3.4 Getting Around the Museum

Visitors can access all Museum galleries through inclined ramps and elevators.

Ramps

A series of inclined ramps, 773 metres in length, at a 1:20 grade or slope as prescribed by the Manitoba Building Code, provides an accessible path of travel for visitors to all galleries in the Museum. These ramps guide visitors through the Museum from Level 1 through to Level 7; they include dual-height handrails installed along the entire length of the series of ramps.

The ramps are 1,525 mm wide to allow for two-way wheelchair traffic. Resting spots, which include seating with backs and arms, are located at regular intervals to accommodate visitors who require breaks as they ascend or descend from one level to another. The ramps are internally illuminated with 900 metres of LED lights to ensure adequate lighting for navigation within the circulation route. Also included are multiple glass guard rails that allow all visitors to see into the galleries regardless of their viewing height.

The Museum is developing wayfinding iconography that illustrates the length of each ramp section and the number of rest stops for each ramp segment.

Elevators

The Museum has three elevators to ensure that all Museum galleries are accessible to visitors:

• One elevator is located on Level 1 in the Bonnie & John Buhler Hall and stops at all gallery levels up to Level 7.
• The second elevator on Level 3 gives visitors access to the galleries on Levels 4 through 7, as well as the Tower of Hope on Level 8.
• The third elevator, also located on Level 1, provides access to all gallery floors up to Level 7.

Two of these elevators are glass, while the third is not, providing an option for those who cannot use a glass elevator.

All elevator buttons are within accessible reach of persons in wheelchairs, consistent with Manitoba building code. They are also all available in Braille. Distinctly audible French and English voices indicate to passengers the level at which the elevator has stopped.