Access Guide
Getting Help and Assistance
- For the zoos information for visitors with disabilities please click here (new tab).
- Please click here for information on opening times.
- The following are available: zoo maps, sensory maps, accessibility maps, mobility scooter maps, assistance dog maps, downloadable zoo maps, downloadable sensory maps, downloadable accessibility maps, downloadable mobility scooter maps and downloadable assistance dog maps.
- There is a member of staff available for help and assistance.
- There is a member of staff trained in basic British Sign Language.
- The alternative formats documents can be provided in include; large print and different languages.
- There is an assistance dog toilet or toileting area at the venue/nearby.
- The assistance dog toilet or toileting area is located on the grass areas throughout the zoo.
- Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
- There are mobility aids available.
- The mobility aids available include wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
- To obtain mobility aids please contact the information desk at the main entrance.
- There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people who may feel scared or at risk.
- Sensory packs are available and include: ear defenders, fidget toys, sunglasses, binoculars, accessible maps and sensory maps. For more information about reserving a pack, and any charges, please contact the venue before your visit.
- Edinburgh Zoo Information - Visitors with Disabilities For accessibility information from the Edinburgh Zoo website, for assistance dog information, or to download a zoo map, wheelchair accessibility map or mobility scooter map, please click here (new tab).
Entrance
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located at the rear side of the building.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- This entrance is signed with 'Penguins Café'.
- There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
- There is a dark mat or floor marking at this entrance that might be perceived as a hole.
- The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is not an intercom.
- The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The door(s) is/are easy to open.
- The width of the opening is 129cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
- There is not a member of staff available for assistance at this entrance.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located leading up to the entrance.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
Eating and Drinking
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Service and Menus
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- Tables cannot be booked in advance.
- There is a counter where food and drink can be ordered and table service (on request only).
- Staff can bring food and/or drinks to tables.
- Menu types include: written wall menus.
- Menus are clearly written.
- Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
- Staff can read menus to customers if requested.
- The type of food served here is hot and cold meals and snacks.
- Takeaway cups are available.
- Adapted cups are not available.
- Adapted cutlery is not available.
- Drinking straws are available.
- This area does not play background music.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- There is not a portable card machine available for payment.
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Service Counter(s)
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- The height of the counter is 125cm.
- The height of the lowered section at the counter is 74cm.
- There is a clear knee recess beneath the low/lowered section of the counter.
- There is a moveable card machine available for payment.
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Tables and Seating
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- There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- The majority of tables are accessible to wheelchair users.
- The standard height for the underside of dining tables is 73cm.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- Some chairs are permanently fixed.
- No chairs have armrests on both sides.
- In this area there are bench seats.
- The type of flooring in this area is vinyl and laminate.
- There is some flooring which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- There is some flooring which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
- The lighting levels are good.
- Access to the additional seating area is via the door to the outside terrace, or an external ramp or steps.
- There are external standard picnic tables in the terrace area.
There are accessible picnic tables in the Penguins Picnic Area between the café and the Education Centre.
Toilet with Adaptations (Penguins Café - Right Hand Transfer)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
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Location and Access
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- This accessible toilet is located to the left as you enter the café.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the café entrance.
- There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
- This is a gender neutral toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is low.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is easy to open.
- The door is locked by a lever twist.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 86cm (2ft 10in).
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is low.
- The door has a horizontal grab rail.
- The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is high.
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Dimensions and Features
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- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 172cm x 258cm (5ft 8in x 8ft 6in).
- The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
- The lateral transfer space is 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The transfer space is obstructed by a waste disposal bin.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- There is not a spatula type lever flush.
- There is a lever flush.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is high.
- There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
- There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
- There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 47cm (1ft 7in).
- The toilet has a cistern.
- There is a lid attached to the toilet seat.
- The toilet seat colour contrast is high.
- There is a toilet roll holder.
- The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 98cm (3ft 3in).
- The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is medium.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is high.
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Additional Fixtures and Fittings
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- There is an emergency alarm.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
- Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
- There is a/are sanitary, general waste (with no lid) and pedal bin disposal units.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
- There is a mirror.
- The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin and tap(s) can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
- The height of the wash basin is 74cm (2ft 5in).
- There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
- The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is low.
- The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
- There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 90cm.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the towel dispenser is 107cm (3ft 6in).
- The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is low.
- There is not a hand dryer.
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Baby Changing Facilities
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- Baby changing facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
- There is a flip down baby change table available.
- The height of the baby change table is 81cm.
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Comments
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- There is a second wash basin at a height gf 81cm.
Standard Toilet(s)
- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Toilet Facilities
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- The gender neutral toilet is located to the left as you enter the café.
- There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 10m from the café entrance.
- The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is low.
- There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
- The height of the wash basin(s) is 86cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is push.
- Lighting levels are good.