Accessibility and Inclusivity

TwistED Science is proud to provide an experience accessible, educational and enjoyable for all.

accessibility and inclusivity

Twisted science is proud to provide an experience accessible, educational, and enjoyable for all!

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Inclusion

  • We provide a private Sensory/Quiet Room (Moorabbin only)
  • There is natural light throughout the main exhibit floor to support the comfort of our visitors
  • Our hands on exhibits, designed to be played with intuitively, which means they are appropriate for people of all backgrounds and abilities. Our exhibits are interactive and engaging without being overwhelming
  • Social Stories are available in a printable format
  • Sensory maps are available in a printable format
  • Our staff are trained to be aware of the needs of neurodivergent Visitors and Visitors with other disabilities and are prepared to offer assistance if needed
  • Please speak with our staff on location or call 1300 984 823 to discuss any individual needs. We will do everything we can to accommodate you

Accessibility

  • All areas of TwistED Science are wheelchair accessible with ramps and an elevator where necessary
  • We have multiple accessible parking options in our private car park (Moorabbin only)
  • Accessible toilets are available
  • Support people with companion cards are welcomed free of charge
  • Service dogs are welcome
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Social Stories

Social Story Icon

These printable social stories provide text and images depicting what visitors can expect during their TwistED Science visit.

TwistED Science Echuca Social Story

TwistED Science Moorabbin Social Story

Sensory Maps

Sensory Map Icon

These printable sensory maps provide an overview of the layout of our science museums emphasising low and high sensory areas.

TwistED Science Echuca Sensory Map

TwistED Science Moorabbin Sensory Map

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i'm going to moorabbin

I am going to TwistED Science.

My Journey Starts Here

I am going to TwistED Science.

I’ll wait to get my ticket or show my ticket at the front desk.

Tickets

I’ll wait to get my ticket or show my ticket at the front desk.

There are so many things to see and do at TwistED.

Science Exhibits

There are so many things to see and do at TwistED.

Some exhibits will feel soapy or sandy, but I can skip those if I don’t like it.

Engaging experiments

Some exhibits will feel soapy or sandy, but I can skip those if I don’t like it.

There are some bright lights too, but most areas have gentle, natural light.

Light shows

There are some bright lights too, but most areas have gentle, natural light.

Sometimes I will need to wait my turn.

Waiting in line

Sometimes I will need to wait my turn.

I will walk at a safe speed while I am at TwistED.

explore safely

I will walk at a safe speed while I am at TwistED.

All the exhibits are safe to touch, but I will be gentle with them.

Safe exhibits

All the exhibits are safe to touch, but I will be gentle with them.

There are safety fences around each exhibit area to make sure I don’t get lost and my adult/s always know where I am.

Safety Fences

There are safety fences around each exhibit area to make sure I don’t get lost and my adult/s always know where I am.

If I want more information about the science I can ask my adult to scan the QR codes with their phone.

QR codes

If I want more information about the science I can ask my adult to scan the QR codes with their phone.

If I am doing a workshop or attending a party, I will go upstairs (or via the elevator) to one of the labs.

Workshops and Parties

If I am doing a workshop or attending a party, I will go upstairs (or via the elevator) to one of the labs.

If I need help, the staff are very friendly and kind. They are wearing coloured hats and black clothes.

Accommodating Staff

If I need help, the staff are very friendly and kind. They are wearing coloured hats and black clothes.

If I need a break I can ask to go to the sensory room, which is a calm and quiet space.

Sensory Room

If I need a break I can ask to go to the sensory room, which is a calm and quiet space.

TwistED Science is so much fun!

End of Journey

TwistED Science is so much fun!

i'm going to ecucha

I am going to TwistED Science.

My Journey Starts Here

I am going to TwistED Science.

I’ll wait to get my ticket or show my ticket at the front desk.

Tickets

I’ll wait to get my ticket or show my ticket at the front desk.

There are so many things to see and do at TwistED.

Science Exhibits

There are so many things to see and do at TwistED.

There are some bright lights, but most areas have gentle, natural light.

Fun with Bright Lights

There are some bright lights, but most areas have gentle, natural light.

Sometimes I will need to wait my turn, like if I am going to try the AR climbing wall

Waiting in line

Sometimes I will need to wait my turn, like if I am going to try the AR climbing wall

All the exhibits are safe to touch, but I will be gentle with them.

Safe exhibits

All the exhibits are safe to touch, but I will be gentle with them.

If I visit in the holidays, I may get to meet a lizard or giant insect. I don’t have to get close if I don’t want to, but they are very friendly.

Meet a lizard or giant insect on Holidays

If I visit in the holidays, I may get to meet a lizard or giant insect. I don’t have to get close if I don’t want to, but they are very friendly.

There are lots of different sensations to experience at TwistED. I can skip any exhibit that I don’t feel comfortable with.

Optional Exhibits

There are lots of different sensations to experience at TwistED. I can skip any exhibit that I don’t feel comfortable with.

If I want more information about the science I can ask my adult to scan the QR codes with their phone.

QR codes

If I want more information about the science I can ask my adult to scan the QR codes with their phone.

If I need help, the staff are very friendly and kind. They are wearing coloured hats and black clothes.

Accommodating Staff

If I need help, the staff are very friendly and kind. They are wearing coloured hats and black clothes.

TwistED Science is so much fun!

End of Journey

TwistED Science is so much fun!

FAQs

Yes. We frequently have groups attend with disabilities and are happy to accommodate as needed.

The vast majority of exhibits are accessible to wheelchair users. We do have a small number of exhibits that require the visitor to jump, sit on it, or in it, or get down and crawl, that may not be accessible to wheelchair users.

The vast majority of the exhibits are accessible for all visitors, however we do have some exhibits that require strength or hand dexterity that may be difficult for some visitors without help. We do have a small number of exhibits that require the visitor to jump, sit on it, or in it, or get down and crawl, that may not be accessible to wheelchair users or those with mobility differences. Some exhibits may not be comfortable for visitors with sensory sensitivities.

Yes. One of the things that sets TwistED Science apart from other museums is that we have hands on and active staff available to assist any visitors with their engagement and enjoyment of the exhibits.

A social story is a short story or narrative, with complementary illustrations or photos, that can be used to help individuals understand a new social situation. Social stories tend to be especially helpful for autistic and other neurodivergent people to support them to better understand and navigate a new or challenging social situation. Social stories also assist with reducing anxiety around the unexpected for those who may struggle with doing something outside of their usual routine. Please share the social stories with any TwistED Science Visitors who may find them helpful. They can be printed off and reviewed as many times as needed prior to a visit to TwistED.

A sensory map is a visual tool that people with sensory sensitivities, such as autism, can use to navigate an environment that may be overwhelming or distressing due to sensory stimuli. The sensory map highlights green zones that are relatively quiet with low levels of sensory input. Red zones are also highlighted to indicate areas of high sensory input such as bright lights and loud noises. Additionally, our sensory map includes symbols that indicate noisy, busy and brightly lit areas. By providing a sensory map we hope to enhance the overall TwistED Science experience by helping individuals with sensory sensitivities to feel more comfortable and in control during their visit.

A sensory room is an enclosed and quiet space for people to access who may be overwhelmed by the sensory input at a certain destination. At TwistED Science Moorabbin our sensory room provides respite to Visitors who may need a break from the exhibit floor. Find out more about our sensory room here.

To access the sensory room please go to the front desk and request the key. You will not need to provide any explanation as to why you would like to access the sensory room. You will need to sign out the key with your name and phone number and sign it back in when you return it. Only one family/group will have access to the sensory room at a time due to capacity limits and to ensure your time spent in the space is therapeutic and undisturbed. Please return the key as soon as you have finished so that other families can access the space as needed. You can of course visit the sensory room as many times as you need to during a session, as long as it is not currently in use by another family or group.

Kathy, our founder and CEO, is motivated by a personal connection to neurodiversity and is passionate about making science accessible to all. This mission is particularly close to her heart as she has a child and grandchild diagnosed with autism and ADHD. Kathy knows that everyone should have the opportunity to explore science and its wonders, regardless of ability or disability. Kathy also knows that science can be a real strength and talent for neurodivergent people. She is committed to supporting any person who loves science to reach their full potential by creating a comfortable and safe environment for them to excel and thrive.