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.
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.
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.
On Saturday 7th November there is a bonfire and firework display at Shugvorough Estate near Stafford. The event is one of the region’s biggest bonfire and firework displays superbly organised by Stafford Round Table. Plus family funfair. (Fair rides additional charge)
Times: Gates open 4:30pm – Bonfire Lit 6:30pm - Fireworks begin 7pm
Ticket prices: Over 12 £7.00, Child 12 and under £3.00, Under 3s FREE, Family (2A+2C) £15.00 (Family ticket only available in advance only. Other tickets available on the night).
Can’t make it to a Bonfire tonight? Never fear, there are lots happening over the weekend too. If you’re in the London area there’s one on Saturday 7th November at Alexander Palace with events starting at 4.30pm. In adition to the usual facilities for disabled people an allocated viewing area will also be provided.
The entertainment will include the country’s biggest and best German Bier Festival in the Great Hall. The family friendly festival features ‘frauleins’ in the form of authentic Bavarian waitresses serving a wide selection of German biers and food to the table and London’s finest Oompah Band playing Oktoberfest classics. Adding to the carnival atmosphere will be Chas and his Band (fronted by Chas Hodges from cockney duo Chas & Dave), performing a rare set of Chas n Dave classics and there will also be an Ale Festival and family fun area in the West Hall, special ice skating sessions and funfairs in the park.
Celebrate Bonfire Night with a bang this year at the spectacular community firework display and bonfire taking place at Roundhay Park, Leeds.
Once again in 2009, tens of thousands of people are expected to gather at Roundhay Park to enjoy Leeds’ biggest bonfire and fireworks event. Bonfire – Fire lighting at 7.30 pm – Fireworks: Firework Display from 8pm.
The Roundhay Park website simply states that “Roundhay Park is accessible to wheelchair users.”
Still need more ideas about what to do this Halloween?
Although the Haunted Attractions web site doesn’t have any specific information for disbaled people it is a great place to start the search for your perfect Halloween fun. You can serach their seasonal attraction listings as well as their year round listings. From there you can go through to the individual attractions websites to look for the relevant information and facilities that you require.
There’s inclusive entertaiment for all the family this Haloween at Chessington World of Adventures in Surrey from the 21st October – 1st November.
“The whole family can enjoy spooky entertainment this Halloween as wicked witches and naughty Goblins take over the Park! New for 2009 ‘The Black Forest Haunt’, escape from Transylvania…if you dare!
Plus a mythical Fiery Faun will be weaving enchanting tales of his homeland using magic and fire to delight the younger members of your family.
With rides in the dark and the chance to get up close and personal with the Zoo’s spiders, snakes and glow-in-the-dark scorpions there’s so much fun to be had it’s scary!”
Chessington World of Adventures has a guide for disabled people on their site.
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.
BALTIC is housed in a landmark industrial building on the south bank of the River Tyne in Gateshead and is the biggest gallery of its kind in the world.
BALTIC has no permanent collection, providing instead an ever-changing calendar of exhibitions and activities that give a unique and compelling insight into contemporary artistic practice. The BALTIC programme ranges from blockbuster exhibitions to innovative new work and projects created by artists working within the local community.
The centre currently has 3 exhibitions by Martin Parr, Malcolm McLaren and Kimsooja and they also give quite a lot of information regarding facilities for disabled people which includes:
“BALTIC is fully accessible with a range of free mobility, parking and general visitor facilities.
Parking (disabled)
There are seven reserved parking spaces for Blue Badge Holders situated to the rear of BALTIC with an access ramp on the riverside of the building which will direct you to the main entrance on BALTIC Square (approximately 180m away). A further five disabled parking bays are available adjacent to BALTIC on South Shore Road.
Toilets
Male, Female and unisex disabled toilets are available on all floors except Level 5.
Facilities for disabled visitors
Click here for a list of facilities available to use at BALTIC. Please contact us in advance to reserve a wheelchair, tri-wheel walker or scooter or to arrange personal guidance.
Guide and Hearing Dogs are welcome.
For information in Braille, large print or on audiotape, or to arrange a touch tour or sign language interpreted tour please call 0191 478 1810 or for textphone 0191 440 4944
BALTIC is part of the Gateshead Shopmobility Scheme. If you wish to book a scooter of wheelchair for your visit to the Gateshead Quayside, please call 0191 440 4960.”
According to English Heritage Audley End House in Essex is one of England’s finest country houses, and a mansion with a difference:
“Following the restoration of its great Service Wing, visitors can now tour the ‘parallel world’ where armies of servants laboured to ensure the smooth running of this great mansion.
Audley End takes its name from Sir Thomas Audley, Henry VIII’s Lord Chancellor who, after 1538, adapted the extensive buildings of suppressed Walden Abbey as his mansion. His grandson Thomas Howard, first Earl of Suffolk, rebuilt the house on a massive scale between 1603 and 1614. Known as ‘the Palace of Audley End’, this Jacobean ‘prodigy house’ was three times its present size, and one of the largest mansions in England. But in 1618 Suffolk fell from favour and into massive debt, and his great house went into decline. More
Disabled people can find access and other useful information on Visitor Information page of Audley End House and Gardens where it states:
Facilities Available:
Facilities Details:
Wheelchairs: we have four wheelchairs, available on request; four motorised wheelchairs available in grounds, but must be booked in advance. Please ring 01799 522842.
Toilets: Adapted; level access.
Shop: Level access.
Tea rooms: Ramped access to the tea rooms. Please note there are 3 steps to the self-service cafe.
Access:
Access to house: Via loose gravel, tarmac, cobbles and smooth grass. Ground floor level apart from Butlers Pantry which has 4 steps.
Gardens: Access via tarmac and gravel paths and very smooth grass. Seats provided. A number of bridges either have a step or steep slope.
Parking:
200m from entrance, with reserved parking for disabled visitors. Please make arrangements in advance if possible.
Visually Impaired Visitors:
Fountain, wildfowl and bird song in grounds; flower and rose gardens
The Bure Valley Railway runs almost al year round from Aylsham to Wroxham in Norfolk and has to be a great way to see the area. When I first found this through the VisitNorfolk website I was slightly cynical in thinking that there wouldn’t be any facilities for disabled people. However, after a few clicks and a little bit of exploring I found the Disabled Access information page and was pleasantly surprised to find that not only are both of the stations accessible but also the Bure Valley Railway has 6 adapted carriages that can take up to 4 manual wheelchairs each!
The Bure Valley Railway also work with Broads Tours so that people can take the train and then an hour and a half long river boat trip before going back to Aylsham by train. What’s more, the Broads Tours boat also have facilities for disabled people including access statements for each of the boats!
For me this looks like a great day out for all the family and shows that companies are not just providing facilities but are also trying to give us the information that we need in order to make informed decisions about whether an attraction is suitable for our individual requirements.
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