The Museum of Broadway

New York

1 review

Review this place

katie_anna_mcconnell

26 May 2024

The Museum of Broadway

Date of visit: April 2024

I have experience of challenges around: a hidden impairment, hearing, moving around, speaking or communicating and understanding.

The writter of this review, Katie, is a young female wheelchair user. She has white skin and long wavy brown hair. She is wearing a blue midi-skirt and a maroon crop top with a reddish butterfly across the chest. Her white denim jacket and rainbow Vans complete the look, with a pink Disney rucksack on the back of her black wheelchair.

Katie is sat at a DSM desk but can't reach the call book because the boxes of LX tape are in the way.

Katie is trying to look in a mirror that belonged to Jonathan Larson but the MOB have decided to set it atop a staircase for little apparent reason.

The Wiz have a fun and interactive photo opportunity recreating the yellow brick road... down a flight of stairs. The level access routes are very industrial and not themed.

I cannot reach this phone to take a fun picture, nor hear what is being said. It is too far away and high up for wheelchair users.

This bar is too narrow and has props blocking the entrance, I can't get behind it to explore the different elements or get a fun photo.

Overall Rating

Good

A brilliant few hours for any musical theatre fan, and it provided such an interesting insight into this section of the arts and culture industry. See my full post here: https://www.instagram.com/p/C7E8uBgIyI-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Disabled Access In and Around

Good

The first issue is that there was no access information available on their website, except in the FAQ section. This is unhelpful, and doesn't work with the #KnowBeforeYouGo campaign, despite the page being laid out well. Their online content is typically high contrasting, reader friendly, and nicely spaced out. Here is the link for the little that is available: https://www.themuseumofbroadway.com/plan-your-visit The lift was on the side of the building, and could not be used independently. Every time you wanted to move between floors, you had to find a member of staff and ask them to accompany you. It is also awkward if there is more than one person who is unable to use the stairs as these elevators aren't wide enough to fit multiple bodies and mobility aids inside it. There was transcriptions of any audio, both in captions and on paper, an app that audio describes all the artifacts, and braille was available throughout. The signage and posters were clear and easy to understand, but no ASL/BSL interpretation was offered. Unfortunately there was minimal seating, and some of the 'attractions' were too narrow for me to reach. See pictures below to see these particular issues.

Parking & Transport

Average

The city has very limited parking options, and the metro is very crowded as it is - let alone when you try to navigate it as a wheelchair user. Not all stations offer level access, and the streets above are cobbley and packed with people. I stayed very close by but would advise it is a hard route from further away.

Accessible Toilets

Good

Clean, tidy, red cord hanging to the floor, ADA standard door, higher seat to transfer, and no radar key needed. Not specifically 'spacious' but there was plenty of room for a carer to accompany, and you could move around as you needed. No changing places, hoist, or bidet.

Staff

Excellent

All the staff had clearly received training about inclusivity, diversity and equity. They were friendly as anything, and went above and beyond to accommodate all guests. This distinction is especially important as I didn't feel I was being singled out or receiving 'special treatment' for being disabled.

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