Overview

I had a great experience here! My partner and I are both autistic manual wheelchair users (although I have a power assist), and I am also deaf. I loved the size of the lifts at this museum and also really enjoyed that all videos were subtitled with the majority having BSL interpretation. On the downside, the interactive screens were really difficult to use (I don't know if this was just the calibration, but this definitely needs to be sorted) which made it really difficult for wheelchair users or those with physical disabilities to use. However, everything was very open plan and all doors being power-assisted made such a difference! I noticed there was definitely a lot of thought into the access, such as low tables with space under for wheelchair for all the videos displayed, the power-assisted doors, induction loops, textphone, and BSL use.

Transport & Parking

I don't drive and thus took public transport. However, there are four accessible parking bays at the front of the museum for use by disabled visitors who hold a Blue Badge. We went by metro which was about 5-10 minutes roll from Haymarket Metro station and the museum is well signposted from Haymarket. There is also a Haymarket bus interchange which lots of buses go to and also is clearly signposted. If you cycle, the museum has lots of bike racks right outside the main entrance.

Access

The main entrance has stairs leading up to it and this door is not power-assisted. However, there are three alternative entrances. There is an accessible ramp on the Claremont roadside of the building, which has two accessible routes: one from Claremont Road and one at the front corner of the museum providing level access to the front entrance with power-assisted doors to the reception desk and shop area. On the other side of the entrance towards the Central Motorway, there is an outside platform lift and has level access to power-assisted doors to the entrance of the museum. There is also a back entrance to the Street Café and back area of the museum which has level access and a power-assisted door. However, it is worth noting that the ramps have a relatively steep incline and are quite long - and although I did not have any issues, I have been using my wheelchair for a long time and also have power assistance. All videos throughout the museum were subtitled with the majority also having BSL interpretation which was great! On the downside, the interactive screens were really difficult to use. I don't know if this was just the calibration, but it was extremely difficult to click onto an aspect of the interactive screen to get it to work, and often, you had to keep your finger held down for a video to be played - made it really difficult to use (I have joint pain and get frequent dislocations), especially for wheelchair users or those with physical disabilities. There are two lifts, one is small and does lead to the one door that isn't power assisted! However, the other lift is extremely spacious and would be big enough to include many wheelchair users! The museum is spread out on both the ground and first floor which have complete level access. There are also stairs which have raised tactile indicators on the underside of the handrails and contrasting nosings - useful for anyone who has a visual impairment! There are large print orientations maps available on request at the reception desk or ahead of visiting. The reception desk also has a bowl of water that can be provided for assistance dogs, and the shop has a telephone for use so that disabled people can get a taxi. There are several induction loop points, including at the Reception Desk, cafés, and interactive points in the galleries. There is wooden bench seating in the main entrance, and in several of the galleries around the museum. The museum also has a manual wheelchair that can be borrowed as well as portable folding seats which visitors can carry with them. The café has a mixture of leather and wooden chairs with and without arms.

Toilets

There are accessible toilets on every floor of the museum but they do not use the RADAR key. On the ground floor, the accessible toilet also has an accessible shower and an adult changing table. They are very spacious and definitely would have enough space for a wheelchair and at least one PA/carer. I also liked that not only does the tap of the sink have power assistance, but so does the entrance and locking of the door. However, the red cord does not reach to the floor which could cause issues.

Staff

I didn't need the staff much but they were very friendly as we entered and offered us a map.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

I would definitely recommend this museum to others - especially as it is also free! I think they could make some improvements to the interactive screens so that they don't have to be pushed as hard and also ensure that the red cord of the accessible toilets reaches the floor, but I'll definitely be coming again!

Photos