Accessibility for school excursions

Excursion programs utilise different areas of the museum and vessels. Please indicate in your online booking enquiry if anyone in your group has additional support needs so that we can personalise your schedule to ensure that everyone has a positive experience at the museum.

 

Wheelchair access

  • Workshops in the Learning Centre and tours of the main museum building are all wheelchair accessible.
  • There is ramp access into the main museum building through the main entrance.
  • There is lift or ramp access to all exhibition spaces within the main building, and to wharves and the performance platform outside the museum. Wheelchair access is also available to the Sea Science pontoon and the Action Station exhibition.
  • Unfortunately, due to the vessel design and the narrow gangways onto the vessels, wheelchair access is not available.
  • Accessible toilets are located in the Learning Centre, on the museum lower level and in the ground level entry foyer. Unfortunately, most of our bathroom doors are not automatic.

 

Physical access 

  • Visiting the vessels involves climbing ladders, bending (to enter small spaces on the vessel) and walking along uneven surfaces (such as the wharves and gangways). Visitors must wear flat, closed-toe shoes. 
  • Please remind students to walk carefully along the wharves and boardwalk, as outdoor surfaces may be slippery or uneven.
  • For sections of the programs conducted outside, sun protection (hats, long sleeve shirts and sunscreen) is highly recommended.

 

Hearing and vision impairment

  • Please let us know in your booking enquiry if students have hearing or visual impairments.
  • We encourage teachers to speak to the museum educator before the start of the program so that we can help by using the student’s assisted listening device when speaking and ensuring the student is positioned close to the speaker.
  • Throughout the year, the museum presents ocean and wildlife photography exhibitions. These exhibitions contain audio descriptions of selected works. There are also 3 dimensional, tactile images on the walls which allow your students to explore the exhibition through touch. Large-print guides and braille guides are available at the exhibition front desk. We recommend students bring their own earphones so that they can enjoy the audio descriptions.

 

Neurodivergence 

  • Some areas of the museum may be very loud or quiet or have bright or low lighting. Please let us know in your booking enquiry if we can help to choose appropriate places to visit for your group’s sensory needs, or if we can provide quiet spaces for anyone in your group.
  • You can download the museum’s social story to learn more about the experience of visiting the museum.
  • The Maritime Museum is a Sunflower friendly venue. The Sunflower is a globally recognised symbol for non-visible disabilities. Thanks to Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Australia & New Zealand our staff wearing a Sunflower badge have been trained to recognise this symbol and will be of assistance where they can. You are encouraged to bring and wear your sunflower lanyard if you have one or pick one up for free on arrival to the museum.
  • There is a quiet space located in the Learning Centre. Our quiet space provides a safe and calming space for students needing a break. There are cushions, ear defenders and sensory toys for students to use.
    • Please note, the Learning Centre is not publicly accessible. This means that you will require staff assistance to access the Learning Centre. If you think that your students may like to use the quiet space during their excursion, please make a note in your booking enquiry so that we can assist you. For more information, please email bookings@sea.museum 
       

If your students require additional carers or support workers, please let us know in your booking enquiry. Teachers and supervising adults visit free of charge within the supervision ratio.

Read more information about accessibility at the museum or contact us with any additional questions. Our education team can be reached by email at bookings@sea.museum and on the phone by calling +61 (02) 9298 3655