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West Midlands Police Museum

The Lock-up, 40 Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham, B4 6BJ

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
    • West Midlands Police Museum is located in a Victorian cell block on Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham with displays and exhibits featuring two centuries of policing history.
    • Facilities available in the venue include: exhibitions, shop, coffee shop, room hire and guided tours.
    • View information on opening times.
  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • There is step-free level access at the most accessible entrance.
    • The most accessible entrance is located in Coleridge Passage.
    • There is stepped access at the main entrance.
    • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
    • The following areas have stepped access: some of the cells and the viewing window for the Victorian tunnel.
    • The following areas have step-free access via slopes: the accessible entrance.
    • Doors are held open along circulation routes.
    • Access throughout may include uneven surfaces and narrow walkways.
    • The basement level to level 1 can be accessed via a standard lift and stairs.
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • Seating is available.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • You can borrow or hire the following equipment: a manual wheelchair.
    • Additional equipment which can be borrowed or hired includes: sensory backpacks, pop-up sensory tent, ear defenders.
    • There is a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
    • There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located on the ground floor.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a left hand transfer space.
  • Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the toilet with adaptations.

Accessible Entrance - Coleridge Passage

  • This entrance is located in Coleridge Passage.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 123cm.
  • There is a single manual door.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The door requires effort to open.
  • There is a locked extension leaf.
  • The locked extension leaf can be opened on request.
  • The width of the opening is 87cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a low colour contrast.
  • There is a second, single manual door.
  • The door is permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 83cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a high colour contrast.
  • There is step-free access via a slope as you enter.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step-free access between floors via lift.
    • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of walkways.
    • The following areas have stepped access: some of the cells and the viewing window for the Victorian tunnel.
    • The following areas have step-free access via slopes: the route from the accessible entrance.
  • Circulation View
    • Doors are held open along circulation routes.
    • Access throughout may include uneven surfaces and narrow walkways.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor varies between low and high along circulation routes.
    • Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
    • There is background noise in some areas of the venue.
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • The colour, design and typeface of signage is consistent throughout.
    • Seating available in the walkways includes: chairs without armrests.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
    • Lighting levels are adjustable.

Reception

  • Location View
    • The reception is located at the end of the walkway to the left hand side, when entering the building from the accessible entrance.
    • The distance from the accessible entrance is 25m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the reception has step-free level access.
    • Doors are held open along the most accessible route.
    • This route has uneven surfaces and narrow walkways.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access to reception.
    • The height of the reception desk is 116cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
    • The reception has patterned/distracting backgrounds which may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the function/event.
    • Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.
    • Lighting levels are adjustable.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
    • Seating available in this area includes: benches.
    • Seating is fixed.

Gift Shop

  • Access to the Shop View
    • The gift shop is located off the reception area.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
    • There is step-free level access into the shop.
    • There is a single manual door.
    • The door opens towards you.
    • The door requires effort to open.
    • The width of the opening is 86cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
    • The door has a high colour contrast.
  • Shop View
    • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
    • The majority of main aisle widths are over 180cm.
    • Product displays/containers that may be more difficult for some to reach or open include: low shelving and high shelving.
    • There may be background noise.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
    • Lighting levels are adjustable.
  • Payment Counters and Checkouts View
    • The payment counter is located to the left hand side as you enter.
    • Signage is not provided for the counter.
    • The height of the counter is 107cm.
    • There is a lowered section at the counter.
    • The height of the lowered section is 77cm.
    • The payment machine is portable.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
    • Lighting levels are adjustable.

Toilet with Adaptations (Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the ground floor, off the corridor leading from the accessible entrance to reception.
    • The distance from the accessible entrance is 12m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high colour contrast.
    • The door requires effort to open.
    • The width of the opening is 78cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
    • Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a medium colour contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 306cm (width) x 189cm (depth).
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 136cm (from the side of the toilet pan to the wall).
    • There is a spatula flush for the toilet.
    • The flush is on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a dropdown grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a medium colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 107cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The wash basin and tap can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 78cm from the floor.
    • There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high colour contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a medium colour contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 77cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a medium colour contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 109cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is an unobstructed shelf.
    • The shelf meets the AccessAble criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin, a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 86cm.
    • The walls and floor colour contrast varies between low and high.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Exhibition Space (Exhibition Spaces - Basement, Ground and First Floors)

  • The area is indoors.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
  • The walls and floor colour contrast varies between low and high.
  • The following may be experienced here: lighting effects and interactive video effects.
  • There may be background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • Lighting levels are adjustable.
  • Display information includes: pictorial, audio description, information boards and televisions/screens.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: desks.
  • Guided tours are available.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of the tour.
  • The following areas have stepped access: some of the cells and the viewing window for the Victorian tunnel.
  • The tour also has uneven surfaces and narrow walkways.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided throughout the tour.
  • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
  • The flooring in the walkways on the ground and first floor is made of metal see-through grate, and could cause visual instability.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located through the door and to the left hand side of the main corridor from reception.
  • The distance from the reception is 15m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • There is a manual door along the most accessible route.
  • Standard Lift View
    • The basement level to the first floor can be accessed by this lift.
    • The lift door has a high colour contrast.
    • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
    • The weight limit for the lift is 400kg.
    • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings.
    • The control buttons have a high colour contrast.
    • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The lift door opening width is 92cm.
    • The internal dimensions of the lift are 114cm (width) x 145cm (depth).
    • The internal lift control buttons have tactile and Braille markings.
    • The control buttons have a high colour contrast.
    • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • Internally the lift has: a list of floor services/facilities, an audible announcer and a mirror to aid reversing.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Stairs

  • The stairs are located to the left and right hand sides of all floors.
  • The basement level to level one can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There is a single manual door to access the stairwell.
  • There are handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are 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 step markings are not clearly visible.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 19cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm-45cm.
  • The steps have open risers.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • The open-risers and the metal grating on the metal staircase could cause visual instability.

Coffee Shop - Basement

  • Location and Access View
    • The coffee shop is located on the basement level, to the far right hand side if accessing the coffee shop from the lift.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
    • There is step-free level access into this area.
    • There is a single manual door.
    • The door is permanently held open.
    • The width of the opening is 87cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
    • The door has a high colour contrast.
    • This area has a counter where food and drink can be ordered.
  • Order and Payment View
    • The service counter was surveyed.
    • The counter is located straight ahead, from the door.
    • There is step-free level access to the counter.
    • The height of the counter is 77cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
  • Seating Area View
    • The payment machine is portable.
    • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
    • There is some room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
    • The flooring is shiny.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
    • The surface height of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • The clear height under the tables is 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 and unshaded light sources.
  • Service View
    • This area also has staff who can provide assistance with ordering.
    • Full table service is not available.
    • Menus are not available.
    • The following are available: takeaway cups.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Education Room

  • The room is located on the far left hand side, if accessing the basement level from the lift.
  • The distance from the lift is 25m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • There is no signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is a single manual door.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The door requires effort to open.
  • The width of the opening is 79cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a high colour contrast.
  • There is step-free level access throughout.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
  • Seating available in this room includes: chairs without armrests.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Additional facilities/services include: a television with subtitles.
  • There may be background noise in this room.
  • Announcements are in person.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.
  • The layout of the room may differ, depending upon the event.