WINNIPEG — The Manitoba Children’s Museum says it will not be changing its age restriction policy despite calls from a disabled man’s family for it to be more inclusive.
Emily Janzen spoke out to Global News on Wednesday after her 21-year-old brother Josh, who lives with severe Cerebral Palsy, was denied access to the Children’s Museum because he is over the age of 18.
“I was just shocked there is no discrepancy in how that applies. I guess they see it as black and white,” said Janzen. “I don’t see the benefits of it being so black and white. Maybe accommodate people who are challenged mentally and physically.”
READ MORE: Winnipegger with disability denied admittance to museum
The museum does not allow people of the age of 18 to attend unaccompanied by children.
Its policy can be found online and states “the Children’s Museum enforces a general admission policy whereby we reserve the right to restrict admitting children unaccompanied by adults as well as adults unaccompanied by children.”
“No children without adults and no adults without kids,” said Erin McIntyre, director of education and exhibits at the museum. “What we are trying to achieve with that policy is to protect the security and the safety of our young visitors that we are here to facilitate an experience for.”
When contacted again on Thursday, the museum stood by its earlier statements and policy and said it would not be reviewing or changing it.
Janzen said other places within the city have always been very accommodating.
“We have been to places like Tinker Town or Grand Prix Amusements,” said Janzen. “They take a bit of extra time to help us get him set up in the rides so he can experience normal things.”
After Global News broadcast the story on air and online there was outrage.
“This is disgusting!!! Just because an individual is over the age of 18 does not mean that person may function as such,” said one woman on Facebook. “The Children’s Museum should be absolutely ashamed of themselves.”
“They need to change that policy,” said another. ” I’m utterly disgusted!”
Global News contacted a number of other children’s museums across North America and could not find another blanket policy that did not take exceptions for people living with disabilities into consideration.
The Children’s Discovery Museum in Saskatoon said a person with a disability, of any age, would “absolutely” be allowed full access to the facility.
The same response was given from museums in Hamilton, Laval, Ottawa, London, just to name a few.
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