Access | Ideas worth sharing

Exploring the museum

• There is lift access to all floors.
• The lift near the foyer is wheelchair accessible, has tactile marking of either braille or raised numbers, and has audio announcements.
• The lift in the Engine Hall is suitable for manual wheelchairs but may not be large enough for electric wheelchairs or mobility scooters.  During your visit staff can advise on ways to move around the museum.
• The clear door opening widths to the Engine Hall, Changing Exhibition Gallery, and main galleries are all approximately 64 inches (1,626 mm).  The doors are the appropriate weight and within the required range, but Visitor Experience Assistants are happy to help open them.
• General signage is large print black vinyl lettering on white walls.  There is large print black vinyl lettering on a yellow background to indicate which floor you are on.  Large print yellow vinyl signage on the staircase directs the way to the main galleries.
• The Welcome Wall in the Processional Way to the right of the Info Desk uses a mix of text and images to show highlights of the museum’s collection and advertise upcoming events.  There is currently no Large Print, audio or braille of the Welcome Wall, a member of staff can assist with accessing this information on the day of your visit.
• The temperature is lower in all galleries due to air conditioning systems.
• Use PHM’s Visual Story to familiarise yourself with the museum building ahead of your visit.

In case of emergency:

• There are visual and audio alarms present in the lift near the foyer, in case of emergency or evacuation.
• As part of the museum’s Health and Safety Policy, staff are trained to assist with evacuation of the building in case of an emergency.
• The museum has refuge points on each level.

Toilets

Accessible toilets:

• Accessible toilets are located on the lower ground floor, ground floor and second floor.
• The toilets on the ground floor near the foyer are gendered.  All other accessible toilets are gender neutral.
• All toilets are accessible by lift with no steps or ramps.
• Wheelchair accessible baby changing facilities are available in the ground floor and second floor toilets.
• There is braille on the toilet doors to provide further assistance.
• We do not have a changing places toilet.  Find the nearest changing places toilet.

Using the facilities:

• The doorways of the accessible toilets are approximately 39 inches (991mm) wide.
• There is a clear space to the side of each accessible toilet of approximately 29 inches (737mm).
• The lower ground floor accessible toilet is left side transfer and has the largest transfer space.
• The accessible toilets near the foyer on the ground floor are both right side transfer.
• The accessible toilets in the Engine Hall on the ground floor and off Main Gallery Two on the second floor are both left side transfer.
• The height of all the accessible toilets is approximately 16 inches (406mm).
• In the accessible toilets near the foyer and in the Engine Hall there are two vertical grab rails on either side of the sink.  There is one vertical rail next to the toilet which can be lowered for extra assistance, one horizontal rail next to the toilet, and one horizontal handrail on the door.
• The lower ground and second floor accessible toilets all have the same amount of handrails as above, except they do not have handrails on the door.
• All accessible toilets have red alarm cords in case of emergency.  The fire alarm has sounders and flashing lights.
• All toilets are brightly lit with ceiling spotlights and include emergency lighting.
• All toilets have lever taps, and a mixture of hand dryers and paper towels.

Shop

• The museum shop is within the foyer, to the left of the main entrance.
• There is level access throughout and large spaces between fixtures for a wheelchair or pushchair.
• The shop displays are built into the walls and there is open access to the shelves.  There are no more than three shelves on each shelving unit.
• Some materials may be at an inaccessible height for wheelchair users; staff will assist in accessing these materials.
• There are also stand alone shop display units within the foyer, with space between them for a wheelchair or pushchair.
• The induction hearing loop at the Info Desk services this area.
• The shop accepts both card and cash payments.
• There is also a selection of materials available via PHM’s online shop.

Find out more

• You can contact Disability Equality NW for advice and guidance on equipment hire, wheelchair repair, Shopmobility, and RADAR toilets.  Museum staff are happy to use the telephone or internet to help with these enquiries.
• The nearest train stations are Salford Central (2 min walk) and Manchester Victoria (15 min walk).
• Find out more about planning a family visit.
• We are always looking for feedback on how we can improve the museum’s accessibility and visitor experience.   If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please contact the museum on access@phm.org.uk or 0161 838 9190.