Accessible Birmingham provided a Birmingham's Access Guide which this and the following blogs' information will be taken from.
Providing choice for people with disabilities and limited mobility.
Providing choice for people with disabilities and limited mobility.
In this section:
Accessible parking,
Accessible toilets,
Shopmobility; what they offer and where they are,
Wayfinder Talking Signs;for visually impaired travellers
Induction loops; for deaf hearers,
and Meet & Greet services.
Accessible parking,
Accessible toilets,
Shopmobility; what they offer and where they are,
Wayfinder Talking Signs;for visually impaired travellers
Induction loops; for deaf hearers,
and Meet & Greet services.
Accessible parking
The City Centre provides unlimited free parking for Blue Badge holders. (Remember, you do not have to be a driver or car owner to be a Blue Badge holder; check out my blog on this to see if you're eligible to apply for one!)
Alternatively, for more information about parking for Blue Badge holders in Birmingham 0121 303 6644 or visit this site.
When parked make sure the Blue Badge is displayed with the expiry date clearly visible.
Accessible toilets
The majority of shopping centres facilities open from 9am -5.30pm and those in the Bullring daily between 9.30am - 9pm. Within cafes-bars and restaurants facilities may be limited to customers only (as with most toilet facilities, to be honest).
Some of these toilets require a RADAR key, which sounds much cooler than it is. These are a single keys can be used to open all accessible toilets operated by the RADAR scheme, (obviously only when it's vacant!). These can be purchased from Shopmobility.
The City Centre provides unlimited free parking for Blue Badge holders. (Remember, you do not have to be a driver or car owner to be a Blue Badge holder; check out my blog on this to see if you're eligible to apply for one!)
Alternatively, for more information about parking for Blue Badge holders in Birmingham 0121 303 6644 or visit this site.
When parked make sure the Blue Badge is displayed with the expiry date clearly visible.
Accessible toilets
The majority of shopping centres facilities open from 9am -5.30pm and those in the Bullring daily between 9.30am - 9pm. Within cafes-bars and restaurants facilities may be limited to customers only (as with most toilet facilities, to be honest).
Some of these toilets require a RADAR key, which sounds much cooler than it is. These are a single keys can be used to open all accessible toilets operated by the RADAR scheme, (obviously only when it's vacant!). These can be purchased from Shopmobility.
Shopmobility
Birmingham Shop mobility can help you enjoy Birmingham's array of shops, restaurants, and attractions, if you have problems with walking, trouble with fatigue or balance problems or other mobility problems.
Shopmobility at the Bullring can lend you a manual wheelchairs, scooters and powerchairs, along with Radar keys and further information on mobility help.
Cost: Single hires cost £3 per day. Membership costs £13 annually and allows you to get hires for £1 per day. If you use a car you can also get 3 hours of parking free.
Registration: Users are required to register their details and provide proof of identification for insurance purposes.
Birmingham Shop mobility can help you enjoy Birmingham's array of shops, restaurants, and attractions, if you have problems with walking, trouble with fatigue or balance problems or other mobility problems.
Shopmobility at the Bullring can lend you a manual wheelchairs, scooters and powerchairs, along with Radar keys and further information on mobility help.
Cost: Single hires cost £3 per day. Membership costs £13 annually and allows you to get hires for £1 per day. If you use a car you can also get 3 hours of parking free.
Registration: Users are required to register their details and provide proof of identification for insurance purposes.
Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.50pm Sunday 11am -5pm Address: Level 2, Centre Car Park, Bull Ring, B5 4BU Tel: 0121 616 2942 Email: [email protected] Web: www.birminghamshopmobility.org Coming soon: See my blog with an exhaustive list of the Shopmobility centres around the UK. As mentioned above, the RADAR key scheme is a single key which can be bought that can be used to open all accessible toilets operated by the RADAR scheme. Coming soon: See my blog with an exhaistive list of the RADAR Key operated toilets throughout Birmingham and for details on where to get a listing of accessible toilets nationally. | This Grant is a discretionary scheme available to support improvements to local community facilities to enable the disabled people in the community to use them and be included. For more info Contact Access Committee for Birmingham below or see my Grants page for more grants resources. Access Committee for Birmingham Address: 7 Colmore Row, B'ham, B26 2DT Contact name: Dave Arnold Tel: 0121 236 1686 Email: [email protected] Web: www.birminghamshopmobility.org Registered charity providing consultation on access issues to Birmingham City Council and others. Also operates Birmingham Shopmobility for the city centre. |
Wayfinder Talking Signs
There is a Wayfinder Talking Signs Scheme in Birmingham City Centre, based on the RNIB 'REACT' system. The sign enables blind or partially sighted people to access and find their way around the city centre.
There are around 60 speaker units are available at key locations, including retail areas, civic buildings and outside railways stations. The pre-recorded messages are activated by a small trigger fob which is easily transportable.
These trigger fobs are free of charge for Birmingham residents and those within the West Midlands area or who visit it frequently. Requests further afield will be considered on an individual basis. Fobs are available from Birmingham Shopobility and Birmingham Focus on Blindness.
There is a Wayfinder Talking Signs Scheme in Birmingham City Centre, based on the RNIB 'REACT' system. The sign enables blind or partially sighted people to access and find their way around the city centre.
There are around 60 speaker units are available at key locations, including retail areas, civic buildings and outside railways stations. The pre-recorded messages are activated by a small trigger fob which is easily transportable.
These trigger fobs are free of charge for Birmingham residents and those within the West Midlands area or who visit it frequently. Requests further afield will be considered on an individual basis. Fobs are available from Birmingham Shopobility and Birmingham Focus on Blindness.
Visitors The Birmingham Tourism Centre and Ticket Shop is full of information, souvenirs and tickets for theatres, concerts and attractions. The Ticket Shop and Welcome Centre have level access for wheelchair access and easy walking, and have an induction loop deaf and hard of hearing | Birmingham Tourism Centre & Ticket Shop The Rotunda, 150 New Street, Birmingham, B2 4TA Email:[email protected] Monday - Saturday 90.3-am-5.30pm Sunday & Bank Holidays 10.30am-4.30pm |
Meet and Greet
If you need someone for company or support during a visit to Brum, Birmingham City Centre Partnership runs a meet and greet service. This is great if you're particularly anxious in new places.
This free service is available from 10am - 4pm. Call ahead of time to check for availability, and book a service. A member of the Street Warden team will meet you at a pre-arranged location of your choosing and then can help you find your way around the city centre.
Call 0121 616 2259 or email sarnjit-singh@[email protected]
If you need someone for company or support during a visit to Brum, Birmingham City Centre Partnership runs a meet and greet service. This is great if you're particularly anxious in new places.
This free service is available from 10am - 4pm. Call ahead of time to check for availability, and book a service. A member of the Street Warden team will meet you at a pre-arranged location of your choosing and then can help you find your way around the city centre.
Call 0121 616 2259 or email sarnjit-singh@[email protected]