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Whitworth Art Gallery

The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6ER

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free.
  • The step-free approach is from Whitworth Park/Denmark Street. There is stepped/sloped access on the approach from Oxford Road.
  • Whitworth Art Gallery has two entrances, one entrance provides step-free level access (accessible entrance).
    There are automatic doors at both entrances.
  • The main entrance is signed with the building name. The accessible entrance is not signed.
  • The main entrance provides ramped/stepped access.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access on all floors.
  • There is a slight slope in the corridor between the shop and the gallery. There is ramp/stepped access to exhibition areas in Gallery 2 and 5.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth, with some having a shiny finish.
  • There are resting areas in some circulation areas with a mixture of seating.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided in circulation routes to assist people in finding their way round.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 3 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on the lower ground and ground floors.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located in the gender neutral toilets on the lower ground floor and in the male and female toilets on the ground floor.
    • The male and female toilet facilities are located on the ground floor..
    • The gender inclusive toilet facilities are located on the lower ground floor..
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located on the lower ground floor and ground floor.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Parking

  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
  • On-street Parking View
    • On-street designated Blue Badge parking and standard parking is available .
    • The on-street designated Blue Badge parking bays are located on Denmark Road.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.

Entrance (Accessible)

  • This entrance is located at the rear of the building.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 115cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors .
  • The second set of doors are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 119cm.
  • The second set of doors have a low visual contrast.

Reception (Parkside)

  • The reception is located on the lower ground floor ahead as you enter through the accessible entrance.
  • The distance from the accessible entrance is 6m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 75cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
  • The reception has windows.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • 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: benches.
  • The chairs are fixed.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located on the left as you enter through the accessible entrance.
  • The distance from the accessible entrance is 12m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The lower ground and ground floors are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a low 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 and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 180cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 210cm (width) x 348cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • The lift at the front left of the building gives access to the Lower Ground floor on the left side of the building, Ground Floor and First floor.
    The lift in the middle of the building gives access to the Ground floor and the Mezzanine. This lift has a hearing loop.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located in the middle of the Gallery.
  • The ground and mezzanine floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have a handrail on the right going up.
  • The handrail is easy to grip.
  • The handrail covers the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrail does 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.

Toilet with Adaptations (Lower Ground Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the lower ground floor, within the gender neutral standard toilets.
    • The distance from the accessible entrance is 25m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a low visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 95cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a low visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 220cm (width) x 205cm (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 151cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the transfer side.
    • 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 48cm 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 low colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 98cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 73cm 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 low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 110cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 103cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 102cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hook is 165cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a low visual contrast.