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SCOTTISH TOURIST BOARD UNASSISTED WHEELCHAIR ACCESS FOR VISITORS SCOTTISH TOURIST BOARD ASSISTED WHEELCHAIR ACCESS FOR VISITORS SCOTTISH TOURIST BOARD ACCESS FOR VISITORS WITH MOBILITY DIFFICULTIES Visitor Attractions Accessibility Criteria and Promotion

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SCOTTISH TOURIST BOARD

UNASSISTED WHEELCHAIR ACCESS FOR VISITORS

SCOTTISH TOURIST BOARD

ASSISTED WHEELCHAIR ACCESS FOR VISITORS

SCOTTISH TOURIST BOARD

ACCESS FOR VISITORS WITH MOBILITY DIFFICULTIES

Visitor Attractions Accessibility Criteria and Promotion

The Scheme

Providing for disabled people can extend your market significantly. Around nine million adults aged 16 and over in the UK have some form and degree of disability, from slight hearing impairment to extensive and multiple loss of abilities. A further 34 million disabled people live in the countries of the EC. All are increasingly able to travel and visit attractiions. Many are not tied to peak holiday periods by the demands of employment or school timetables and the real size of this market is greatly increased by the number of people who accompany disabled visitors.

We would also highlight the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (1995) to service providers, which requires that people with

disabilities be given equal opportunities to participate in economic, social, cultural and political activities.

Please note participation in this scheme does not guarantee compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act.

The three categories of accessibility, drawn up in close conjunction with specialist organisations concerned with advancing the needs of people with disabilities are:

To help open up the number of opportunities for disabled visitors to visit attractions,

VisitScotland in conjunction with VisitBritain and the Wales Tourist Board has introduced a national accessible inspection scheme that

identifies, acknowledges and promotes those visitor attractions that meet the needs

of visitors with disabilities.

SCOTTISH TOURIST BOARD

UNASSISTED WHEELCHAIR ACCESS FOR VISITORS

category 1

SCOTTISH TOURIST BOARD

ASSISTED WHEELCHAIR ACCESS FOR VISITORS

category 2

SCOTTISH TOURIST BOARD

ACCESS FOR VISITORS WITH MOBILITY DIFFICULTIES

category 3

The minimum requirements for each of the three categories are detailed within this booklet. However it should be emphasised that these are not necessarily recommended or ideal measurements. They should be regarded as minimum and should be exceeded wherever possible. If an access visit reveals that there are other aspects, not covered by the criteria, that prohibit access or present serious obstacles, VisitScotland reserves the right to withhold an access category, pending the situation being remedied.

Please note that VisitScotland’s Quality Assurance schemes are branded under Scottish Tourist Board.

PROmOTIONAL meThODS AND OPPORTUNITIeS

In order to convey meaningfully the levels of accessibility associated with the main features of any attraction, the UK Tourist Boards concluded that these could best be summarised in symbol form by eight generic categories. These are:

Parking and approach

Transport on Site Toilets

* Indoor Attractions

eating Places

* Outdoor Attractions Shops

Rides

By associating levels of accessibility with these broad categories in attractions’ publicity material it will be possible to accurately depict the overall accessibility of each main aspect.

* Includes entrance

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Major attraction with parking, toilets, eating and shopping facilities, on-site transport, indoor and outdoor attractions and rides.

Major attraction with parking, toilets, eating and shopping facilities, on-site transport, indoor and outdoor attractions and rides showing access categories.

It will be appropriate for attraction operators to have available further information which can be provided on request and which explains in some detail the location of those features and facilities which are accessible to the degree denoted by the symbol. This advice should follow the guidelins shown overleaf. A map or plan of the attraction and its grounds showing the location of routes and corresponding to the features and faciltilies depicted is particularly recommended.

GUIDeLINeS

PARKING AND APPROAch how many suitable, permanent parking spaces are provided and where are they located. Example: There are six designated spaces situated to the right entering the main car park and 50 metres from the Gatehouse. Wcs how many accessible Wcs are provided and where are these located in relation to other facilities and features. Example: There are two unisex toilet facilities fully accessible to wheelchair users. One situated at the Visitor Reception area and another adjacent to the third floor restaurant.

eATING PLAceS The location of accessible outlets should be clearly identified. Example: The main tearoom adjacent to the Gallery is accessible to a wheelchair user. Light meals are served from 9.30am to 6.00pm.

ShOPS The location of accessible outlets should be clearly identified. Example: The Crystal Shop, at the exit from the Glassblowing Gallery is open from 10.00am to 5.00pm and presents a range of gifts and souvenirs.

ON-SITe TRANSPORT If transport around the attraction is provided, details of its accessibility and possible charges should be included. Example: A free minibus service covers a circular route between the main gate and the Castle Precincts. Users must be able to board and occupy a passenger seat independently.

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INDOOR/OUTDOOR ATTRAcTIONS INcLUDING eNTRANceS Where access is limited, visitors should be directed to appropriate features. Example: The main museum building and the exhibition galleries, except the Tower Room, are accessible to wheelchair users. The Old Cottage is not accessible. Designated paths provide wheelchair access to much of the formal gardens. Observation platforms are not accessible.

RIDeS/AcTIVITIeS Rides and activities may not be accessible for a wheelchair user’s participation, but they may enjoy them as observers. Example: Most of the Leisure Park can be reached and observed via accessible routes. Wheelchair users can enter the Monorail, Lake Cruiser and Virtual Reality Experience. Excursion trains can carry two occupied wheelchairs. Use of portable ramps is necessary and advanced booking is advised.

Those visitor attractions meeting the criteria and achieving an accessibility category will be granted eligibility to display the appropriate access symbol within promotional literature and advertising placed in VisitScotland publications.

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ReQUIRemeNTS FOR cATeGORY 3

APPROAchA public entrance must be accessible to wheelchair users from either a setting down point or a carpark. Any such setting down point must have a firm, level surface regardless of whether there is a carpark or not.Where the attraction has a carpark but no setting down point, two dedicated carparking spaces plus one for every 50 spaces up to a maximum of 20 dedicated spaces should be provided. Dedicated spaces should be as close as possible to the entrance and not more than 100 metres from the entrance.All such dedicated spaces must be clearly signposted and marked using the international wheelchair symbol.The carpark surface of the dedicated spaces and the route to the nearest public entrance must be firm, sound and free from obstacles. Rough grass, deep gravel, cobbles and pot-holed surfaces are not acceptable.The route to the nearest entrance from the dedicated parking spaces must have no more than three steps at any point one point and no more than three per 50 metres. Steps should have risers no more than 19cm, treads no less than 25cm deep and 75cm wide. Where there are two or more steps, a handrail must be provided.Paths, where provided, must be not less than 75cm wide and passing places not less than 150cm x 150cm must be provided at intervals of not less than 25 metres.Slopes on the route must be no steeper than 1:12 at any one point and level resting places 150cm long must be provided at 10 metre intervals on paths or slopes which exceed 15 metres in length.

NB: Requirements 4,5,6 and 7 may be waived where a regular shuttle transport plies between the carpark and entrance, provided the transport has no more than three steps and is capable of carrying a folded wheelchair.

eNTRANceThe immediate approach to the entrance must include no more than three steps.Thresholds must not exceed 5cm and must be adequately tapered if they exceed 2cm.Where a ramp is present it should be no steeper than 1:12 with level resting places 150cm long at no more than 10 metre intervals. NB: For internal ramps 1:12 is the preferred gradient except for ramps less than 1.5 metres long, where 1:10 is acceptable. Any such ramp must be of solid construction and well maintained with a slip resistant surface.The entrance door or gate must have a clear opening of not less than 67cm.

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If the normal entrance is via a turnstile or kissing gate, an alternative nearby entrance with a clear opening of no less than 67cm must be available.

FAcILITIeS(Including WCs, Retail, Bars. If an attraction includes one or more of each of these facilities, at least one of each must be accessible). The route to each accessible facility must;

Have a firm, sound surface, free from obstacles.Contain no incline or ramp steeper than 1:12 except for internal ramps less than 1.5 metres long where 1:10 is acceptable. Level resting places 150cm long must be provided at no more than 10 metre intervals on paths or slopes which exceed 15 metres in length.Have no more than three steps at any point along the route or more than three steps in each 50 metres.Have corridors or paths (where present) not less than 75cm wide.Have no doors along the route with clean opening widths of less than 67cm or clear approaches less than 110cm deep.Have no more than three steps at the entrance. Where there are two or more steps a handrail must be provided.Where the route requires the use of a lift or lifts, their doors should have clear openings of not less than 67cm and internal dimensions of not less than 110cm deep by 70cm wide.

FeATUReS(The displays, exhibits, rides etc within an attraction). The route to the feature must;

Have a firm,sound surface, free from obstacles.Contain no incline or ramp steeper than 1:12 except for internal ramps less than 1.5 metres long where 1:10 is acceptable. Level resting places 150cm long must be provided at no more than 10 metre intervals on paths or slopes which exceed 15 metres in length.Have no more than three steps at any point along the route or more than three steps in each 50 metres.Have corridors or paths (where present) not less than 75 cm wide.Have no doors along the route or at the entrance with clear opening widths of less than 67cm or clear approaches less than 110cm deep.Have no more than three steps at the entrance. Where there are two or more steps, a handrail must be provided.Where the route requires the use of a lift or lifts, their doors should have clear openings of not less than 67cm and internal dimensions of not less than 110cm deep by 70cm wide.

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Access for Visitors with mobility Difficulties

ReQUIRemeNTS FOR cATeGORY 2

All the requirements for Category 3 with additions and amendments as below:

APPROAchThe route to the entrance from the dedicated parking spaces must be no more than 100 metres and must have no more than single steps at any one point and no more than three such steps per 50 metres. Steps may have risers no more than 19cm, treads no less than 120cm deep and 75cm wide. There must be a clear space not less than 360cm between each step.Paths, where provided, must be not less than 90cm wide and passing places not less than 150cm x 150cm must be provided at intervals of not less than 25 metres.

NB: Category 3 waiver applies, provided the vehicle has a wheelchair lift.

eNTRANce

The immediate approach to the entrance must consist of no more than three single steps with a minimum space of 120cm between each step.Where a ramp is present it must be no steeper than 1:12. The steeper gradient of 1:10 for internal ramps less than 1.5 metres long is not acceptable.

FAcILITIeS

The route to each accessible facility must have no more than single steps at any one point with a minimum space of 120cm between each step and no more than three steps in each 50 metres.The route to each accessible facility must contain no incline or ramp steeper than 1:12. The steeper gradient of 1:10 for internal ramps less than 1.5 metres long is not acceptable.The route to each accessible facility must have corridors or paths (where present) not less than 90cm wide.If the attraction contains only one WC, it must be an accessible unisex facility.If the attraction contains more than one WC facility, at least 50% of those on Category 2 access routes must be an accessible unisex WC facility.Within the accessible WC; a) There must be no more than a single step at the entrance. b) The entrance must not be locked and must have a clear opening width of not less than 75cm and a clear approach of not less 120cm deep.

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c) There must be unobstructed interior space of not less than 110cm x 70cm. d) There must be a lateral transfer space to the WC of not less than 80cm. e) The rim of the WC seat must be between 45 and 50cm above the floor. f) A toilet paper dispenser must be within easy reach of the WC. g) There must be a horizontal support rail 65 to 75cm above the floor on the wall opposite the transfer space and positioned between 40 and 50 cm from the centre of the seat. h) A hinged support rail must be located on the transfer side. i) There must be a washbasin within the WC with clear underspace to allow access to a wheelchair user. j) A soap dispenser must be located within reach of a wheelchair user at the washbasin. k) A hand dryer and/or paper towel dispenser must be within reach of a wheelchair user at the washbasin. l) A light switch must not be more than 140cm above the floor.Within the accessible catering outlet and/or bar; a) There must be no more than a single step at the entrance. b) The entrance must have a clear opening width not less than 75cm and a clear approach not less than 120cm deep. c) There must be at least two plus one in 10 accessible tables with a clear underspace at least 70cm high, 60cm wide by 45cm deep.Within the accessible shop; a) There must be no more than a single step at the entrance. b) The entrance must have a clear opening width not less than 75cm and a clear approach not less than 120cm deep. c) Where there are aisles they must be at least 90cm wide.

FeATUReSAll the requirements for Category 3 with additions and amendments as below:

There should be no more than single steps at any one point with a minimum space of 120cm between each step.The route to each accessible feature must contain no incline or ramp steeper than 1:12. The steeper gradient of 1:10 for internal ramps less than 1.5 metres in length is not acceptable.There should be no corridors or paths (where present) less than 90cm wide.

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Assisted Wheelchair Access for Visitors

ReQUIRemeNTS FOR cATeGORY 1

All the requirements for Category 2 with additions and amendments as below:

APPROAchIf there is no general public car park, there must be at least two dedicated parking spaces, each with a minimum width of 360cm, capable of being reserved in advance.

If there is a car park, the dedicated spaces must each have a minimum width of 360cm (which may include wheelchair transfer space shared with an adjoining dedicated space).

The route to the entrance must include no steps and must not be steeper than 1:15. Long slopes must have level resting places 150cm long at no more than 10 metre intervals.

NB: Category 2 waiver applies.

eNTRANceThe immediate approach to the entrance must be level or ramped with a gradient not exceeding 1:15 and with a level landing 120cm deep clear of any door swing, and with level resting places 150cm long at no more than 10 metre intervals.

Thresholds must not exceed 2cm.

FAcILITIeS

The route to each accessible facility must be level or ramped with gradients not exceeding 1:15.

Where an attraction contains more than one WC facility, all those located on Category 1 accessible routes must contain an accessible unisex facility.

All such accessible WC facilities must be unisex and conform to Part T Building Regulations (Scotland). Door widths must provide a clear opening width of 80cm.

Where the route requires the use of a lift or lifts, their doors must have clear opening widths of not less than 75cm and internal dimensions not less than 140cm deep by 110cm wide. Controls for the lift must not be more than 140cm above the floor or landing.

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FeATUReS All the requirements for Category 2 with additions and amendments as below.

The route to each accessible feature must be level or ramped with gradients not exceeding 1:15.

Where the route requires the use of a lift or lifts, their doors must have clear opening widths of not less than 75cm and internal dimensions not less than 140cm deep by 110cm wide. Controls for the lift must not be more than 140cm above the floor or landing.

Entrances and interiors of accessible features must be level or ramped with gradients not exceeding 1:15 and thresholds must be no higher than 2cm.

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Unassisted Wheelchair Access for Visitors

Quality & Standards, VisitScotland, Thistle House, Beechwood Park North, Inverness IV2 3EDTel: 01463 723040 Fax: 01463 717244 E-mail: [email protected]