Exhibit Accessibility: Second Floor
CMTM is committed to closely following best practices in Universal Design. Our specifications follow the Consumer Product Safety Commission Handbook for Public Playground Safety standards. The exhibits were created using Universal Design Principles, and 70% of our exhibit experiences were designed to be universally accessible. We are working to increase this number with new additions and modifications to exhibit spaces. Examples of design elements that you’ll find in Museum & Theatre exhibits that increase usability include:
Knobs and buttons designed to be used with closed fists
Flooring colors have high contrast and no sloping floors (other than access ramps)
Transfer platforms
Large windows with natural lighting
Calm color palettes for non-signage exhibit components
Wheelchair clearance in all exhibit components for adults and children who use wheelchairs, not just main hallways
Quiet spaces on each floor
Learn more about the accessibility features in the exhibits on CMTM’s second floor!
Our Neighborhood
Our Neighborhood is an exhibit designed to reflect Portland’s urban port city and surrounding area. It is an open-ended play space featuring multiple activity zones where children and their families can roleplay, tell stories, and make-believe together.
Our Neighborhood: Wellness and Safety
The Wellness and Safety areas of the Our Neighborhood exhibit include a fire truck and a Bear Care Center. These areas remind visitors of the critical role that first responders play in our community while encouraging children to imagine themselves within these important roles. The Bear Care Center is designed to be wheelchair accessible. Please note: The upper level of the fire truck, including the steering wheel and controls, are only accessible by stairs.
Our Neighborhood: Transportation
In Our Neighborhood: Transportation, visitors explore the many ways we get from place to place. A child-size train station and Jetport invite children to plan and act out their own incredible journeys while considering the people, places, and things they’ll encounter. The train floor is designed as a transfer platform, and the train is “driven” with a lever that is operable with a closed or open fist. Additionally, the train bell can be operated by turning a gear with a closed fist .At the jetport, the ground-level luggage conveyor belt is operated by a wheel with a universal steering knob. The Air Traffic Control Tower is designed as a transfer platform.
Our Neighborhood: Working Waterfront
In Our Neighborhood: Working Waterfront, visitors chart a course for the open seas aboard the Lobster Boat “Peachy”! Once they’ve checked their traps, they can head to the fish market to sell their catch, then fix up some tasty lobster rolls at the Lobster Shack. The Lobster Shack kitchen and Lobster Boat are wheelchair accessible.
Our Neighborhood: Lighthouse Cove
Lighthouse Cove is an enclosed exhibit on CMTM’s 2nd floor, designed with the youngest visitors in mind. This exhibit is intended for children ages 0 - 3, and individuals practicing their mobility and motor skills. Low walls and a simple gate ensure that youngsters can play and take safe risks while moving freely throughout the space. Lighthouse Cove (both toddler and infant zones) is fully wheelchair accessible. Soft padding covers much of the exhibit and sensory toys are available.
Our Neighborhood: Melissa’s Seaside Cottage
Melissa’s Seaside Cottage is a cozy, honeybee-themed space for rest, reading, and connection. The cottage’s bookshelf features a carefully-curated selection of children’s books for a range of reading levels. The cottage also houses various building blocks and stacking toys. This comfortable, secluded exhibit is a wonderful place to relax and regroup, or to connect with a friend or caregiver as you read together. The cottage is wheelchair accessible, and books are stored and displayed at a variety of heights.
Meet Our Neighbors: The Korean Language School
Meet Our Neighbors is a rotating exhibit highlighting stories of community members who call Maine home. The gallery fosters communication and empathy-building while engaging families in conversations about diversity and difference. The current Meet Our Neighbors exhibit features the Korean Language School! In this exhibit visitors learn about Korean culture through Hangeul, the Korean alphabet. Art and signage are hung at an ADA accessible height. The language activity is hung at a variety of heights, and adaptive paint brushes are available for the language activity.
Beautiful Blackbird
The Beautiful Blackbird exhibit combines art, audio, creative play, and movement for a dynamic and memorable celebration of identity framed within the art and storytelling of acclaimed children’s book author and illustrator Ashley Bryan. The Beautiful Blackbird video interactive features closed captioning. The didactics on the storytelling wall are hung at an ADA-compliant height. The gesture animation activity can be enjoyed by those with a limited range of movement.
MakerSpace
MakerSpace is a workshop for open-ended creation designed for Makers of all ages. It is a guided exhibit and is typically open once in the morning and once in the afternoon. MakerSpace invites visitors to activate their imaginations and build incredible creations using a variety of supplies, tools, and methods. Guests can practice fine motor skills, engineer structures, relax while coloring, or work together to make a masterpiece! MakerSpace is always staffed to support individual exploration and needs. The workshop tables, benches, and sink are ADA-compliant and accessible workspaces are marked with a blue and white accessibility symbol. Easy-grip scissors and paint brushes are available, as are silicone grip straps to use with art supplies or hand tools (when applicable and safe).
With Gratitude
Accessibility features throughout the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine were made possible through the generous support of Imagine Campaign donors Donorthy Suzi Osher, Madeleine G. Corson, L.L.Bean, The Pond Family Foundation, Unum, Shaw Brothers Family Foundation, Hussey Seating and Bill and Dana Poole.
We Are Here For You
If you have suggestions, questions, or need more information to make your visit successful, please contact Lily Gilbert, Director of Visitor Engagement, at lily@kitetails.org or call 207-828-1234.
Everyone belongs at CMTM. 🧡