Access Guide
Summary
- Amenities at this site include: a reception, exhibition rooms and a museum.
- There is onsite parking available here with designated Blue Badge parking.
- The most accessible entrance has manual doors, steps and a steep ramp/slope.
- This does include the main entrance.
- The entrance surveyed is the main entrance at the front of the building.
- The building has 1 floor once inside.
- There is step free access once inside.
- There is a member of staff available for help and assistance.
- This venue also has the following available: seating, audio format information, a hearing assistance system which is not signed and a companion/carer discount.
- The sensory pack includes: fidget toys, binoculars, activity sheets and soft toy. For more information about reserving a pack, and any charges, please contact the venue before your visit.
- The following mobility aids are available to borrow: a wheelchair. For more information on any hire fees or booking requirements, please contact the venue.
- At the time of our visit the hearing assistance system was working.
- Toilet and changing facilities available include: a toilet with some adaptations for disabled people and standard toilets.
- There is/are 2 toilet(s) designated as accessible.
- The accessible toilet surveyed can be found to the rear left of the venue.
- This accessible toilet surveyed is approximately 15m from the main entrance.
- The standard toilets can be found on the ground floor.
- The standard toilets surveyed can be found to the rear left of the venue.
Parking
- This venue has a car park.
- This is an open air car park with a tarmac surface.
- Parking is free for all users.
- There are 3 Blue Badge parking bays.
- The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 250cm x 480cm.
- There is a hatched zone on one side and to the rear.
- The hatched zone is under 120cm wide.
- The nearest Blue Badge bay is 5m from the main entrance.
- There is not a designated drop-off point.
Public Transport
- There is a bus stop within approximately 150m of the venue.
- Bus stops are located nearby on St Mary's Street.
- The nearest train station is Dumfries.
- Dumfries Railway Station is approximately 27 miles away.
Entrance (Main Entrance)
- There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
- The portable ramp a steep gradient and a width less than 75cm .
- The ramp does not have handrails.
- There are 2 steps.
- The steps are not clearly marked and there are no handrails.
- The ramp overcomes the steps.
- There are double manual doors which are permanently held open.
- The width of the opening is 118cm.
- There is a second set of doors.
- There are double manual doors which open towards you.
- The width of the opening is 152cm.
- There is also an automatic door with an easy slope (or single step) to the rear of this building.
Reception
- There is step-free level access to this reception.
- The height of the reception counter is 78cm.
- Lighting levels are low at this reception.
- There is background noise here.
- There is a touch screen.
- The counter does not have a hearing assistance system.
Getting Around
- There is step-free level access throughout the majority of the venue.
- There are stools throughout the building.
- Some flooring in the area is smooth and even.
- Lighting levels are low in some areas.
- There is background noise here.
- The building has a hearing assistance system which is not signed.
Attraction / Exhibit
- The majority of walkways are 150cm+ wide.
- There is background noise here.
- The following may be experienced on the tour: interactive video effects.
- Exhibit information includes the following formats: audio guides, information board, touchscreens and interactive exhibits at a recommended height for wheelchair users (between 75cm - 120cm).
- The area does not have a hearing assistance system.
- There are stools in this area.
- All flooring in the area is smooth and even.
- Lighting levels are low in some areas.
Cinema (Planetarium)
- The cinema has 1 screens.
- All screens have step-free level access.
- The cinema shows educational films.
- Some content may cause motion sickness.
- Designated seating is available at the back, at the front and in the middle.
- Where the flooring is not smooth or even, it is due to carpet.
- The cinema offers an unsigned hearing assistance system, free carer tickets with the CEA card and relaxed or autism friendly screenings.
- All seating can be removed.
There is seating to the rear which helps reduce motion sickness. Scenes known to cause motion sickness can be shown more slowly to reduce the effect.
Angled seating facing the projection is available.
Accessible Toilet (Right Hand Transfer)
- There is step-free level access into the accessible toilet.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
- There is a manual door which opens outwards and has a good colour contrast.
- The door has a lever twist lock.
- The width of the accessible toilet door opening is 89cm.
- The dimensions of the cubicle are 150cm x 226cm and it does not have a 150cm x 150cm turning space.
- There is a lateral transfer space to the right of the toilet seat.
- The lateral transfer space is 75cm from the side of the toilet pan to the wall.
- There is a spatula flush on the transfer side.
- The following grab rails are available: a vertical grab rail on the transfer side, vertical grab rails on both sides of the wash basin, a horizontal grab rail on the door and a horizontal grab rail on the non transfer side.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- The following fixtures can be reached from the toilet seat: the toilet roll holder and the wash basin.
- The following fixtures cannot be reached from the toilet seat: the soap dispenser, towel dispenser and hand dryer.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm.
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 80cm.
- The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
- The height of the wash basin is 73cm.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 90cm.
- The height of the towel dispenser is 110cm.
- The height of the hand dryer is 100cm.
- The height of the baby change is 90cm.
- There is a pull cord emergency alarm at a recommended height for seated users (within 10cm from the floor).
- There is not a shelf.
- The cubicle does not have a full length mirror and coat hooks.
- The cubicle also has: a waste bin without lid.
- The following have a good colour contrast with their surroundings: the internal door and the floor.
- The following have a less clear colour contrast with their surroundings: the toilet seat, the dropdown rail and all grab rails.
Standard Toilet(s)
- There is step-free level access into the toilet(s).
- There is a manual door which opens inwards and has a high colour contrast.
- The male and female standard toilets were surveyed.
- The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.