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Ulster Hall

34 Bedford Street, Belfast, BT2 7FF

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
    • Facilities available in the venue include: a theatre, 2 bars, and an exhibition space.
  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • There is step-free access via slope at the most accessible entrance.
    • There is also an alternative main entrance with stepped access.
    • There is step-free level access throughout, this may include the use of a lift.
    • Access throughout may include manual doors and doors permanently held open.
    • Floor 0 and 1 can be accessed via a standard lift and stairs.
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • There is seating available.
    • There is a fixed hearing assistance system.
    • You can borrow or hire the following equipment: a manual wheelchair.
    • British Sign Language interpreters can be provided on request.
    • There is not a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
    • There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.
    • Additional facilities/services include: Wi-Fi.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located in the south corridor on floor 0 and in the north corridor on floor 1.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located in the male and female toilets in the floor 0 south corridor.
    • The male and female step-free standard toilet facilities are located in the north and south corridors on floors 0 and 1 .
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located in each accessible toilet and the female standard toilet on level 0.

Parking

Entrance (Accessible)

  • This entrance is located to the right of the building.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces and bollards.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via slope at the entrance.
  • The slope has a steep gradient.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 151cm.
  • The doors have a medium visual contrast.
  • There is a second single automatic door.
  • The second door opens away from you.
  • The push pad for the automatic doors is at a height of 85cm.
  • The width of the opening is 121cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The second door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 85cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception (Box Office)

  • The reception is located ahead when entering via the accessible entrance.
  • The distance from the accessible entrance is 11m.
  • There is step-free level access to the reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 108cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 74cm.
  • The reception has patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
  • There may be background noise in this area.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas, this may include the use of a lift.
  • Access throughout may include manual doors and doors permanently held open.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • The visual contrast between the walls and floor varies between low and high.
  • Some of the walls have a reflective finish.
  • There may be background noise.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
  • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout.
  • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
  • Lighting levels are adjustable in some areas.

Eating and Drinking (Entrance Foyer Bar)

  • Location and Access View
    • The bar is located on the right when entering via the accessible entrance.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into this area.
  • Service View
    • This area has a bar where drinks can be ordered and staff who can provide assistance with ordering.
    • The following are available: takeaway cups.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Order and Payment View
    • The payment counter was surveyed.
    • There is step-free level access to the counter.
    • The height of the counter is 111cm.
    • There is a lowered section at the counter.
    • The height of the lowered section is 84cm.
  • Seating Area View
    • The flooring is shiny.
    • The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
    • There may be background noise in this area.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Toilet with Adaptations (Floor 0 - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located along the south corridor on level 0.
    • The distance from the accessible entrance is 22m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and manual doors.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a medium visual contrast.
    • The door requires effort to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 95cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a medium visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 195cm (width) x 214cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 90cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 46cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 90cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 67cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 96cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 109cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a medium visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 99cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin, a sanitary bin and a pedal bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 97cm.
    • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Theatre

  • Theatre Information View
    • Advanced bookings are available.
    • Concessions are available.
    • Captioned performances are available.
    • Signed performances are available.
    • Audio described performances are available.
    • Autism friendly/relaxed performances are not available.
    • Sensory friendly performances are not available.
    • There is an infrared assisted hearing system.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested, however it was not working at the time of the survey.
  • Auditorium View
    • The most accessible route to the auditorium has step-free level access and manual doors.
    • There is step-free level access to a row of seating.
    • There is a designated seating area.
    • The following rows have stepped access: B to H.
    • Wheelchair users can contact the venue in advance to arrange seating on the balcony.
    • Seating available includes: flip-down seats with armrests.

Exhibition Space (Carey Gallery)

  • This area is indoors.
  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
  • Display information includes: pictorial and information boards.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There are shows/talks with no designated seating for wheelchair users .
  • The tour is self-guided.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the tour.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located to the right as you exit the reception foyer.
  • The distance from the accessible entrance is 11m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and manual doors.
  • Floors 0 and 1 are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a high visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings and a low visual contrast.
  • Some of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 90cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 109cm (width) x 138cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a low visual contrast.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the right as you exit the reception foyer.
  • Floors 0 and 1 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps have low visual contrast markings and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are not easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.

Designated Seating (Theatre)

  • The designated seating area surveyed is located in rows G and H.
  • The distance from the lift is 8m.
  • The most accessible route to the designated seating has manual doors and doors permanently held open.
  • There is step-free level access to the designated seating.
  • The designated seating area is not clearly marked or signed.
  • The number of spaces for wheelchair users varies.
  • The view from this seating area is clear from obstructions.
  • Companions sit next to you.
  • There is a member of staff available for assistance.
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests.
  • The seating is fixed.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There is a toilet with adaptations close to the seating area (within approximately 50m).
  • Seats can be removed to accommodate wheelchair users.

Eating and Drinking (Group Space Bar)

  • Location and Access View
    • The group space bar is located on floor 1, to the left when exiting the lift.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access and manual doors.
    • There is step-free level access into this area.
    • There are double manual doors with a high visual contrast.
    • The doors open towards you.
    • The doors require effort to open.
    • The width of the opening is 150cm.
  • Service View
    • This area has a bar where drinks can be ordered, staff who can provide assistance with ordering and designated seating.
    • Full table service is not available.
    • Menus are wall-mounted and digital.
    • The following are available: drinking straws and takeaway cups.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Order and Payment View
    • The payment counter was surveyed.
    • The counter is located to the right when entering.
    • There is step-free level access to the counter.
    • The height of the counter is 115cm.
    • There is a lowered section at the counter.
    • The height of the lowered section is 92cm.
    • The counter has mirrors.
  • Seating Area View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
    • The flooring is shiny.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Seating available in this area includes: high stools.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: high tables.
    • The surface height of the tables is not suitable for wheelchair users.
    • The clear height under the tables is not suitable for wheelchair users.
    • There may be background noise in this area.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.