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  • 1.  Art Museums and Child Accessibility

    Posted 06-05-2015 01:15 PM

    Hi there,

    I work at an art museum and would like to install special stools in the restrooms to help parents and children reach the sink. I'd love to hear from those of you who have experience with these or any thoughts you might have.

    Thanks,

    Leslie

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    Leslie Denk
    Director of Public Affairs
    Norton Simon Museum of Art
    Pasadena CA
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  • 2.  RE: Art Museums and Child Accessibility

    Posted 06-06-2015 08:20 AM
    I have seen very simple stools used with great success. The key is lightweight, non-skid and easy to clean!  Graco makes one (Graco Deluxe Step Stool) that is plastic, lightweight but with skid resistant feet and top. It is about $8 at major big box stores. Looking at the "potty training" section of most stores should give you a nice selection. Hope that helps!

    Sarah



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  • 3.  RE: Art Museums and Child Accessibility

    Posted 06-07-2015 07:46 AM

    Hello all.  We use plastic ones from Ikea. They are lightweight, non-skid and can be hosed down and left in the sun to dry (and with the heat in Kuwait, I think they even get sterilized!). 

    We actually have a separate batch that we keep in a storage area near the galleries.  These we pull out when we have little kids looking at tall cases.

    Gotta love Ikea.

    Sue


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    Susan Day
    Education and Communications Consultant
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Art Museums and Child Accessibility

    Posted 06-06-2015 09:40 AM

    Leslie,

    I've worked with museums that have had stepping stools near sinks for kids. Naturally, they get pretty funky with all that water nearby and being splashed with mop water and other less mentionable fluids. I've even seen a few wooden ones that were beyond disgusting. I've recommended a stainless flip-down stool that works quite well.

    Here's a well-constructed one: http://stepnwash.com/product.html

    They still need special cleaning attention but because they're up and out of way it's a bit better.

    Good luck!


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    SethFrankel
    Principal, Studio Tectonic
    Boulder, Colorado
    seth@studiotectonic.com
    www.studiotectonic.com
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Art Museums and Child Accessibility

    Posted 06-08-2015 10:54 AM

    We started using this product about a year ago and it works very well.  Parents who want to use it, can and those who don't, can make it go away.  It never gets moved and therefore is not a tripping hazard.

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    Tina Brown
    Director of Operations
    Adventure Science Center
    Nashville TN
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Art Museums and Child Accessibility

    Posted 06-08-2015 02:09 PM


    Thanks, Seth! I've been looking at this brand.


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    Leslie Denk
    Director of Public Affairs
    Norton Simon Museum of Art
    Pasadena CA
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Art Museums and Child Accessibility

    Posted 06-06-2015 12:53 PM

    We recently installed a Step 'N Wash at one of the four sinks in our public restrooms (one in both the men's and women's) and we love it. I see families using them all the time but when it's in the retracted position, it's not in the way. I really recommend this brand - it's such a great way to show you support families in your facility!

    angela


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    Angela Linn
    Senior Collections Manager, Ethnology & History
    University of Alaska Museum of the North
    Fairbanks AK
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    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Art Museums and Child Accessibility

    Posted 06-06-2015 04:33 PM

    If you want to test something before going to the stainless steel, I recommend the Baby Bjorn step stools. Low skid, super sturdy.  Much stronger than other step stools we've tried. And you can power wash them, which they will need!

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    Betsy Loring
    Exhibits Manager
    EcoTarium
    Worcester MA
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