 2018, Lot F can be accessed by taking designated accessible shuttle buses. Pick up buses to Multi Modal Facility and Lot F on the lower level of all terminals by following signs to Rental Cars.

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).

In all domestic terminal (1, 2 and 3) airline staff can be found 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

Public Transportation (CTA/Pace/Paratransit/Metra/RTA)

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. Please speak to CTA personnel if you need gap filler boards to bridge the space between the platform and the rail car. ;

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.

For more information about Pace, please visit www.pacebus.com or call Pace at (847) 364-PACE (7223) or TTY (708) 339-4062.

Beginning May 30, 2018, the ATS will be closed 24 hours a day. PACE buses 250, 330, and Metra North Central Service can be accessed by taking CDA-operated shuttle buses from the terminals to economy parking E as well as to 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.

Paratransit

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 paratransit services within the Chicagoland area, please 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.

For more information about Metra, please visit www.metrarail.com, call 312- 322-6777 or TTY (312) 322-6774. For more information about the Metra's accessibility offerings, click here.

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

All rental car companies that are located at the O’Hare Multi Modal Facility (Advantage, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, E-Z, Fox, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt, and Thrifty) and are reached by taking a shuttle bus. The rental car shuttle buses pick up at the Arrivals curb located on the lower level outside of Baggage Claim. All shuttle buses are wheelchair accessible.

Offsite rental car companies that are not located on O’Hare property offer shuttles from the Multi Modal Facility but may not offer accessible transportation. Please reach out to your off-property rental car company for more information.

The following rental car companies provide hand-controlled vehicles for persons with mobility impairments. Agencies request notification 2-3 days prior to pick-up.

Alamo
Avis
Budget
Dollar (no special services webpage)
Enterprise
Fox (view “Drivers With Disabilities” on FAQ)
Hertz (must search 'disability')
National
Payless
Sixt (view “Americans With Disabilities Act” under Rental Information)
Thrifty

Restrooms

All restrooms located throughout the airport have wheelchair accessible facilities. In addition, there are All Gender Restrooms located in all terminals.

Terminal 1 - B1 (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, Baggage Claim (2)
Terminal 5 - Outside security near Checkpoint, Food Court Area
Multi Modal Facility (Rental Cars/Lot F) – North and South Escalator Core on Level 1

Rideshare

The following rideshare companies offer wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAV) to passengers with mobility disabilities within the Chicagoland area. You can request a WAV by opening your rideshare phone application and selecting the WAV option. Rideshares pick-up on the upper/Departures level of Terminal 2 between vestibules 2A and 2D and vestibule 5C on the lower level of Terminal 5.

Lyft (Enable Access Mode in settings)

Uber (Select UberWAV)

Service Animal Relief Areas

Service Animal Relief Areas (SARA) are located on the outside security on the lower levels of Terminals 1, 2 and 5 and inside security in the Terminal 3 Rotunda. All animals must be accompanied and leashed by the owner.

Outside Security

These SARAs are outdoor, gated areas designated for service animal relief and are accessible at all times.

Terminal 1 – Outside Arrivals/lower level Door 1A.The SARA will be toward the left.

Terminal 2 – Outside Arrivals/lower level Door 2A. The SARA will be toward the right.

Terminal 5 – Outside Arrivals/lower level Door 5B. The SARA will be toward the left.

Multi Modal Facility (Rental Cars/Lot F) – The SARA is located immediately North of the lobby.

Inside Security

This SARA is designed for service animal relief, and is accessible at all times when one is within security.

Terminal 3 Rotunda - Post security, in the Rotunda (between Terminal 2 & Terminal 3)

Terminal 3 Main Hall - Post security, next to the Lotto booth and down the hall from gate K1

Taxis

More than 300 accessible taxicabs are available in the City of Chicago. When departing the airport, you can request an accessible taxicab by notifying the cab starters at the taxi lines located outside baggage claim. When traveling to the airport, you can request an accessible taxicab 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. Cabs dispatched by Open Taxi are licensed by the City of Chicago but do offer service to the Chicago suburbs, including NW Indiana and Southern Wisconsin. Open Taxi recommends calling ahead to reserve longer trips.

Passengers traveling to the Chicago suburbs, please note: Trips from the airports to all suburbs, except those listed below, are STRAIGHT METER PLUS ONE-HALF the STRAIGHT METERED FARE from the airport to the suburban destination. The following are straight meter:

Alsip, Bedford Park, Blue Island, Burbank, Burnham, Calumet City, Calumet Park, Cicero, Des Plaines, Dolton, Elk Grove Village, Elmwood Park, Evanston, Evergreen Park, Forest View, Harwood Heights, Hines VA Hospital, Hometown, Lincolnwood, Merrionette Park, Niles, Norridge, Oak Lawn, Oak Park, Park Ridge, Riverdale, River Grove, Rosemont, Skokie, Stickney, and Summit.

For more information visit: http://www.opentaxis.com/.

Telephones

Hook-ups for operator-assisted teletypewriters (TTY) are available 24 hours a day and located at the following locations:

Terminal 2 – Baggage Claim

Terminal 3 – Baggage Claim

Terminal 5 – Arrivals Level

Bus Shuttle Center

Terminal Transfer Bus (one-way connection from Domestic Terminal 3 to Terminal 5)

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 that is departing from Terminal 5, 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 1 and 3 (gates B1, G17, K20 or L24) to Terminal 5 (gate M1), bypassing the security checkpoint in Terminal 5.

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 the ORD Family Lounge
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am - 9pm | Saturday-Sunday 10am - 9pm

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 www.travelersaidchicago.org

Wheelchair/Mobility Assistance

To assist with you through O'Hare, each airline offers wheelchair assistance to passengers with mobility issues. This service can assist you in traveling to or transferring between gates. Each airline coordinates their own wheelchair assistance. Contact your airline prior to travel to add this to your reservation.