Do you have a tip for accessible days out?

Chris_Alumni

Today is Disabled Access Day, and the community team is currently putting together a page of tips about accessible days out. We'll be sharing some expert tips, but we also want it to be driven by the community's own experiences and collective knowledge. So on that note, we need YOUR tips for accessible days out!

Do you know of an attraction or landmark that's particularly accessible? Are there any websites you frequently visit to find accessible places and events? Do you have any 'hacks' for making a day out more accessible?

Whatever you know, we'd like you to share it, so the whole community can benefit. Give us your tips for accessible days out by commenting below.

Alex

Museums are now doing lots more to make themselves accessible to children and young people with autism. Here's a selection (taken from this guide):

Sensory packs at V&A
Pre-visit information and a chill out space at Eureka, Halifax
Early bird, night owl events and visual stories at Science Museum,
London Early opening and hands on activities at Manchester Museum
Monthly relaxed visits at The Story Museum, Oxford
Regular events at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, London
A visual story from Farnham Museum, Farnham

Blue Frog

We always check http://www.changing-places.org/ and https://www.euansguide.com/ for ideas of where to go

The biggest issue for us is finding accessible toilets.  But, there do seem to be quite a few places that are installing them now We are very excited about the one at The Etihad. There is also a great loo at Manchester Town Hall, right next to a tram stop so you can use it when visiting all sorts of places, and the trams themselves are very acc

The Nova Centre in Prestatyn has the most awesomely accessible pool I have come across. 

Our best hack for going out, was getting tinted windows on my daughter's mobility van and asking the converters to keep the original back seat so we can fold it down to change her on, not ideal but better than a dirty floor. 

Alex

@grahamfindlay emailed me about the Tate, who offer out of hours access for disabled visitors. Unfortunately, their next one for David Hockney has already sold out  but it looks like they often hold them for new exhibitions and also have special days with BSL and touch tours:
http://www.tate.org.uk/search?q=disabled+access&type=event

Graham_Scope

Do you find queuing difficult or challenging? Picking up on Alex's post, quite a few attractions - LEGOLAND, for example -  offer a fast track system for popular rides where queues can be long. You'll need to bring proof of eligibility/disability/impairment - usually a Blue Badge or  proof of entitlement to disability benefits but in LEGOLAND's case a GP letter would be necessary.

This kind of scheme is really helpful for young people or children with autism, for example, when queuing for a long time can be a bit of a nightmare. It's worth checking with any attraction to see if they have a similar offer, or concessions available. See:  https://www.legoland.co.uk/planning-your-visit/guests-with-disabilities/

Sam_Alumni

If you are a festival goer, get in touch with them beforehand to gain access to the accessible viewing area, camping, toilets etc.  Most will also give a free ticket for a carer too.

The brilliant Kelly Perks Bevington wrote about her festival experiences in Liability magazine.