Early Start Discovery Space
Highlights
- Explore interactive experiences that ignite curiosity in children aged birth to ten at Wollongong's unique museum.
- Engage with stimulating educational programs designed to foster learning through play in a vibrant environment.
- Discover a welcoming space that embraces diverse communities, encouraging connection and interaction for families.
- Relax at the on-site café while children enjoy hands-on activities in a safe, family-friendly venue.
The Early Start Discovery Space is the world’s first dedicated children’s museum based on a University campus. As an interactive, public access and playful learning venue, the Discovery Space is dedicated to embracing diverse communities to experience the power and importance of play, interaction and connection.
The Discovery Space provides interactive experiences, stimulating, evidence informed programs, research translation events, and learn-through-play opportunities for children aged birth to ten and their adults.
Images and Video
Features
Actively welcomes people with access needs.
General access
- Offers multiple options for booking – web, email, phone is available.
- Offers a range of contact methods for receiving complaints.
- Companion Cards are accepted.
- Employs people with disabilities.
- Staff are trained in disability awareness.
- Accessibility information and photos, including of a bathroom, room and/or floor plan on their website (can be emailed on request).
Communication
Welcomes and assists people who have challenges with learning, communication, understanding and behaviour. (includes people with autism, intellectual disability, Down syndrome, acquired brain injury (ABI), dyslexia and dementia)
- Staff are trained in communicating with people with learning or behavioural challenges.
- Uses Plain English / easy read signage and information (includes menus and emergency information)
- A quiet space is available at the venue/ facility.
Hearing
Caters for people who are deaf or have hearing loss.
- A hearing loop is available.
- Visual alerts for emergencies (Include flashing light) are available.
Physical – Mobility
Caters for people with sufficient mobility to climb a few steps but who would benefit from fixtures to aid balance. (This includes people using walking frames and mobility aids)
- Grab rails in the bathroom
- Seating in common areas including reception area
Physical – Wheelchair
Caters for people who use a wheelchair.
- Step free outdoor pathways (includes picnic areas, barbecues and shelters)
- A step free main entrance to the building and/or reception area (includes ramps or slopes with a maximum gradient of 1:14, otherwise are too steep for wheelchairs)
- Step free access to restaurant, lounge and bar
- Step free access to the conference or function room
- Lifts with enough space for people using a mobility aid to enter and turn around to use the lift buttons. Buttons are at accessible height.
- An accessible public toilet which is unlocked.
- A wheelchair accessible toilet / shower and change room is available.
- At least one wheelchair accessible parking space with wheelchair accessible signage clearly displayed (International standards are 3200mm wide x 2500 mm high).
- Wheelchair accessible transport options available in the general vicinity (provide information on name of the operator, phone and website link to individual providers for private vehicles, community transport train, mini vans, hire cars, buses, taxis, ferry, tram, light rail etc in their access statement).
Physical – High support needs
Caters for people with high support needs who travel with a support person.
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