First specialised adult disability change room in the ACT opens at the Museum
The National Museum of Australia in Canberra has opened the ACT’s first Changing Places facility, providing safe and dignified bathroom facilities for visitors with high support needs to participate in the community.
Marking International Day of People with Disability, the Museum has announced its new Changing Places facility, designed to remove the everyday stress of planning a visit around bathroom needs and to provide a suitable facility for people who cannot use standard accessible toilets.
The large Changing Places room includes a fully accessible public toilet with an adult change table and hoist.
National Museum Human Resources program manager Anne Mayberry said the Museum is proud to host the first Changing Places facility in Canberra.
‘The Museum is proud to host the ACT’s first Changing Places facility and is committed to providing accessible programs and services for the whole community,’ said Ms Mayberry.
‘The Changing Places facility provides a safe and dignified space with aids required to undertake essential ablutions for those with profound disabilities and their carers, who attend the Museum.’
The National Museum’s Access Programmer, Suzie Higgie, welcomed the new facility.
‘We are looking forward to welcoming visitors to this new facility. We strive to continue to support the needs of our visitors and provide a safe and comfortable experience so our programs and exhibitions can be best enjoyed,’ said Ms Higgie.
GetAboutAble’s Founding Director Yasmine Gray applauded the National Museum of Australia for addressing the critical lack of Changing Places facilities in the ACT.
‘Addressing this need will allow people with disability who need these facilities to access public spaces in the community safely, hygienically and with dignity’, said Dr Gray.
‘We are proud to showcase the National Museum’s accessibility on getaboutable.com.
Visitors who wish to access the Changing Places facility are encouraged to speak to the National Museum’s friendly hosts for directions.
International Day of People with Disability — 3 December 2020
The National Museum of Australia is committed to providing programs that are meaningful, accessible and share the diverse stories of Australia through the Museum’s collection for all audiences.
This year in celebration of International Day of People with Disability, the Museum is delivering a livestreamed program from our Gandel Atrium presented by vocalist and songwriter Ruth O’Brien and choreographer Liz Lea. We will be joined by special guest Dr Ben Gauntlett, Disability Discrimination Commissioner and be sharing live performances and a selection of short films from around Australia. This program will include Auslan interpretation and live captioning.
