Accessible Studio: Silk City Music Factory

Silk City Music Factory in Manchester, Connecticut is a recording studio located inside the historic Hilliard Mills complex. The space provides strong physical access for visitors and shows a willingness to support different needs through its layout, as well as the ready-to-accomodate attitude of owner and recording engineer Philip Mann.

The studio is located at 640 Hilliard Street, Suite 3102, and is reached through a newly installed asphalt ramp leading into the building. An accessible route connects the entrance to the studio space and to a wheelchair-accessible restroom. Both the control room and recording area allow full turning radius, and the studio owner is present to assist visitors when needed.

Parking is available in the Hilliard Mills lot, including one marked accessible space. The lot is paved, maintained, and cleared during winter. Public bus stops are located within an eighth mile of the site. While nearby sidewalks exist, there is no direct pedestrian walkway to the property, so extra care is needed when approaching on foot.

Inside the building, clear signage identifies Silk City among other offices, and restroom signage includes braille. The entrance doors and interior studio doors are heavy and include floor-mounted door stops, which can be difficult for wheelchair users. These are tied to the building’s business operations and are not recommended for removal, but they remain an access challenge.

Silk City’s website clearly explains the services offered and provides contact information. However, it does not yet include accessibility details. While high-quality photos show the layout, visitors must still rely on direct communication to understand access features. Planned improvements include adding an accessibility widget, improving image text, and sharing more access information publicly.

Silk City Music Factory shows how physical access can be strong even as digital access continues to develop. By extending their efforts online, they have the opportunity to make their space easier to understand and use for everyone.