OpenBritain Blog » Hearing Impairment

Centre for Alternative Technology, Wales

Craig Grimes — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 18:45:21 +0000

The first time I came across the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) was when I was studying for my degree and have to admit that, firstly it has been a long time since I visited this attraction and secondly it was before my I was a wheelchair user.

CAT offer a visitors centre that has “Interactive displays show global issues such as energy generation and transport, and practical, everyday solutions for everyone.” It’s highly educational, fun and stimulating, not just for the children but also for adults.

CAT mainly give information and advice for wheelchair users on their access page:

“Information for wheelchair users

Access to the Visitor Centre from Easter to the end of October is via the cliff railway which has carriages that are adapted to receive wheelchairs.

When you arrive at the Visitor Centre you will see the reception area in the car park at the bottom of the cliff railway. Parking is free. There is a short low-gradient ramp to access the reception and railway. We offer free entry to the Visitor Centre for carers

During the winter months, the railway is closed and access to the Visitor Centre is via the Garden Steps. This is a stepped pathway, which takes about 10 minutes to walk, passing the eco-cabins, vegetable fields and shop. Parking is provided near the visitor circuit at the top of the South Drive for those who are unable to walk up.

As CAT is located in a rural area with steep gradients, it has not been possible to make all paths accessible. The Garden Steps and Woodland Walk leading from the lower car park to the Visitor Centre are not suitable for wheelchairs or buggies.

The displays are located throughout a 7-acre open-air site. Most of the pathways around site are made up of compacted aggregates which are mostly level; however wheelchair users may require assistance in using these, particularly during periods of inclement weather. All the buildings have ramped or level access with doors, entrances and corridors wide enough for a wheelchair. There are wheelchair accessible toilets at the bottom car park reception building and near the shop at the top of the cliff railway.

We have electric mobility scooters and a wheelchair, either of which can be hired free of charge by calling 01654 705993 in advance of your visit.

Guide Dogs and Hearing Dogs are permitted onto the Visitor Centre.”

As I mentioned, it has been a while since I’ve been to CAT, but as I’d really like to go again, maybe I’ll see you there soon.

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Whitby Abbey

Craig Grimes — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 18:11:43 +0000

The Easter holidays are here and the kids are off school so from the 1st – 16th April we’ll be looking at some great days out across the UK that have facilities for disabled people.

First up is Whitby Abbey, managed by English Heritage and set in the picturesque North Yorkshire coastal town of, you guessed it, Whitby. With over 2000 years of history including the royal princess, Abbess Hild and Bram Sroker’s Dracula there’s something for all the family! The grounds are the perfect vantage point for picnics and views of the shoreline, Whitby and beyond.

The first thing people with mobility impairments may think when considering Whitby Abbey are the 199 steps to get to it! Never fear, it’s been tried and tested by OpenBritain’s very own blogger and wheelchair user, me. Assuming you have your own vehicle with you there’s a drop off point for disabled people at the main entrance and then there’s parking close by. There are also various buses that will get you to the abbey.

The English Heritage web site gives this information about access:

Access to monument and grounds: Via visitor centre; lift up to the grounds.
Grass paths around the ruins.
Steps to enter the nave.
Benches.
There are changes in the level and cobbled surfaces throughout the site.
It may become waterlogged in wet weather.
WC adapted for wheelchair users.

And further information for deaf and blind people:

Visually Impaired Visitors:

Audio tour designed with visually impaired in mind. Included in admission price. Tactile exhibits in the visitor centre.

Hearing Impaired Visitors:

Audio tour with hearing loop included in admission price. Subtitled audio-visual displays in the visitor centre.

Further information can be found on OpenBritain, on page 263 of the OpenBritain 2010 Guide and on the English Heritage Whitby Abbey Website.

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Proven House, Alston, Lancashire

Craig Grimes — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 19:10:18 +0000

Proven House provides self catering accomodation situated on a working farm near Alston, Lancashire, in the beautiful Ribble Valley and was converted to a very high standard in 2008. The property has been assessed and given awards for mobility, visual and hearing impairments under the National Accessible Scheme.

The house consists of a fully equipped kitchen/dining area with all modern amenities, comfortable lounge with digital TV/DVD, twin bedded room with adjustable beds and en-suite wet room with disabled facilities.

The Access Statement gives a summary of the provision for disabled people and further details can be found on OpenBritain, on page 281 of the OpenBritain 2010 Guide and on the Proven House Website.

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Fairhaven Gardens, Norwich, Norfolk

Craig Grimes — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:50:40 +0000

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Gardens situated in South Walsham, Norfolk is “is 90% wheelchair friendly and our tea room, gift shop and plant sales are fully accessible. We have five mobility scooters which we are able to lend out to visitors (please book in advance).” They have also installed hearing loops in the tea room, gift shop and on the boat.

“With the help of grant funding our sensory garden has been created with our mobility and visually impaired visitors in mind. We have created a Braille guide for this part of the garden and hope to create guides for other parts in the coming months. Most of our information boards throughout the garden have Braille panels and we will soon be introducing audio tours.”

(Source: Fairhaven Woodlands and Water Park, “All for All” webpage)

The website also offers a free downloadable map, list of events and information about other facilities. More information can be found on the Fairhaven website and their contact details can also be found on page 205 of the OpenBritain 2010 Guide and on OpenBritain where you can also post a review of this attraction.

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Wrest Park, Luton, Bedfordshire

Craig Grimes — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 19:32:16 +0000

As the weather begins to get slightly better and stay a little dryer (0k, so maybe I’m being very optimistic), it’s time for us to start looking again at what we can do in the great outdoors, countryside and parks. Wrest Park in Silsoe, Bedforshire is one of the UK’s least known parks and yet is magnificent and information for disabled people.

English Heritage provide information for people with mobility, hearing and visual impairments on their website which includes:

Facilities Details:

Toilets: Disabled toilet inside the mansion. Please see access details below.
Shop: Within mansion.
Limited refreshments (tea, coffee, biscuits, cold drinks, confectionary and ice creams) available from the shop. Currently no tearoom/café onsite.

Access:

Access to house: There are steps at the entrance, but an alternative level entrance is available to the garden. Unaccompanied wheelchair users should phone in advance to arrange for access. Buggies are available for disabled visitors.
Grounds and garden buildings: Access to the grounds is via mainly gravel paths and smooth grass. There are steps or a steep slope to the Orangery and steep steps to the Pavilion. There is a ramp to access the Bowling Green House. Benches are provided.

Parking:

Disabled visitors may park outside the mansion.

Visually Impaired Visitors:

Many garden ornaments and sculptures may be touched. There are also many trees and wild flowers.

Hearing Impaired Visitors:

Transcript of audio tour available. (Source: Wrest Park, English Heritage)

Further details can be found on OpenBritain, on page 204 of the OpenBritain 2010 Guide and on the English Heritage Website.

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DisabledGo Search Now on OpenBritain

Craig Grimes — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:35:31 +0000

The DisabledGo search engine is now available on OpenBritain in the left hand column. The engine allows users to search through over 50,000 venues and organisations that have facilities for disabled people. The venues listed include educational institutions such as universities and colleges, as well as health care centres such as hospitals, doctors surgeries and dentists. Libraries, post offices, community centres and local government and council services are also included.

In addition to this you can search for disability organisations and community groups in your area. You can also change the search radius from between 1 – 50 miles of a given location or postcode.

OpenBritain are proud to working with DisabledGo, so what are you waiting for? Why not try it today?

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Stonehenge, Wiltshire

Craig Grimes — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:01:28 +0000

Mystery surrounds this 5,000 year old monument in the centre of the World Heritage Site. Visit this prehistoric South West site near Salisbury in Wiltshire, and decide for yourself whether Stonehenge was a place of sun worship, a healing sanctuary, a sacred burial site, or something different altogether!

English Heritage also provide information and services for disabled people such as:

Facilities Details:

Toilets: WC adapted for wheelchair users in large toilet block at far end of car park.
Shop: Level access.
Refreshments: Light refreshments are available from the Stonehenge Kitchen.

Access: On tarmac and grass path around outer circle (subject to weather conditions). One wheelchair available to visitors on request at entrance kiosk.

Parking: Reserved parking for disabled drivers is available close to entrance. Ticket office reached by short, sloping tarmac path.

Visually Impaired Visitors: Braille and large print guides are available on request. Touching Stones accessible at the main entrance.

Hearing Impaired Visitors: Audio tour with hearing loop in ten languages (subject to availability).

Further information regarding facilities at Stonehenge can be found on OpenBritain, on page 126 of the OpenBritain 2010 Guide and on the English Heritage website.

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Mortons House Hotel, Corfe Castle, Dorset

Craig Grimes — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:39:21 +0000

Mortons House Hotel, an enchanting 16th Century manor house, now converted into an award-winning 21 bedroom luxury hotel and restaurant, is located in the picturesque village of Corfe Castle, which lies in the heart of the Isle of Purbeck.

Purbeck is a very special place. The World Heritage status of its ‘Jurassic’ coast, together with beautiful beaches, stunning countryside, history, geology, wildlife and so much more make it a ‘must-see’ location.

In recent years, Mortons House has been declared ‘Small Hotel of the Year’ and in addition received a Silver Award for ‘Accessible Accommodation’ (South West Tourism). The owners are equally proud of their ‘Gold Award’ status from VisitBritain. As well as this, the establishment, which has 4 rooms for disabled people, has been assessed under the National Accessible Scheme (NAS) and they also have a full Access Statement.

Further information can be found on the OpenBritain site, on page 110 of the OpenBritain 2010 Guide and on the Mortons House Hotel webpage.

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Tate Collection

Craig Grimes — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:53:17 +0000

When I think of the Tate Gallery I think of one gallery in London, maybe this is because I’m simply not in the know, the Tate Collection is actually 4 galleries across the UK and they provide quite a lot of information for disabled people on their website. I would recommend that you visit the website and have a look around for the information that you require but here’s a brief over view of the galleries and some of the available information.

The website is broken down into the 4 seperate gallaries, Tate Britain, Modern (both in London), Liverpool and St. Ives. In each section the format is the same.

On the Visiting pages there is general information regarding the specific gallery including the address, opening hours, admission prices and how to get there. This information is also available in British Sign Language (BSL) through RealPlayer and it also gives the Minicom number for deaf people.

Visiting Pages:

Tate Britain

Tate Modern

Tate Liverpool

Tate St. Ives
Each of the galleries has an Access and Facilities Page and a page relating to different programmes that the gallery runs for visitors with learning disabilities, blind and deaf people.

Access and Facilities:

Programmes:

The Tate Boat

There is also the Tate Boat which runs between the Tate Britain and Tate Modern and the site states that:
The Tate Boat can accommodate wheelchair users.

However, exceptionally high tides mean that the Tate Boat cannot navigate certain Thames bridges and a replacement vessel may be used at these times. Some replacement vessels are not able to accommodate wheelchair users so we strongly recommend that customers call 020 7887 8888 on the day of travel for further details.

Guide and hearing dogs are welcome on the Tate Boat.

Access at the Tate Collection

You can find all of this of this information and more on one handy Tate Collection Access Page.

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Tricking and Treating at the London Eye

Craig Grimes — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:26:16 +0000

Halloween is coming up so we’ve decided to take a look at what inclusive fun can be had for disabled people. In london the “London Eye, will be transformed with its landscape changed into a spooky forest complete with a bubbling bog of no return for children who’ve been naughty. From Saturday October 24th to Sunday November 1st, two very peculiar witch sisters will be teaching children a lesson about the perils of misbehaving with Witch Trick encouraging children to be naughty and Witch Treat trying to save them from her wicked sister.”

Information for disable people, including wheelchair users and people with visual and hearing impairments can be found on the London Eye website.

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