Visually-Impaired

Physical Conditions

The museum is on two floors and all floor surfaces are hard other than the shop and the children's activity zone which are carpeted.

All staircases have handrails both sides and tactile rubber mats at the top and bottom, a few inches away from the first step. Contrasting white nosings are fitted to all the steps. The main staircase to the first floor has an effective non-slip surface.

The doors operate either automatically or by push button. If the front door does not immediately open, please feel free to knock on the glass. The staff member may have left the door locked whilst at the lavatory, for example.

The wharf at the rear is an open wharf with only a very low wall to designate the edge of the canal. It is reccommended that if you are completely without sight you should not approach the water unaccompanied, in the interests of safety.

Exhibitions

there are a significant number of exhibitions that you can touch and feel. For example, you can explore the cabin of the narrowboat Coronis by touch, and get a good idea of the sort of conditions in which people used to live afloat.

There are two audio exhibits:

• Sound track of the son of a former ice trade worker talking about his father's life and work. This is located on the fence around the ice well opening, ground floor
• Mini-drama audio exhibit in the cabin of the narrowboat Coronis. Press the button at the far end, to the left of the door.

Mini-Guide

A large-print edition of the mini-guide is available on request, free of charge.