Access

Wheelchairs are available for use within the Museum. Please ask at the security desk on arrival to access this service. Wheelchairs are loaned on a first-come-first-served basis. All exhibits within the Museum can be accessed with a lift available to all levels. There are two lifts within the Museum as follows:

1. One located in the north-east corner of the Museum, accessible on the ground floor through the World Mammals Gallery

2. The other located in the south-east corner of the Museum, accessible on the ground floor through the Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery.

Accessible programs

The Museum established an access program in 2015 and presents a range of accessible programs throughout the year. This includes Auslan and audio described tours.

Listen to some of our Auslan-interpreted mini talks here for a taste of these programs.

Access support on demand

The Museum’s Community Programs team is often able to provide access support for visitors outside of the schedule of regular accessible programs. If you are able to give at least two weeks notice of your visit, we aim to offer interpreting, descriptive services or adapted programs wherever possible. Please contact education@samuseum.sa.gov.au to let us know when you will be visiting and how we can support your visit.

Assistance animals

Assistance dogs are welcome at the Museum.

Facilities

There is a recharge point for electric mobility scooters and wheelchairs in the North foyer. A hearing loop is available in the Museum’s Pacific Cultures Gallery and is available at all events in that space. Accessible toilets are located on the ground floor in the north-east corner of the Museum, accessed through the World Mammals Gallery.

For visitors with sensory needs

Our relaxed, sensory-friendly events are held outside of regular Museum opening hours, and offer visitors with sensory needs a chance to view the Museum without crowds and with reduced sound and light.

Free sensory backpacks are available for loan upon request at the security desk. Each backpack contains a pair of noise cancelling headphones, a soft toy, and some communication cards.

Staff and volunteers have undertaken Autism Charter Training, and in March 2018, the Museum was declared an Autism Friendly Venue by Autism SA.

You can download our social story for general visits here.

You can download our sensory map here.

Companion Cards

We are members of the Companion Card scheme and offer complimentary admission to your companion person to all events and exhibitions.

For visitors who are blind or vision impaired

The Museum offers accessible tours which combine audio description and tactile elements for blind and vision-impaired audiences. Staff are trained in audio description and work with collection managers to make objects from the Museum’s collections available for handling. Details of future tours will be posted here when they are open for bookings.

• Listen to a spoken audio description of the Ancient Egypt gallery here

For Deaf visitors

The Museum offers Auslan interpreted tours of selected special exhibitions. Details of future tours will be posted here when they are open for bookings. Staff have undertaken introductory Auslan training and, in September 2018, we offered our first ever Auslan-only Museum tours.

Please click here to view our Auslan-interpreted videos.

Parking

There is one accessible car park at the rear of the Museum, available on a first-come, first-served basis. Entry to the car park is through the boom gate on Morgan Thomas Lane, off Kintore Avenue. Please ensure your valid disability parking permit is displayed.

If the park is already in use visitors can be dropped off at the Museum’s rear door.

Alternative accessible parking is also available at:

• Wilson Parking, North Terrace (opposite the Museum)

• U-Park, Gawler Place

Accessing the Museum

To help plan your visit, check out this short video tour of the Museum. This video is part of the Accessible Museums and Galleries Trail organised by the Precinct Access Group and funded by Arts SA.