Access
The means through which visitors can enter, connect with, understand, learn about, enjoy and participate in a museum’s collections and related programming. Museums constantly work to reduce social, economic and physical barriers that prevent access.
Physical Accessibility
The provision of facilities so those with limited mobility can gain entry to a museum’s collections, exhibitions and events. Examples include the installation of lifts and ramps.
Intellectual Accessibility
The ease with which various groups can view/understand exhibits and the information displayed to explain or describe collections, rooms or displays. Wall signage is used to direct all visitors around the Museum. Age appropriate activity sheets are provided to help children interpret objects.
Historic buildings like the Custom House were not built with accessibility in mind. The renovations carried out in 1996 helped to make the building more physically accessible. There are also facilities in place across the exhibition to aid with intellectual accessibility.
The double doors into the Captains’ Room ensure the room is accessible to those in wheelchairs. However, they were originally made this way to accommodate the wide dresses ladies wore in the 18th Century!
Two lifts were installed during the 1996 renovation work. This helps those with limited mobility to access the galleries, café and bathrooms which are located on different levels of the building.
Six objects have Irish Sign Language (ISL) tours that you can access by scanning a QR code. The videos are subtitled and have a voice-over making them accessible to a wide variety of audiences both within and outside the deaf community. Extra information in large print is available for those with visual impairments.
Autism Friendly Services
Your Visit:
The Hunt Museum is located at the heart of Limerick City, in the magnificent Georgian Custom House on the banks of the Shannon and Abbey Rivers. Just 15minutes walk from Colbert train station, and 3 minutes from the bus station at Arthurs Quay.
Two disabled parking spaces are available at the Museum, and there is wheelchair access and public lifts in all parts of the building. Assistance Dogs are also welcome in the museum.
The Hunt Museum exhibits over 2000 artefacts and artworks, gathered over a lifetime by John and Gertrude Hunt and the collection features works of art by Picasso, Renoir, and Gaugin.
So why not join us for an hour or two, exploring the collection and our exhibitions. Do not forget you can also relax in the Hunt Museum Garden where objects have escaped from the museum and now reside in an amongst the flora and fauna.
Average visit duration: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Sensory Maps:
Please see below.
Services Available:
- Presentation of an Autism ID card qualifies visitors to have access to trained staff who will be identified by an Autism Friendly lanyard.
- Ear Defenders are available upon request from reception.
- Visitors can have access to the Museums quiet space should they require it.
Booking Your Visit:
To book your visit please click here. Note between the hours of 12pm and 2pm are traditionally the quieter times within the museum.
Contact us:
For any queries related to autism accessibility, please email Simon at simon@huntmuseum.com.
Charter of Inclusion
At The Hunt Museum we are on a journey to make our museum autism friendly. We have implemented the following measures based on a review of our practises supported by AsIAm, Ireland’s National Autism Advocacy Body & Charity:
Sensory Environment
- The Hunt Museum: will endeavor to minimize the effects of sensory stimulus on autistic people, through effective communications, sensory mapping, and the provision of p.p.e equipment
- We have devised a sensory map of the building. This is available on our website to ensure our team and visitors are aware of the key sensory areas around the museum
- The sensory map also makes up a part of our recruitment pack both for those attending an interview and new employees
- The Hunt Museum: will provide a safe ‘Quiet Space’ for autistic people
- In the medium to long term, we are looking at various improvements to our museum, these include ensuring lighting, noise levels and comfortable seating are monitored and adapted based on individual needs where possible
- The Hunt Museum: will directly engage with AsIAm and the autistic community to ensure we can best meet the requirements of autistic people and ensure the best visitor experience possible
Communication
- All Hunt Museum Team members have been provided with AsIAm autism training to create a better understanding and awareness of Autism and Neurodiversity
- All our team will be issued with links to the sensory maps and to additional autism and neurodiversity awareness information
Predictability & Control
- The Hunt Museum: will endeavor to minimize the effects of sensory stimulus on autistic people, through effective communications, sensory mapping, and the provision of p.p.e equipment
- Key sensory information will be available online for all visitors prior to visiting the Museum
Judgement & Attitude
- All team members have received Autism awareness training.
- The Hunt Museum: will provide autistic people with equal access to the use of all its facilities, services, and community focused activities
- The Hunt Museum: will provide autistic people with equal access to participate in and benefit from history, culture, and the arts
- The Hunt Museum: will provide where appropriate opportunities for autistic people to engage in voluntary positions and intern placements within the museum
- The Hunt Museum: will engage with an ongoing autism awareness training programme for all new staff and volunteers
- The Hunt Museum: will where appropriate based on the ability and needs of the individual offer meaningful employment and vocational training to autistic people, without discrimination or stereotyping
- The Hunt Museum: will promote its status as an autism friendly accredited museum
Through our Charter of Inclusion, we are committed to implementing practical measures and support to ensure all our employees, volunteers and visitors can achieve their absolute best in a positive and engaging environment.