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Bedlam Theatre

The University of Edinburgh, Central Area, 11 Bristo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 1EZ

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free.
  • Bedlam Theatre has two entrances. The Accessible Entrance provides step-free level access to the theatre. The Main Entrance has a stepped entrance to the Box Office lowered area of the ground floor.
    There are manual double doors at both entrances.
  • The entrances are signed as Accessible Entrance and Main Entrance.
  • The Accessible Entrance provides step-free access via slope to the theatre on the ground floor.
  • The Main Entrance is located on the junction of Forrest Road and Bistro Place and has stepped access.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of the building.
  • There are 2 steps to the lower Box Office area at the front of the building near the Main Entrance.
  • There are 5 steps down to the toilets from the raised rear seating in the theatre.
    Alternatively there is step-free level access via the rear of the building from the front seating.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth, with some having a shiny finish.
  • There no resting areas in the circulation corridors, although the routes pass through the seated theatre and the café which offer seating.
  • Wall mounted wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building.
  • There are manual doors along circulation routes throughout the building.
    Please note the fire evacuation strategy for this building relies on the ability to self-transfer in to an evacuation chair.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located within the standard toilets, through to the left of the building from the Accessible Entrance to the theatre.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • The male and female step-free toilet facilities are located through to the left of the building from the Accessible Entrance to the theatre.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the toilets.

Parking

  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
  • On-street Parking View
    • The on-street designated Blue Badge parking bays are located Chambers Street.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked and signposted.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is a public car park located off Simpson Loan.
    • The name of the car park is Q-Park Quartermile.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available in the car park.

Entrance (Accessible)

  • This entrance is located to the rear right side of the building.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a steep gradient.
  • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with a handrail on the right going up.
  • The ramp bypasses the steps.
  • There are 8 steps with handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are not easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The steps are unmarked.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 15cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is a bell at a height of 110cm.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance.
  • The doors are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 80cm.
  • The doors have a medium visual contrast.
  • There is a second set of double manual doors .
  • The second set of doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 90cm.
  • The second set of doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Counter (Box Office)

  • The counter is located at the front of the building, near the Main Entrance.
  • The distance from the Accessible Entrance is 30m.
  • The most accessible route to the counter has manual doors and narrow walkways.
  • There is stepped access to the counter.
  • There are 2 steps with no handrails.
  • The steps are clearly marked.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • The height of the counter is 113cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
  • The counter has patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • There is a clearly signed portable hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system could not be tested at the time of the survey.
  • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the function/event .
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Exhibition Space (Theatre)

  • This area is indoors.
  • There is not step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • The following areas have stepped access: seating in the rear rows.
  • Access throughout may include narrow walkways.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • The walls and floor have a low visual contrast.
  • The following may be experienced here: smoke, fog, or misting effects, strobe or flashing lights, sudden loud noises and lighting effects.
  • There is background noise.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • Lighting levels are adjustable.
  • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system could not be tested at the time of the survey.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests.
  • Some chairs are fixed.
  • There are shows/talks with designated seating for wheelchair users.

Eating and Drinking (Fat Cat Café)

  • Location and Service View
    • The café is located to the rear side of the theatre from the Accessible Entrance.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access, manual doors and narrow walkways.
    • This area has a bar where drinks can be ordered.
    • Full table service is available.
    • Menus are available on a board.
    • The following are available: drinking straws and takeaway cups.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Order and Payment View
    • The bar was surveyed.
    • The counter is located opposite the seating.
    • There is step-free level access to the counter.
    • The height of the counter is 110cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
    • The counter has windows and glazed screens which may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
  • Seating Area View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
    • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests, benches and stools.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
    • Some chairs are fixed.
    • There may be background noise in this area.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located within the standard toilets (left door).
    • The distance from the Accessible Entrance is 45m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access, manual doors and narrow walkways.
    • 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 and has a medium visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 94cm.
    • The door has a sliding bolt lock.
    • Internally the door has a medium visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a medium visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 160cm (width) x 156cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 100cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever flush on the non-transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a medium visual contrast.
    • There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The vertical grab rails have a medium visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a medium visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 44cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a medium visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 103cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 86cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a push tap.
    • There are no vertical grab rails at the wash basin.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 136cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 133cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is no emergency alarm.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 169cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
    • The details for the sink, soap dispenser, towel dispenser and mirror are outside the accessible toilet cubicle, shared with the standard toilet. There is a similar cubicle in the adjacent standard toilets (right door) offering alternative transfer space.