Access Statement

Introduction

The museum is one of the most accessible in London and disabled visitors are always very welcome.

Pre-Arrival

• We deal with enquiries by telephone, by post, and by e-mail
• Our website is accessible to all users
• We are in a central London location. The nearest bus stop is in Wharfdale Road, about 250 metres away. A wider range of routes is available at King's Cross Station, about 500 metres away Most of the routes are operated with accessible vehicles.
• King's Cross mainline station is the nearest National Rail station, with level access to platforms

Arrival & Car Parking Facilities

• Public transport is excellent in the area. All bus services are operated by accessible vehicles. King's Cross Underground station has lifts to platforms.
• Cars may be parked outside at any time if a disabled user's blue badge is displayed
• Cars may be parked after 1330 Saturdays, and all day Sundays, by anyone.

Main Entrance & Reception

• There is level access at the main entrance
• The double entrance doors are normally automatic in operation and have an opening width of 4' 2" (1.27 metres).
• A hearing loop system is in use at reception
• The reception area is well lit
• There is a low-level counter at reception

Public Areas - General (Internal)

• Access between floors is by stairs and by lifts. A platform lift connects the ground floor with the mezzanine floor. A second lift connects the mezzanine floor with the first floor
• Stair cases all have handrails both sides and contrasting stair nosings
• Tactile and Braille signage is provided for all main service function e.g. toilets
• The door to the wharf is power operated
• The lifts are large enough for most power operated wheelchairs
• All the floors are either wooden or a hard painted surface
• Lighting is mainly provided by spotlights that highlight exhibitions
• Baby changing facilities are available in the disabled visitors' lavatory
• Guide and assistance dogs are welcome - no non-working pet dogs please
• All public parts of the museum are fully accessible to all except the cabin of the narrowboat on the ground floor, for which a virtual tour alternativeis provided
• There is no public telephone but staff will assist disabled visitors with messages if required
• Tactile mats are provided at the foot and top of every staircase
• The layout is spacious and there is ample room for wheelchairs throughout the public area
• Red flashing beacons are included in the fire alarm system

Public Areas - WC

• The disabled visitors' lavatory is 3 metres from the entrance
• The floor surface near the lavatory is made of concrete
• The disabled visitors' lavatory is a purpose-built unisex facility with all the usual facilities
• An emergency alarm is provided
• The door opens outwards
• All taps are easy to use and do not require an ability to grip
• A coat hook and low-level mirror are provided
• The walls are tiled with white tiles
• The museum does not have a Changing Places toilet. Directions to the nearest Changing Places toilets are on the Wheelchair Users' page.

Restaurant / Dining Room, Bar & Lounges, Take Away & Cafe

• There is no cafe at the museum. Cold soft drinks and ice creams are sold at the museum shop. There is currently no vendong machine.
• A staffed tea and coffee service can be provided for groups of 10 or more with prior booking
• Staff will give directions to numerous nearby cafes and restaurants

Laundry

• There is no laundry

Shop

• The museum shop is located at reception.
• Staff will be pleased to assist disabled visitors as may be necessary
• A low-level counter is provided
• Price labels are mostly small but staff will help as necessary
• There is a slight ridge at the shop entrance. The shop is carpeted.

Treatment rooms

• There are no treatment rooms

Leisure Facilities

• The museum does not offer a health club

Outdoor Facilities

• The wharf at the rear of the museum is accessible through a powered wide door and a wooden ramp
• A small wall about 6 inches high is at the waterside but the canal is not fenced
• Boat trips provided on selected summer dates are generally not accessible to wheelchair users
• The museum can advise on the hire of a community narrowboat for groups of 12 persons, which is equipped with a wheelchair lift

Conference & Meeting Rooms, Banqueting, Clubs, Entertainment

• The museum holds conferences and private functions in its exhibition galleries outside opening hours
• The museum also has a small conference room available at any time
• There is wheelchair access to all facilities
• The conference room has a step between the anti-room and the meeting area for which a ramp is provided, but this ramp reduces the amount of space that is available for furniture
• The room capacity and layout of the conference room are restricted when space needs to be allowed for a wheelchair

Bedrooms

• No bedrooms are provided

Bathroom, Shower-room & WC [Ensuite or Shared]

• No washing facilities are provided other than hand-washing basins

Self-Catering Kitchen

• No kitchen is provided other than a limited facility for venue hire clients

Caravans, Holiday Homes & Twin Units

• Not applicable

Touring Facilities (Holiday Parks)

• Not applicable

Boats - Narrow Boat, Cruiser & Hotel Boat

• The museum does not offer boat hire
• A mooring is available for visiting hire boats

Attractions (Displays, exhibits, rides etc.)

• All parts of the museum are accessible to disabled visitors except that wheelchairs cannot enter the confined space that is the cabin of the narrowboat. A virtual tour of the cabin is provided as an alternative.
• Sub-titles are provided for displays of archive film and a computer-based interactive exhibit. Transcripts are provided for audio exhibits.
• A purpose-designed audio tour for visually-impaired visitors is provided
• All exhibitions are designed to be accessible to wheelchair users

Grounds and Gardens

• There are no gardens. A canalside wharf is available to which there is acces via a power operated sliding door and a ramp.

Additional Information

• Background music is not played.
• The sound track to a video is often played including music. The sound level is adjustable

Contact Information

• Address: 12-13 new Wharf Road, London N1 9RT
• Telephone: 020 7713 0836
• Minicom: Not available
• Email: info@canalmuseum.org.uk
• Website: www.canalmuseum.org.uk
• We answer enquiries through Facebook and Google Maps
• Hours of operation: 1000 - 1630 Tuesdays to Sundays plus bank holidays, and late opening 1st Thursday of month
• Emergency number: Not applicable
• Local public transport numbers: 020 7222 1234
• Local accessible taxi numbers: Comcab: Paying by Cash 020 7908 0207 Paying by Credit Card 020 7432 1432

Future Plans

• Accessibility will be built into future exhibition development

We welcome your feedback to help us continuously improve if you have any comments please email or telephone if unable to use e-mail.

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