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Manchester Museum

The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free and level.
  • Manchester Museum has one entrance, this is via a ramp that bypasses steps.
    There are automatic doors at this entrance which are permanently held open.
  • The main entrance is not named (signed as Manchester Museum).

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of the building on all floors.
  • On the ground floor there is a slight ramp to access the Fossils and Dinosaur Exhibition.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth, with some having a shiny finish.
  • There are resting areas in some circulation and lobby areas with a mixture of seating.
  • Wall mounted wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located on Floor G, ahead from the Coffee Bar.
    • All toilets with adaptations have a left hand transfer space.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located in the female standard toilets on Floor B.
    • The male and female toilet facilities are located on Floor B, G, 1, and 2.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • The Changing Places toilet facilities are located on Floor G.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is 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 slight gradient.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide with a handrail on the left going up.
  • The ramp bypasses the steps.
  • There are 4 steps with handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The steps are clearly marked.
  • The steps have tactile markings at the bottom.
  • 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.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 223cm.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.

Reception

  • The reception is located to the left of the entrance.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 5m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 110cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 73cm.
  • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests and sofas.

Lift (Floor B to 2)

  • The lift surveyed is located to the rear of the coffee bar.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 30m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • Floors B, G, 1 and 2 are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a high visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 110cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 119cm (width) x 210cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have Braille markings, a medium visual contrast and tactile markings.
  • The majority of the internal controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a visual floor indicator, an audible announcer and a list of floor services/facilities.

Lift (Floor B to 3)

  • The lift surveyed is located at the start of the fossils and dinosaurs exhibit.
  • The distance from Lift (Floor B to 2) is 100m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and a lift.
  • Floors B, G, 1, 2 and 3 are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a high visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 109cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 158cm (width) x 161cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings.
  • The majority of the internal controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a visual floor indicator, an audible announcer and a list of floor services/facilities.

Stairs (Floor B to G)

  • The stairs surveyed are located at the rear of the coffee bar.
  • Floors B and G can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 18cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.

Stairs (Floor G to 1)

  • The stairs surveyed are located ahead from the shop.
  • Floor G and 1 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are 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 height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.

Stairs (Floor 1 to 3)

  • The stairs surveyed are located at the back of the Living Nature exhibition.
  • Floors 1, 2 and 3 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have a handrail on the left going up.
  • The handrail is 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 height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • The steps have open risers.
  • Lighting levels are adjustable.

Toilet with Adaptations (Level G - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the right of the Coffee Bar.
    • The distance from main entrance is 40m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • 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 high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 90cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 178cm (width) x 410cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 114cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a push button flush for the toilet.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 46cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet has a padded backrest.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 96cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 76cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 88cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 80cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm but it was tied up at the time of the survey.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 160cm from the floor.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 82cm.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.

Changing Places

  • Location and Access View
    • The Changing Places facility surveyed is located to the right of the Coffee Bar.
    • The Changing Places toilet is in addition to other toilet facilities.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 40m.
    • The most accessible route to the Changing Places facility has step-free level access.
    • 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 automatically via a push pad and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 80cm.
    • The door has a push pad lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
    • The dimensions of the facility are 327cm (width) x 404cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (180cm x 180cm).
  • Toilet Details View
    • There is lateral transfer space on both sides of the toilet, however they are obstructed.
    • The transfer space on the right as you face the toilet is 80cm.
    • The transfer space on the left as you face the toilet is 214cm.
    • There is a spatula flush on the transfer side.
    • There is no horizontal grab rail for the toilet.
    • There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The vertical grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There are dropdown rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The dropdown rails have a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 49cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder has a medium visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 80cm from the floor.
  • Changing Bench and Hoist Details View
    • The changing bench is wall mounted and height adjustable.
    • The length of the changing bench is 181cm.
    • The facility hoist is powered overhead and accesses all areas.
  • Shower Details View
    • There is an adjustable shower head which can also be detached.
    • The shower controls are twist turn mixer.
    • There is no shower seat.
  • Other Facilities View
    • There is a height adjustable wash basin.
    • The wash basin has a lever tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a bar of soap.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 90cm from the floor.
    • A wide paper roll dispenser is not available.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 80cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm but it was tied up at the time of the survey.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The facility has a waste bin, a sanitary bin and a pedal bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 160cm from the floor.
    • A privacy screen is available.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.