If you are visually impaired, visit the Museum of the Second World War with a companion – both reaching the building independently, including finding the entrance, and exploring the site will be a very challenging experience. The square in front of the Museum of the Second World War lacks paths for people with visual impairments and warning areas about sudden changes in the angle of the pedestrian walkways (e.g., stairs or ramps). The main, automatic entrance doors are made of glass and lack contrasting markings. The facility lacks a comprehensive system of guide paths and attention areas for people with visual impairments on all exhibition levels (they are particularly lacking on levels -3 and 0). The ticket office and information desk are located on level -1. There are guide paths and attention areas for people with visual impairments, as well as two typhlographic maps. Information boards indicating the location of the Museum’s most important sites are legible, with large text and contrasting colours. The information desk is visible thanks to a large, contrasting sign. An audio guide is available for a fee. The museum has two sets of elevators: one is located right next to the main entrance, the other opposite, in the center of the floor. The buttons—labelled in Braille and embossed—are easy to identify by touch. The information boards in the elevators have good text contrast with the background, but the text is difficult to read for visually impaired visitors. The main exhibition is located on level -3. Part of the exhibition is well-lit and features signs with clear links to audio description recordings. There are no contrasts between the walls, floors, and pillars. Notice boards are only present in the main sections, outside the exhibition proper. Some exhibits are displayed on structural elements protruding beyond the walls, and the edges of these elements are not marked. It is not possible to explore the exhibits by touch. Large typhlographic boards with the floor plan are located opposite the elevator shafts on each level. The restroom signs on the premises are difficult to read, making it impossible to find and use the café/restaurant or gift shop independently.
If you are deaf or have other hearing impairments, it’s best to visit the Museum of the Second World War with a companion – exploring the full range of facilities on your own may be challenging. A Polish Sign Language (PJM) user works at the Museum – it’s worth asking in advance about the availability of such assistance. The museum staff is not equipped to use communication cards, and attempts to use one may embarrass the staff. The Polish Sign Language (PJM) audio guide allows for automatic playback and repeating of recordings, but the device has a small screen and a bulky strap, which can be uncomfortable during longer visits. Some content is only available in written form or with a Polish Sign Language translation, which doesn’t always ensure full understanding. The films accompanying the exhibition have subtitles only in English, and the audio interviews are not transcribed. Navigating the exhibition can be difficult – the lack of a clear visiting order, poor lighting in the rooms, and difficulty locating the designated areas for using the PJM e-guide limit the comfort of your visit. Some rooms are too dark, which further complicates communication between people speaking PJM and the use of audiovisual devices.
If you are a person with mobility impairments or a caregiver for one, please plan your visit to the Museum of the Second World War in advance. Visiting the Museum can be an engaging experience, but individuals with mobility impairments and their caregivers should familiarize themselves with the layout of the grounds and expect difficulties in moving around and accessing some of the content.
The grounds around the Museum and access to the building
The square is made of concrete slabs and cobblestones – difficult for people using manual wheelchairs. Information boards are placed at appropriate heights, but the crossings lack textured or contrasting markings There are no guide paths or warning signs in the square. The benches do not have side or backrests. Access to the art installation and the monument is unobstructed – approaching from any side is possible, even in a wheelchair. Identifying the entrance to the building can be difficult – the museum facade lacks clear, contrasting markings. Information boards around the building are difficult to find, and the alternative entrance with a ramp is difficult to find without prior knowledge of its location. The elevator leading to the main entrance is clearly visible and facilitates access, but a sign near the ramp vaguely states that it is intended for strollers only.
Level 0
The space is wide, allowing easy access to the display cases and multimedia stations. The wall signs are of appropriate size and contrast, and the screens are placed at the correct height, allowing wheelchair access. However, it’s worth being prepared for possible difficulties: lack of clear directions, too-thin fonts making descriptions illegible, incorrect inclination angles, some display cases placed too high/low, and some exhibits and content are inaccessible from a wheelchair. The exhibition is located away from the main circulation area and poorly marked.
Level -1- Entrance Hall
The hall is spacious, and navigating it, as well as reaching the information desk and the elevators, is relatively easy. The elevators are large and comfortable, with panels at the appropriate height. The information boards have good contrast, but the text is small and difficult to read. Significant difficulties: the glass entrance door lacks contrasting markings and has a slippery metal threshold; the alternative door is heavy and lacks an external intercom; the information desk is too high for a wheelchair user. Level -1 features attention areas to aid orientation, but using certain elements of the exhibition may require additional physical effort (e.g., boards placed too high or with too small captions).
Level -3- Main Exhibition
This is the most demanding part of the tour. The space is expansive, with a wide circulation route, but people with mobility impairments should be prepared for specific difficulties: difficulty finding the entrance to the exhibition – poorly visible information boards, some display cases and multimedia screens mounted too high or in difficult-to-reach places, information boards that are sometimes illegible, audio systems equipped with heavy headphones that are difficult to operate and put away (and often poorly positioned), the exhibition colours, and uneven lighting. Additionally, in one of the rooms, films can only be watched standing up – there are no seats.
If you are a caregiver for someone with a disability, plan your visit to the Museum of the Second World War in advance: using the services and navigating the exhibitions can be challenging, especially for people with intellectual disabilities or spatial orientation issues. Be prepared for challenges related to overstimulation. Consider the exhibition themes. The entrance signs to the building are vague and easy to miss. Directional arrows lead from the parking lot, and an elevator is located near the stairs. The ticket office and information desk are clearly visible. Be prepared to ask questions about the offer. The exhibition space on levels -1, 0, and -3 is spacious and access to the exhibits is easy. However, poor signage, darkness, and a lack of a clearly defined route can cause disorientation. The main exhibition level (-3) is particularly challenging. The Museum lacks a quiet room or a dedicated rest area, for example, for people with epilepsy. General navigation through the building is hampered by poorly visible direction signs and the insufficient number of staff also plays a role. Positive aspects include accessible language descriptions, the presence of tactile and audiovisual solutions, and the ability to explore the content independently thanks to multimedia installations, models, and photos. However, it’s worth remembering that noise, stuffiness, crowds, and the overlapping sounds of equipment can reduce the comfort of the visit – it’s best to avoid the tourist season. For visitors with intellectual disabilities or communication difficulties, a guided tour is recommended.
