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Shildon Attraction named best in UK for disabled access

22nd May 2014

A railway museum in Shildon has been celebrated for its outstanding accessibility, voted the best of a host of attractions across the country in a poll by a disability charity.

While many art, historical and cultural attractions across the country continue to improve their disabled access, there are still many which are not up to scratch – which does not support the need of those who use aids such as home stairlifts or walk in baths and showers at home to live independently.

Clearly leading the way for offering access to people with limited mobility, Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon saw off competition from 85 other attractions to win the poll. It is fantastic news for the attraction, especially considering that landmark cultural sights such as the Imperial War Museum and the World Museum – based in Manchester and Liverpool respectively – were also included in the poll. Other attractions which were listed included London’s Victoria and Albert Museum of Childhood and the People’s Palace in Glasgow.

Taking a number of parameters into account
Collated by a disability charity called Vitalise, it took into account aspects such as the number of disabled toilets, the level of wheelchair access, the availability of disabled parking spaces and concessions for carers and disabled visitors.

After asking attractions to rate their accessibility as part of the survey, the final score was commanded after people with mobility problems tested the facilities.

Another attraction that finished strongly in the poll was The National Railway Museum in York, which finished in the poll at number four.

Vitalise chief executive officer, Chris Simmons, congratulated the museum on topping the table, suggesting that the attraction has gone the extra mile to cater for people with disabilities.

With an estimated £80bn a year provided in spending power from people with mobility issues, it is clearly important for attractions to offer the best access possible. If more follow suit in the future, it could mean those who depend on a rise and recliner chair or other aids in the home will be able to enjoy more days out than ever before.

Image Credit: Matt Buck (Flickr.com)

This news article is from Handicare UK. Articles that appear on this website are for information purposes only and are up to date as of the time of publishing