Access Guide
Central Museum Lifts
- The lift surveyed is located to the rear of the entrance hall, in the middle of the museum.
- There are 2 identical lifts opposite each other.
- The distance from the entrance is 25m.
- The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
- Levels 0, 1, 3 and 5 are accessed by this lift.
- The lift door has a medium visual contrast.
- The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
- All 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 110cm (width) x 180cm (depth).
- The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings, a medium visual contrast 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 visual floor indicator.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
- There are other lifts available at this location which vary in size.
Side Lifts
- The lift surveyed is located at the side of the main museum.
- The distance from the main gallery lifts is 40m.
- The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access, a lift, doors permanently held open and automatic doors.
- Levels 1, 3 and 5 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).
- All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
- The lift door opening width is 112cm.
- The internal dimensions of the lift are 160cm (width) x 120cm (depth).
- The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a low visual contrast.
- The majority of the internal controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
- Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing, a visual floor indicator, an audible announcer and a list of floor services/facilities.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
- There are other lifts available at this location which vary in size.
- There are similar lifts at both sides of the main exhibition galleries.
Escalators
- The escalators surveyed are located off the central gallery area.
- Levels 1, 3 and 5 are accessed by escalators.
- The escalator steps are unmarked.
- The foot (bottom) and head (top) of the escalators are not clearly marked.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
Balcony Stairs
- The stairs surveyed are located at both ends of the main museum.
- The stairs lead to either side of the balcony.
- Levels 1, 3 an 5 can be accessed by these stairs.
- There are 20+ steps between floors.
- The steps are clearly marked and have a handrail that switches sides.
- The handrails are not easy to grip.
- The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
- The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
Side Stairs
- The stairs surveyed are located at the side of the main museum.
- There are similar stairs at the other side of the main museum.
- There are permanently held open doors to access the stairwell.
- Levels 1, 3 and 5 can be accessed by these stairs.
- There are 20+ steps between floors.
- The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
- The handrails are easy to grip.
- The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- The handrails extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
- The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
- The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
- The steps have open risers.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
Grand Gallery, Gallery 3 and Gallery 4
- All exhibits are indoors.
- There is step-free level access throughout all areas, this may include the use of a lift.
- Access throughout may include doors permanently held open and automatic doors.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
- The flooring is shiny.
- The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
- The following may be experienced here: lighting effects.
- There may be background noise.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
- Display information includes: tactile, pictorial, audio guides, information boards, televisions/screens, interactive exhibits at a suitable height for a wheelchair user and subtitles.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- Seating available in this area includes: benches.
- The chairs are fixed.
- The tour is self-guided but volunteers/staff are available to provide additional information.
Living Lands, Patterns of Life and Imagine
- All exhibits are indoors.
- There is step-free level access throughout all areas, this may include the use of a lift.
- Access throughout may include doors permanently held open and automatic doors.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
- Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
- The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
- The following may be experienced here: flash photography, lighting effects and interactive video effects.
- There is background noise.
- Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
- Display information includes: tactile, pictorial, audio guides, information boards, touchscreens, televisions/screens, interactive exhibits at a suitable height for a wheelchair user and subtitles.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests and benches.
- The chairs are fixed.
- The tour is self-guided but volunteers/staff are available to provide additional information.
Animal World and Earth in Space
- All exhibits are indoors.
- There is step-free level access throughout all areas, this may include the use of a lift.
- Access throughout may include doors permanently held open, automatic doors and narrow walkways.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
- Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
- The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
- The following may be experienced here: strobe or flashing lights, sudden loud noises, lighting effects and interactive video effects.
- There is background noise.
- Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
- Display information includes: tactile, pictorial, audio guides, information boards, touchscreens, televisions/screens, interactive exhibits at a suitable height for a wheelchair user and subtitles.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests and benches.
- The chairs are fixed.
- The tour is self-guided but volunteers/staff are available to provide additional information.
Toilet with Adaptations (Animal World - Level 1 - Right Hand Transfer)
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Access
View
- The toilet surveyed is located on level 1, near the Animal World exhibits.
- The distance from the lift is 20m.
- The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and a lift.
- There is step-free level access into the facility.
- The door opens outwards and has a low visual contrast.
- The door is easy to open.
- The width of the door opening is 89cm.
- The door has a lever twist lock.
- Internally the door has a low visual contrast.
- There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
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Dimensions and Features
View
- The dimensions of the cubicle are 160cm (width) x 200cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
- There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet.
- The lateral transfer space is 148cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
- There is a push button flush on the wall above the cistern.
- 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 87cm from the floor.
- The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is 70cm 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 100cm from the floor.
- There is not a towel dispenser.
- There is not a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer has a high visual contrast.
- The hand dryer is 98cm from the floor.
- There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
- There is a mirror.
- There is no shelf.
- The cubicle has a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
- There are multiple coat hooks.
- The coat hooks are 113cm and 175cm from the floor.
- The height of the baby change facility when in use is 76cm.
- The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
Collecting Stories
- All exhibits are indoors.
- There is step-free level access throughout all areas, this may include the use of a lift.
- Access throughout may include doors permanently held open and automatic doors.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
- Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
- The following may be experienced here: lighting effects and interactive video effects.
- There is background noise.
- Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
- Display information includes: tactile, pictorial, audio guides, information boards, televisions/screens, interactive exhibits at a suitable height for a wheelchair user and subtitles.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- Seating available in this area includes: benches.
- The chairs are fixed.
- The tour is self-guided but volunteers/staff are available to provide additional information.
Fashion and Style
- All exhibits are indoors.
- There is step-free level access throughout all areas, this may include the use of a lift.
- Access throughout may include doors permanently held open and automatic doors.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
- Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
- The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
- The following may be experienced here: lighting effects and interactive video effects.
- There may be background noise.
- Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
- Display information includes: tactile, pictorial, audio guides, information boards, televisions/screens, interactive exhibits at a suitable height for a wheelchair user and subtitles.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- Seating available in this area includes: benches.
- The chairs are fixed.
- The tour is self-guided but volunteers/staff are available to provide additional information.
Explore and Making It
- All exhibits are indoors.
- There is step-free level access throughout all areas, this may include the use of a lift.
- Access throughout may include doors permanently held open, automatic doors and narrow walkways.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
- The flooring is shiny and patterned.
- The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
- The following may be experienced here: strobe or flashing lights, sudden loud noises, lighting effects and interactive video effects.
- There is background noise.
- Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
- Display information includes: tactile, pictorial, audio guides, information boards, touchscreens, televisions/screens, interactive exhibits at a suitable height for a wheelchair user and subtitles.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests and benches.
- The chairs are fixed.
- The tour is self-guided but volunteers/staff are available to provide additional information.