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Elizabeth Gaskell's House

84 Plymouth Grove , Manchester , M13 9LW

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • There is step-free access via slope at the most accessible entrance.
    • There is step-free level access throughout, this may include the use of a lift.
    • The basement, ground and first floors can be accessed via a standard lift and stairs.
    • The following facilities are available: a seat/chair and a water bowl for assistance dogs.
    • The venue can provide braille documents, documents in different languages and virtual tours.
    • Staff receive the following training: VocalEyes training, dementia training and SEN training.
    • There are volunteers in each room, who can describe the exhibits and assist visitors based on their needs.
  • Toilet and Changing Facilities View
    • There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on the basement and first floors.
    • The gender inclusive toilet facilities are located on the first floor.
    • The male and female toilet facilities are located on the basement floor.
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located in the toilet with adaptations, on the basement floor.

Parking

  • The car park is located through the right hand gate at the front of the house.
  • The car park is open air/surface.
  • There are 3 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
  • The Blue Badge bays are signposted but have no markings.
  • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a ramp or slope.
  • This car park is for Blue Badge holders only.
  • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
  • The onsite parking is only available for blue badge holders and needs to booked in advance of your visit.
    Visitors are asked to park considerately in the courtyard area as spaces are not marked.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located to the side of the museum building.
  • There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
  • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with a handrail on the right going up.
  • There is a buzzer at a height of 108cm.
  • There is a single manual door at this entrance.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 99cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located to the right as you enter the museum.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The basement, ground and first floors are accessed by this lift.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 89cm.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a visual floor indicator and a list of floor services/facilities.
  • There is a separate door to exit on the first floor.

Stairs (Ground to First Floor)

  • The stairs surveyed are located at the back of the front hall.
  • The ground and first floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors which are unmarked and have a handrail on the right going up.

Counter (Welcome Desk)

  • The counter is located to the front of the house, in the front hall.
  • The most accessible route to the counter has uneven surfaces and doors permanently held open.
  • There is step-free level access to the counter.
  • The height of the counter is 72cm.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There may be background noise in this area.

Exhibition Space (Ground Floor)

  • The museum is indoors.
  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • Access throughout may include uneven surfaces and doors permanently held open.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • The following may be experienced here: interactive video effects and audio triggered by the visitor.
  • There is background noise.
  • Display information includes: pictorial, information boards, touchscreens, televisions/screens and interactive exhibits at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
  • The tour is self-guided but volunteers/staff are available to provide additional information.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the tour, this may include the use of a lift.
  • Access throughout the tour may include uneven surfaces and doors permanently held open.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided throughout the tour.
  • There are furnishings and objects throughout the ground floor that visitors are invited to touch and handle.
    Visitors may sit on the majority of the chairs.
    Volunteers will advise of any seats that should not be used or any exhibits that should not be handled.

Exhibition Space (First Floor)

  • The museum is indoors.
  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • Access throughout may include doors permanently held open.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • The following may be experienced here: interactive video effects and audio triggered by the visitor.
  • There may be background noise.
  • Display information includes: information boards, touchscreens, televisions/screens and interactive exhibits at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
  • The tour is self-guided but volunteers/staff are available to provide additional information.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the tour, this may include the use of a lift.
  • Access throughout the tour may include doors permanently held open.
  • Areas with stepped access only can be experienced by visitors via an information booklet.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided throughout the tour.
  • The Bronte Room have interactive exhibits, including a dressing table that has audio when specific drawers are opened.
    Items on the dressing table can be handled and there are dressing-up clothes for children in this room.

Toilet with Adaptations (Basement - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the left of the tea room.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access, a lift and doors permanently held open.
    • 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.
    • The width of the door opening is 87cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • There is not 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 244cm (from the side of the toilet pan to the wall).
    • There is a spatula flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • There is a toilet roll holder on the dropdown rail, a wash basin, a soap dispenser and a hand dryer available.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a nappy/incontinence items bin.
    • Additional features include: a full length mirror, a shelf and a baby changing table.

Eating and Drinking (The Tea Room)

  • Location and Service View
    • The Tea Room and Servants’ Hall are situated on the basement floor.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access and a lift.
    • This area has a counter where food and drink can be ordered and colleagues who can provide assistance with ordering.
    • Menus are wall-mounted and available on a board.
    • The following dietary requirements can be catered for: gluten free, dairy free, lactose free, nut allergy, vegetarian and vegan.
    • The following are available: drinking straws and takeaway cups.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Order and Payment View
    • The service counter was surveyed.
    • The counter is located ahead as you enter.
    • There is step-free level access to the counter.
    • The height of the counter is 85cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
  • 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.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
    • There may be background noise in this area.

Exit

  • There is step-free level access at the exit.
  • There is a single manual door at this exit.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 100cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you exit.