Access Guide
Overview
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About
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- This is a museum with multiple services..
- Services available in the venue include: a cafe, a shop, an events/meeting room and a makers space.
- View information on opening times
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Parking and Public Transport
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- The venue does not have its own car park.
- There is on-street Blue Badge Bay parking and a public car park nearby.
- The nearest train station is Galashiels.
- For the latest travel options and information you can plan your travel using Google Maps (opens new tab).
- View information on getting here (opens new tab) .
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Getting In and Around
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- There is step-free level access at the most accessible entrance.
- There is step-free level access throughout, this may include the use of a lift.
- The ground and first floors can be accessed via a standard lift and stairs.
- The following facilities are available: a seat/chair, a manual wheelchair, walking aids, a water bowl for assistance dogs and a hearing assistance (on request).
- View more information on borrowing or hiring equipment (opens new tab).
- The venue can provide documents in different languages and an audio description service.
- Additional facilities/services include: phone charging points and Wi-Fi.
- Staff receive the following training: disability awareness training, first aid and food safety.
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Toilet and Changing Facilities
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- There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
- Toilets with adaptations are located on the ground floor, behind the reception area.
- The gender inclusive step-free toilet facilities are located on the ground floor, behind the reception area.
- Parent and baby changing facilities are located in the toilets with adaptations for disabled people on the ground floor.
Entrance
- This entrance is located at the front of the building.
- There is step-free level access at the entrance.
- There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
- The doors open by sliding.
- The width of the opening is 160cm.
- There is a second set of double automatic doors .
- The second set of doors open by sliding.
- The width of the opening is 127cm.
- There is step-free level access as you enter.
Reception
- The reception is located ahead as you enter.
- The journey time to this reception from the entrance is approximately 30 seconds.
- There is step-free level access to reception.
- The height of the reception desk is 121cm.
- There is a lowered section at the desk, however it is not at a suitable height for a wheelchair user .
- There is a portable hearing assistance system on request.
- There is background noise in this area.
Shop
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Getting Around
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- There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
- Access throughout may include narrow walkways.
- There is no (or very little) background noise.
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Payment
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- The checkout area is located at the reception desk.
Eating and Drinking (Stitchers Cafe)
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Location and Service
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- Stitchers Cafe is located to the left of reception as you enter.
- The most accessible route has step-free level access.
- This area has a counter where food and drink can be ordered.
- Menus are handheld, available on a board, displayed on the counter and available in large print.
- 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, takeaway cups and takeaway cutlery.
- There is a portable hearing assistance system on request.
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Order and Payment
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- The service counter was surveyed.
- The counter is located to the right as you enter the cafe.
- There is step-free level access to the counter.
- The height of the counter is 95cm.
- There is a lowered section at the counter, however it is not at a suitable height for a wheelchair user .
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Seating Area
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- There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
- There is some 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 and benches.
- Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
- There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
Lift
- The lift surveyed is located to the right of reception.
- The journey time to this lift from the entrance is approximately 1 minute.
- The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
- Floors 0 and 1 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.
- The majority of the internal controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
- Internally the lift has: a separate door to exit, a hearing assistance alarm system, a visual floor indicator, an audible announcer and a list of floor services/facilities.
Stairs
- The stairs surveyed are located to the left as you enter the building.
- Floors 0 and 1 can be accessed by these stairs.
- There are 20+ steps between floors which are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
Room (Makers Room)
- The room is located through the shop and to the right of the Discovery Centre.
- The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access and narrow walkways.
- There is written text signage on or near the door.
- There is step-free level access via lift into the room.
- There is a single manual door which opens away from you.
- The width of the opening is 89cm.
- There is step-free level access throughout the room.
- Furniture can be moved to enable a manoeuvring space for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
- There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
- Seating available in the room includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.
- Furniture available in the room includes: tables.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the function/event .
- Furniture and the layout in the room varies by event.
Room (Discovery Centre)
- The room is located through the shop and to the right.
- The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
- There is written text signage on or near the door.
- There is step-free level access into the room.
- There is a single manual door which opens away from you.
- The width of the opening is 90cm.
- There is step-free level access throughout the room.
- Furniture can be moved to enable a manoeuvring space for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
- There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
- Seating available in the room includes: chairs without armrests.
- Furniture available in the room includes: tables.
- There is a portable hearing assistance system on request.
- Additional facilities/services include: a television with subtitles.
- There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the function/event .
- Furniture and the layout vary by event.
Chairs with armrests are available on request.
Exhibition Space (Gallery 1420)
- 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).
- There is no (or very little) background noise.
- There is a portable hearing assistance system on request.
Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer)
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Location and Access
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- The toilet surveyed is located behind reception.
- The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
- 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 93cm.
- The door has a lever twist lock.
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Dimensions and Features
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- 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.
- The lateral transfer space is 140cm (from the side of the toilet pan to the wall).
- There is a spatula flush on the non-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 wall mounted toilet roll holder, a wash basin, a wall mounted 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 within 10cm from the floor.
- The cubicle has a waste bin.
- Additional features include: a mirror, a coat hook and a baby changing table.
- There is a coat hook at a height of 140cm.
The open baby table height is 74cm.
There is an additional right hand transfer toilet with adaptations, without baby change, to the left of this one.
Standard Toilet Facilities
- The gender inclusive toilet facilities were surveyed.
- The toilets are located behind reception.
- The most accessible route has step-free level access.
- There is step-free level access into the toilets.
- The door opens inwards.
- The width of the door opening is 80cm.
- There are no ambulant toilet facilities available.
- There is a wash basin, a wall mounted soap dispenser and a hand dryer available.
- The wash basin has a sensor tap.
Exhibition Space (Tapestry 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 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, interactive exhibits at a suitable height for a wheelchair user and a mobile app.
- There is a portable hearing assistance system on request.
- Seating available in this area includes: benches.