Overview

Due to the nature of the old building and Kelham Island itself, this isn't the most accessible Sheffield museum. There is level access throughout and lifts available between floors. However not all displays are available (for example one of the working engines requires about 5 stairs up to the viewing platform). Most of the exhibits seemed to be suitable for wheelchair users. There is a very good accessible map in the lobby and there are audio guides etc available. The worst part of the museum is getting into it from the carpark. Due to it being on Kelham Island itself, it is mainly cobbled outside and they're very bumpy and I found it difficult to wheel my rollator across them. I think a wheelchair user would probably struggle quite a lot. There is limited parking and only a couple of blue badge parking spaces (I've never been able to get into one). If you're able to get a blue badge space, there is a specific tarmac path to allow wheelchair users access into the museum. I believe it is also Blind/partially sighted accessible due to the texture and contrast to the surrounding cobbles - it is at the side of the building so as to keep you away from the road as much as possible. There are 2 working engines at Kelham Island. One is a smaller engine that isn't too loud, it is in the entrance lobby area, so the sound does carry. The main engine runs at certain times only, and does make a lot of noise and vibrates the floor etc. The staff can tell you when it will be running so you can avoid it if you wish. There is seating available for this engine. There is some seating available, but due to the nature of the building, there isn't much seating throughout.

Transport & Parking

Public transport is available in the area, but I'm not too sure how near it comes and how accessible the route between the transport and the museum is. There is very limited blue badge parking which means that you usually have to park in the rear - this isn't too far from the entrance, but it is cobbled and therefore very bumpy and hard to navigate on wheels. If you can get in the blue badge spaces, there is a specific tarmac path to follow that keeps you as far from the road as possible and is designed to be wheelchair accessible and navigating with a cane is easier due to the contrast between the tarmac and cobblestones.

Access

Largely the museum is accessible and has lifts available. Some of the backstage areas aren't accessible - if you're attending a talk in the archive areas, you need to be ambulatory in tight spaces with some stairs between levels. Some of the displays aren't wheelchair accessible such as one of the working engines is about 5 stairs to the viewing platform. There is a very good map that utilises Braille and a 3D map. Alternative formats are available via the welcome desk.

Toilets

There is only 1 accessible toilet to my knowledge. It isn't in the main museum, bit is just outside in their other building. The toilet cubicles are very cramped in the regular toilets, and the disabled toilet isn't very big either - it isn't always the cleanest and I've had to untie the emergency cord multiple times - I believe this is mainly because of the amount of school trips they host to attempt to keep the children from lulling the cord.

Staff

All Sheffield Museums staff are very friendly and helpful. They are very good at providing access information such as the location of the lifts - they will wait for you and/or send another staff member to meet you or take you to the correct location when you attend a talk that isn't in the main building.