Museum of Nature Dortmund

Museum of Nature Dortmund (Roland Gorecki)

The Dortmund Nature Museum, located directly at the Fredenbaumpark in the north of Dortmund, houses a collection of biological and geological specimens, fossils and minerals, mainly from the Ruhr and Westphalia region.

Over two floors, the new permanent exhibition guides visitors through submerged and present-day habitats of the region around Dortmund. Numerous interactive media stations and objects to touch make the local nature understandable for young and old.

Barrier-free information

Short Report as PDF

People with restricted mobility and wheelchair users

All areas relevant for testing meet the quality criteria of the label "Accessibility certified - accessible for people with walking disabilities and wheelchair users".

Some information on accessibility are listed below. For detailed information please see the evaluation report.

There are two parking spaces available for people with disabilities.
The Fredenbaum subway station is 200 meters away.
All areas and facilities accessible to guests are either step-free/at ground level or accessible by elevator.
There is no gradient of more than 6%.
All doors and passageways accessible to guests are at least 88 cm wide.
There is a lowered counter.
Exhibits and information are primarily viewable while seated.
Seating is available.
The dining room features wheelchair-accessible tables (maximum height 80 cm, with a clearance of 67 cm in height and 30 cm in depth).
A public restroom for people with disabilities is available, which is accessible from both sides (at least 90 cm). The grab bars in the restroom can be flipped-up. A folding recliner is available.
Mobile or fixed seating options are available for people with mobility impairments and can be used during the tour.

Evaluation report: Download as PDF

People with hearing impairments and deaf people

All areas relevant for testing meet the quality criteria of the label "Accessibility certified - partially accessible for people with hearing impairment".

Some information on accessibility are listed below. For detailed information please see the evaluation report.

The alarm is not clearly visually perceptible throughout the building/object.
There is an audio induction loop system.
An outgoing emergency call in the elevator is only confirmed audibly.
Information about the exhibits/objects is conveyed acoustically and in writing, and some of it is photo-realistic.
In the dining room, there are tables with bright and glare-free lighting, where there are no lamps or hanging lamps that interfere with the field of vision or eye contact.
Guided tours are available for people with hearing disabilities, but not for deaf people.

Evaluation report: Download as PDF

People with visual impairments and blind people

All areas relevant for testing meet the quality criteria of the label "Accessibility certified - accessible for people with visual impairments and partially accessible for blind people".

Some information on accessibility are listed below. For detailed information please see the evaluation report.

Assistance dogs are welcome.
The entrance area is designed with high visual contrast.
The walkways leading to and within the entrance area are marked continuously with tactile and visual markers (e.g., floor indicators).
Signage (for wayfinding) is designed with clearly legible, high-contrast lettering.
Wayfinding information is tactile (Braille, prismatic lettering).
All elevated areas accessible to guests are illuminated with bright, glare-free lighting.
An emergency call made from the elevator is confirmed by an audible signal. The floor being served is announced by voice inside the elevator.
Stairs have visually high-contrast edges on at least the first and last steps.
Stairs have handrails on both sides. Tactile information indicating the floor level is provided at the beginning and end of the staircases.
Seating is available.
The exhibits are well lit.
Information about the exhibits is presented with high visual contrast.
Information about the exhibits is provided in writing and, in some cases, audibly (audio stations).
Information is not available in raised print or Braille.
Guided tours are offered for people with visual impairments and blind people. Advance registration is required.
Exhibits designed to be touched are included in the guided tours.

Evaluation report: Download as PDF

People with cognitive impairments

All areas relevant for testing meet the quality criteria of the “Accessibility certified – accessible for people with cognitive disabilities” label.

Some information on accessibility are listed below. For detailed information please see the evaluation report.

The name or logo of the museum is clearly visible from the outside.
The destinations of the paths are within sight or there are path signs at a constantly visible distance.
Information about exhibits/objects is not provided in plain language and some are photo-realistic.
Guided tours are provided for people with cognitive impairments. Advance registration is required.
The guided tour for people with cognitive impairments is held in easy language.

Evaluation report: Download as PDF