Accessibility

Newcastle Museum is an accessible facility for everyone and complies with all accessibility and disability access guidelines.

All exhibitions can be easily accessed by wheelchairs and strollers and we welcome attendance by groups and families.

We endeavour to ensure our exhibitions and public programs can be enjoyed by all and are continuously working on new ways to make temporary and permanent exhibitions more inclusive.

If you ever have any questions about how you can participate in museum activities or if you have specific access requirements, do not hesitate to call our friendly staff on 4974 1401.

Newcastle Museum Welcomes BindiMaps

BindiMaps is a mobile app that locates users precisely in indoor spaces. It uses a simple, natural language audio system to describe where users are, what’s around them and the best way to get to their chosen destination.

BindiMaps is a free to download from your App store. Once installed you can use it in and around the Museum. Ensure you have your location service enabled.

Accessible Parking

Designated public parking spaces are available in the Wright Lane carpark for Mobility Parking Scheme permit holders. This carpark is managed by Carepark who can be contacted via email at [email protected] Web address:  www.carepark.com.au

Accessing the Museum

• A clear well-made path of travel with a firm, non-slip surface is available to the premise.
• The path has a clear width at least 1000mm wide for its whole length
• The path of travel is level or ramped with no steps, there are wheelchair seating spaces available
• Directional information, including signs, is sufficient to easily find the entrance
• There is adequate lighting at the entrance
• The doorway has at least 850mm clear opening
• The entrance is level with no steps.

Within the Museum

• A person using a wheelchair can approach part of a service counter and see over it
• Personal assistance is provided
• Size and contrast make print easy to read
• There is a power socket available as a recharge point
• All public area doorways are at least 820mm wide with at least 500mm clear space on the latch side to approach and operate the door
• There is adequate light to read by with normal or corrected vision
• Signs are clear and easy to read
• International symbols are used to identify accessible facilities
• Wheelchair seating spaces are available
• There is a path of travel at least 1000mm wide throughout public areas
• The floor on the path of travel has a firm, non-slip surface
• The path of travel is accessible with ramps and stairs.
• Noise reducing headphones and ear plugs are available for use from the service counter

Toilet facilities

There are accessible toilets on site as well as baby change rooms.

• Adult toilet suit with drop down grab rail, hoist and change table SWL (safe working load) rated to 200kg - accessed via a MLAK system.
• Sanitary facilities door handles are D shaped or levers (for different hand shapes or grip ability)
• There is at least 530mm clear space on the latch side to approach and open the door
• The floor area of the toilet is at least 2000mm x 1600mm with the hand basin encroaching no more than 100mm into this area
• There are rails next to the pan
• The hand basin has leg room beneath for a wheelchair, a shelf or vanity is provided.Newcastle Museum complies with all accessibility and disability access guidelines and all our exhibitions can be accessed by wheelchairs and strollers.

Wheel Chairs

The Museum has two wheel chairs on site which can be used by visitors if required. It is best to call ahead before visiting to check whether they are available for use. Please call the Museum Reception Desk on 4974 1401 for assistance.