Access Statement for Thinktank April 2015

Transcription

1 1 Access Statement for Thinktank April 2015

2 2 Introduction Thinktank, Birmingham's award winning science museum, offers an enlightening and fun packed day out for the family. From steam engines and talking robots through to gurgling guts and a chocolate wrapping machine, Thinktank has over 300 hands-on displays on science and technology. Housed inside the impressive Millennium Point building, at Thinktank you will find four floors of hands-on exhibits and historical collections that will amaze and inspire you, showing you the science of the world all around us. Including the Science Garden, Planetarium and an exciting programme of events and activities, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Both Thinktank and Millennium Point are fully accessible for visitors with mobility difficulties; there are central lifts to all the floors. Wheelchairs are available to borrow and space is available in all areas. There are accessible toilets on all levels and baby change and adult change facilities are available. Large print maps are available from our ticket desk on Level 2. Assistance Dogs are very welcome and a water bowl is available for use. Fixed induction loops are placed at key points in the museum and portable ones are available to borrow. We have a downloadable social story which uses images and easy read English to provide an overview of a visit. This is available via our website: We look forward to welcoming you. If you have any queries or require any assistance please phone or findout@birminghammuseums.org.uk

3 3 Pre-Arrival Thinktank is housed within Millennium Point, a large publicly accessible building, located next to the City Centre, a 10 minute walk from the Bull Ring and Moor Street Station. It is a downhill walk and then a flat approach to Millennium Point from these landmarks. By Bus Frequent Bus routes operate from the Jennens Road side of the building into and from the City Centre. Bus Numbers 94, 55, 55a, 72, 70 & 14, operated by National Express West Midlands, all serve Millennium Point. The bus stops in the City Centre operate from Priory Queensway. From the bus stops, it is a 5 minute walk to the museum either via Jennens Road or from Eastside City Park leading onto Curzon Street. If returning to the city centre by Bus, there is sheltered seating within the bus stop shelters. More information about the accessibility of the bus service can be found via the National Express website: /DisabilityandAccessibilityPolicyApril2015.pdf By Rail The nearest train station is Moor Street station (10 mins walk away). Turn right upon leaving Moor St Station, just before Hotel La Tour, veer right to enter the City Park. Walk through the Park, past the Science Garden and in through the entrance of Millennium Point. New Street Station (15 mins walk away). Due to the redevelopment of Birmingham New Street station, changes have been made to the entrance/exit points. From New Street Station follow clear signage to Moor Street Station (approx 5 minute walk) then follow directions above. There are taxi ranks both at Moor Street and New Street stations. Please refer to the National Rail website for train times & fares.

4 4 By Bicycle Thinktank is situated within Millennium Point and located in Digbeth. For Google Maps and Sat Nav use postcode B4 7AP. Bike racks can be found on the north side, Jennens Road, and south side, Curzon Street. By Road Thinktank is situated within Millennium Point and located in Digbeth. A Birmingham City Council multi-storey car park is situated next to Millennium Point (charges apply) and the entrance is situated off Jennens Road. Blue Badge holders can park for free. For Google Maps and Sat Nav use postcode B4 7AP. Just minutes from Birmingham City Center and The Bullring, the nearest motorways are the M6, M5 and M42. Car Parking and arrival Birmingham City Council operates a multi-storey car park located on Jennens Road. Blue Badge holders can park for free

5 5 The maximum height restriction for the car park is 2.1 metres There are 20 blue badge bays within the car park The surface of the multi-storey car park is concrete and the car park is well lit

6 6 Entrance to Millennium Point Entrance into the building can be via level 0, 1 or 2. From the multi-storey car park there is level access from Level 2

7 7 Main Entrance to Thinktank, Reception and Ticketing Area Tickets can be purchased at the main entrance to the museum at the Thinktank ticket desk. - All staff wear branded Birmingham Museum Trust uniform

8 8 The ticket desk is wheelchair accessible; the entire counter is at the same height at 37 inches/ 94 cm Fixed induction loops are situated at the ticket desk Concessionary rate tickets are available Visitors are provided with a coloured branded wristband as proof of purchase Concessionary ticket Policy To be eligible for the concessionary ticket rate, you must receive one or more of the following: Disability Living Allowance Personal Independence Payment Job Seekers Allowance Employment and Support Allowance Income Support Council Tax Support Housing Benefit or be one of the following: Full time student Over 60 Please note that BMT reserves the right to ask for evidence of status or receipt of benefits before issuing any such concessionary tickets. Evidence could be proof of age documentation, valid student ID or official documentation showing benefit receipt. Personal Assistants Thinktank welcomes personal assistants with those visitors that require them. Currently, we will permit one personal assistant free entry to the museum to accompany those in receipt of Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment. For those persons that may require multiple personal assistants, prior arrangements must be made with the Museum Manager or equivalent and written evidence of this requirement may be asked for before entry is permitted. Due to our adherence to health and safety guidelines, we cannot allow anyone under the age of 16 years to be a personal assistant to another person.

9 9 Additional resources We have a variety of resources available for visitors to use during their visit including wheelchairs, portable induction loops, large print maps and guides and large magnifying glasses. These are available from the Thinktank ticket desk on level 2. Large print map and large magnifying glasses Portable induction loops

10 10 Lifts and stairs The building has stairs and fully accessible lifts to every floor.

11 11 Advice to visitors affected by photosensitive epilepsy Persons affected are sensitive to flash rates around Hz but some seizures may be triggered at rates as low as 3Hz and up to 60Hz. This is sometimes known as flicker sensitive epilepsy. Some of our displays fall within this range. The areas you may need to take extra care or avoid are: Level 2 Medicine Matters: all areas. Things About Me. Satellite TV display. Take particular care when viewing the four large monitors. Level 0 Rapidly rotating flywheel on the high speed Hovis engine when seen against a bright e.g sunlit background and should be avoided: try another viewpoint. Planetarium There are 2 types of planetarium show: 1) Automated which operate at 30hz and 2) all other shows which operate at 60hz by projection onto a screen. All content is quite slow moving and flash free except Roller Coaster on Triton. Some visitors can suffer from a form of travel sickness owing to the movement of the visuals, but the planetarium should not trigger epilepsy.

12 12 Attractions Thinktank covers four floors and includes an outdoor science garden area. There are 12 individual gallery spaces looking at science of the past, the present and the future. There is no set route around the museum and visitors are free to explore as they wish. Visitors are also able to leave the site and return on the same day if required. The museum houses over 300 interactive exhibits and hundreds of objects from our Science and Industry collection. Seating is available within all 12 galleries including directly outside the main entrance and within our Science Garden Lighting levels are low in the museum and it is provided by ceiling spot lights. The floor surface of the museum is smooth, plastic coated and non-slip. The surface of the science garden can be slippery when wet. Level 3 Futures Gallery The Futures Gallery is about what we think technology may be like in the future, with a particular focus on medicine and robotics. There is also a section about space travel and exploration.

13 13 Planetarium Level 3 The Thinktank Planetarium offers a wide range of shows about astronomy and space, including tours around the night sky, adventures around the solar system, and journeying to the edge of the universe. Tickets for the Planetarium are 1.00 per person. Tickets are available at the Thinktank ticket desk The Planetarium can accommodate a maximum of six wheelchair users A British Sign Language interpreted show and a subtitled show are available on request Tactile books have been created to be used within selected Planetarium shows There is a fixed induction loop within the Planetarium.

14 14 Level 2 The Street and Recycling Galleries This is an area all about the science and technology of the street and your home. Level 2 Wildlife Gallery The Wildlife gallery showcases biodiversity and how plants and animals have adapted to where they live. There are lots of natural history specimens and animals from the past which are now preserved as fossils.

15 15 Level 2 Medicine Matters Gallery Medicine Matters explores different aspects of modern medicine, including surgery, genetics, the brain, public health and immunology. Videos within this gallery include subtitles Level 2 Kids City Gallery Kids City is an area specifically designed for under 7s, where children are able to learn through play. Children of all ages are able to use the area with supervision.

16 16 Level 2 Things About Me Gallery The Things About Me Gallery is all about the human body. Level 1 Spitfire Gallery The gallery tells the story of the Spitfire, from its innovative design and cutting-edge technology that played a key role in the Second World War, to its lasting legacy on the city of Birmingham.

17 17 Level 1 We Made It Gallery We Made It features more than 20 interactive exhibits that show just how and why Birmingham became known as the workshop of the world. Visitors are taken on a journey from raw materials to finished product, demonstrating how everyday goods are produced. Braille has been incorporated where possible next to tactile elements on display.

18 18 Level 0 - Power Up Gallery Power Up showcases the evolution of power, from the Smethwick Engine which is the oldest working steam engine in the world, to information about modern electrical power station. Please note that at regular intervals a large crashing sound will be heard within this gallery as a large volume of water falls from one of the exhibits.

19 19 Level 0 Move It Gallery Move It is all about transport and different modes of transport. Objects in this area include a steam locomotive, a tram and lots of cars and bikes. The Railton video within this gallery includes subtitles.

20 20 Science Garden Level 0 The Science Garden is an outdoor discovery space packed with surprises and fun activities for the whole family. It offers an adventurous and entertaining day out, bringing themes of engineering, mechanics and transportation to life through over 30 hands-on exhibits.

21 21 Public Toilets There are accessible toilets on all floors in the museum. We also have baby changing and adult changing facilities. We also have separate male and female toilets on every floor. Accessible toilet and adult changing facility The width of the door is 36.5 inches/ 93 cm

22 22 There is clear space for wheelchairs. Height of WC from floor to seat is 18 inches/ 46 cm. There are also grab rails. There are emergency pulls in all of the accessible toilets. We use a red light + tannoy system in the event of going into evacuation. Flourescent lighting is used. Non-slip laminate flooring Lever taps are in the accessible toilets and sensor taps in all public toilets.

23 23 Thinktank Café and Coffee Cart Level 0 At weekends and during school holidays the Thinktank Café is open between 10:30am and 4:30 pm. Monday to Friday during term time we have a Coffee Cart open within our lunch area which is open between 11:30 am and 2:30 pm There is level access to Thinktank Café and Coffee Cart There are ceiling spot lights in the lunch area, it can be slightly dark in the main cafe area; it is brighter in the lunch area. Both facilities cater for varying dietary needs a large print menu is available on request. It is a self-service cafe, with assistance available on request. Crockery is white, tables are grey or brown. Thinktank Café Height under tables in cafe area is 29.5 inches/ 75 cm.

24 24 In the Coffee Cart area there are fixed seats as well as spaces at tables for wheelchair users. The height of the tables is 28.5 inches/ 73 cm

25 25 Shop Level 2 The Thinktank Gift Shop is located on level 2 of the museum. The shop offers wonderful souvenirs of your visit to Thinktank as well as some inspiring presents for special occasions. The museum shop is open 10:00 am 5:00 pm daily and is available to nonmuseum visitors. There are no doors and it is very open plan and fully accessible. Counter is 37 inches/ 94 cm high. Displays and tables are at various heights. Assistance is available at all times. There is no background music. There is a fixed hearing loop at the counter.

26 26 Additional Information All staff are provided with disability and diversity training Evacuation sheet is not available but all staff are trained to assist visitors in the event of a site evacuation. Wheelchair users will be evacuated as soon as possible in the event of an evacuation. We do not have any facilities for charging wheelchairs or mobility scooters. There are many hotels in Birmingham City Centre, the nearest being Hotel La Tour. This hotel provides accessible accommodation and more information about their offer is available via their website; TOA Taxis provide an accessible Taxi service across Birmingham including Thinktank and Millennium Point. More information is available via their website; Future Plans We are looking to expand our resources for international visitors We are looking to expand subtitles on audio exhibits Contact Information Address (Inc postcode): Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum Millennium Point Curzon Street Birmingham B4 7XG Telephone: Minicom: n/a

27 27 Website: Grid Reference: Lat & Long Hours Of Operation: 7 days a week - 10am until 5pm, last entry at 4pm