Posts Tagged ‘Blind’
Friday, April 2nd, 2010
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.
Tags: Assistance Dogs, Attraction, Blind, Deaf, Disability, Disabled, Hearing Impairment, OpenBritain, United Kingdom, Visual Impairment, Wales, Wheelchair
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by Craig Grimes in Assistance Animals, Attraction, Blind, Deaf, Hearing Impairment, OpenBritain, Things to Do, United Kingdom, Visual Impairment, Wales, Wheelchair User | No Comments »
Thursday, April 1st, 2010
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.
Tags: Access, Architecture, Attraction, Blind, Deaf, Disability, Disabled, England, Hearing Impairment, OpenBritain, Toilet, United Kingdom, Visual Impairment, Wheelchair, Yorkshire & Humber
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by Craig Grimes in Attraction, England, English Heritage, Hearing Impairment, OpenBritain, Things to Do, Tourism, Travel, United Kingdom, Visual Impairment, Wheelchair User, Yorkshire & Humber | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 31st, 2010
This month the Civil Aviation Authority published its review on the implementation of European legislation on the rights of disabled and reduced mobility passengers in the UK.
The CAA concluded that there are some areas where it would be helpful for industry and People with Reduced Mobility groups to work together to consider possible improvements. These include:
- increasing consumer and industry awareness of their rights and responsibilities under the Regulation;
- increasing the capture of passenger needs at booking, and to ensure these are effectively passed on to airports;
- ensuring that airlines/tour operators/travel agents provide sufficient information so passengers can make informed choices about journeys;
- ensuring that airports are aiming at a service that covers all parts of the passenger journey (including points of arrival at airport and journey through airport after arrival by air);
- increasing the number of routes available for passengers travelling with assistance dogs; and
- making airports simpler and easier for PRMs to navigate themselves or with assistance from accompanying passengers, e.g. by better signage and provision of audible and visual information to assist blind and deaf passengers.
A full copy of the Accessible Air Travel Review can be downloaded at the CAA website.
Source: CAA
Tags: Access, Airlines, Blind, CAA, Deaf, Disability, Disabled, England, Hearing Impairment, Tourism, Travel, United Kingdom, Visual Impairment, Wheelchair
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by Craig Grimes in Airlines, Blind, Deaf, Europe, Rights, Tourism, Transport, Travel, United Kingdom, Wheelchair User | No Comments »
Friday, February 19th, 2010
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.
Tags: Access, Accommodation, Blind, Cumbria, Deaf, Hearing Impairment, Level Access, OpenBritain, Self Catering, Tourism, United Kingdom, Visual Impairment, Wheelchair
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by Craig Grimes in Accommodation, Blind, Cumbria, Deaf, England, Hearing Impairment, North West, OpenBritain, Self Catering, Tourism, United Kingdom, Visual Impairment, Wheelchair User | No Comments »
Friday, February 12th, 2010
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.
Tags: Access, Attraction, Blind, Boat, Deaf, Disabled, England, Fairhaven, Gardens, Hearing Impairment, Norfolk, OpenBritain, Park, United Kingdom, Visual Impairment, Wheelchair
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by Craig Grimes in Attraction, Blind, Deaf, England, Gardens, Hearing Impairment, Norfolk, OpenBritain, Things to Do, Tourism, United Kingdom, Visual Impairment, Wheelchair User | No Comments »
Friday, December 11th, 2009
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.
Tags: Access, Architecture, Attraction, Blind, Deaf, Disability, England, Hearing Impairment, OpenBritain, South West, Stonehenge, United Kingdom, Visual Impairment, Wheelchair, Wiltshire
Posted
by Craig Grimes in Architecture, Attraction, Blind, Deaf, England, English Heritage, Hearing Impairment, OpenBritain, South West, Things to Do, Tourism, United Kingdom, Visual Impairment, Wheelchair User, Wiltshire | No Comments »
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