Accessibility

Ingenium is committed to creating inclusive spaces and addressing accessibility barriers so that visitors, staff and volunteers have opportunities to enjoy our museums.

Should you have any specific access needs, staff will gladly work with you to find a suitable solution so all can enjoy the Canada Science and Technology Museum.

The Canada Science and Technology Museum was the first national public institution in Canada to receive the Accessibility Certified Gold rating under the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification™ program.

The overall experience was designed to be as barrier-free as possible, for as many needs as possible.

The museum features level flooring throughout, with the exception of the Steam: A World in Motion exhibition and the Sound by Design exhibition, which are accessible via a ramp
Seating is available in all areas of the museum
- Each seating area includes seats with arm and back supports
The Demo Stage features seating for visitors using wheelchairs, as well as seats with arm and back supports
The Demo Stage and auditorium feature hearing loop receivers that can be used with visitor headphones or an induction loop

The front entrance of a modern building with a large glass facade. The building has colorful panels on the side, and there is a blue accessible parking sign in the foreground.

A wide, gently sloping ramp with a sleek glass railing on both sides. The ramp is illuminated with a blue light, casting a dramatic glow. At the end of the ramp, a large steam engine is visible. In the background there are bicycles hanging above an exhibition called 'Freedom on Two Wheels.'

A modern museum lobby with a seating area. There are multiple red and black couches and benches arranged in a semi-circle around a central display case. The floor is a dark, polished tile.

A circular auditorium with rows of wooden benches facing a stage. The floor is concrete, and there are subtle lighting fixtures around the walls.

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Sensory considerations

Light, noise, and crowds will vary throughout the Canada Science and Technology Museum. At peak times, the museum will be noisy; visitors may consider bringing noise-reducing headphones. Some headphones and fidget toys are available to borrow at the admissions booth upon request.

Exhibitions that include a sound component feature volume controls and headphone jacks. The museum does not provide headphones.

The sensory guides are pre-visit tools to prepare visitors for things they might see and do as they visit the museum. They are designed to support individuals with autism spectrum disorders or disabilities. However, everyone can benefit from these visual guides.

Download sensory guides

Sensory guide: Information for visitors’ sensory needs (PDF, 5 MB)
ZOOOM! A sensory guide (PDF, 3MB)
General museum visit: A social story for families (PDF, 2 MB)
General museum visit – A social story for solo adults (PDF, 2 MB)

Exhibitions

Accessibility standards inform our exhibition design, including considerations for:

Height of text panels
Touchscreen controls
Height range for viewing objects up close
Colour, contrast, size, and legibility of text
Circulation routes
Height, location, and design of seating

People with disabilities—and the technologies developed for and by them—are featured in exhibitions throughout the museum.

Accessible parking

Visitor drop off and pick up is allowed at the main entrance to the museum.

Designated spaces are available for people with an accessible parking permit. There is no fee for parking vehicles with a valid accessible permit.

There are several designated parking spots for expectant parents near the museum’s main entrance.

Visitors may pay for parking using pay stations on site, or the Park Indigo app. Please note that paying in advance does not guarantee a parking spot.

Park Indigo app

Download the app on iOS or Android.
When you arrive at the museum, find a parking spot.
Using the app, select the museum as your location.
Enter your license plate number.
Select the desired amount of time.
Pay by phone* and enjoy your museum visit

Support persons

We are pleased to provide free museum admission to one support person accompanying each visitor with disabilities.

Service animals

Service animals are welcome in all areas of the museum.

Assistive devices

Wheelchairs and a scooter can be borrowed on a first-come, first-served basis, at no charge. To sign out an assistive device, please visit our admissions desk.

Washrooms

Washrooms are located in the main entrance of the museum, at the back of the museum (through the From Earth to Us exhibition) and near the café.

In addition, there is a separate gender-neutral/universal washroom, equipped with an adult-sized change table and a motorized lift, located across from the café.

Baby care and nursing

Washrooms throughout the museum feature diaper-changing tables. The ZOOOM: Children’s Innovation Zone exhibition offers seating for up to 80 parents, and a baby care room with bottle-warming, diaper-changing, and feeding facilities.

Breastfeeding is welcome in all areas of the Canada Science and Technology Museum.

Interpretation

All services, programs, and exhibitions at the museum are offered in both English and French.

Website

We strive to comply with all accessibility standards across our website. Please contact us if there are materials that you are having difficulties accessing, and we will work with you to provide the information in a format that meets your needs.

Our commitment to accessibility

Ingenium’s accessibility plan outlines our commitment to becoming an inclusive organization that provides accessible programs, services, facilities, and employment opportunities. We are collaborating to identify and remove all barriers to accessibility.

Questions or inquiries about Ingenium’s accessibility plan or other accessibility initiatives can be directed to accessibility-accessibilite@IngeniumCanada.org.