At the moment we are not able to offer full, unassisted access to all areas of the museum for mobility impaired visitors. The following information will help you to decide whether to visit the museum or contact us to request assistance when visiting.

• Fully accessible buses are operated on Travel West Midlands route 7 from Birmingham City Centre, which stops at Witton Square, about 200m from the museum. Travel West Midlands route 11, Outer Circle, is now mostly operated by fully accessible buses and also stops at Witton Square.

• Witton Railway Station is approximately 400m from the museum. The route to and from the station is fully accessible.

• The car park is part tarmac surfaced and part compacted hardcore surface and is gently sloping. Tarmac surfaced areas are almost always available for parking except on Aston Villa home match days when we have an arrangement with the football club for their mobility-impaired spectators to use this area. Please check with us before visiting. The car park is large enough for vehicles up to full size coach dimensions to enter and turn round.

• From the car park to the museum main entrance there is a fairly steep downwards ramp (approx. 1 in 6) followed by a flat surface and then a similar ramp inside the single-leaf door main entrance down to the museum floor level.

• An alternative entrance can be used, by arrangement, that involves approaching down a slope of approximately 1 in 20 over compacted hardcore.

• The floor of the museum is gently sloping and paved with stone sets (or cobbles) surrounding grooved tramlines, which in places are up to four centimetres lower than the surrounding surface. In some areas the floor is fairly uneven

• A toilet equipped for the use of people with mobility impairment can be accessed up a ramp with a gradient of approximately 1 in 8.

• The museum shop on the mezzanine floor can be accessed via a Stannah Stair Lift.

• The café does not have a ramped access from within the building. Access is via three even concrete steps. Wheelchair access is available via an external door.

• The fire alarm is a continuous bell and museum staff are responsible for ensuring all visitors are clear of the building should evacuation be necessary.

• A wheelchair is available for use within the museum.

• Mobile phones usually work throughout the museum.

• We do not have any features within the museum specifically aimed at people with hearing or sight impairment. However, a guided tour of the exhibits is available by arrangement.

• Lighting at night in some parts of the museum is not intense, although adequate for people with normal eyesight.

• People with impaired sight are welcome to bring guide dogs.

Due to the age and original use of the museum building as a tram depot, there are certain features such as the floor surface, which cannot be altered if the historic integrity of the building is to be maintained. We will endeavour to allow access to the museum for all and would ask that you contact us by phone on 0121 322 2298 if in any doubt about the viability of your visit so that we can try to overcome any obstacles. We continually endeavour to upgrade our facilities for disabled visitors as and when resources are available.