Birkenhead Pool and Leisure Centre
Accessible to visitors who:
- The main entrance and pathway provide step-free access to the venue.
- The reception area is easy to navigate for visitors using wheelchairs, powerchairs, mobility scooters, or walking aids.
- Where steps exist, ramps are also available, are easily navigated, and have secure handrails.
- All entrances, passageways, and doorways have a minimum width of 0.81 metres and accommodate wheelchairs, powerchairs, or mobility scooters, with doors that are easy to open.
- The venue has more than one clearly labelled accessible bathroom stall.
- Grabrails are easily accessible to a person seated on the toilet and are available in the accessible restroom.
- Handwashing and drying facilities (paper towel) are within easy reach of a person using a wheelchair, and the bathroom mirror is at an appropriate height.
- The restroom interior is accessible to people using manual wheelchairs or powerchairs, meeting the minimum cubicle dimensions of 2 metres x 1.6 metres.
- The site has designated and clearly-marked accessible parking spaces.
- The main entrance or meeting point is located within 20 metres of the closest accessible parking space.
- There is sufficient room for people to transfer to their wheelchairs, powerchairs, or mobility scooters by the driver and passenger car doors.
- The car park is well-lit at night.
- A safe footpath leads to the entrance for people who are blind or experience low vision.
- Staff are available to assist guests with blindness or low vision, if needed.
- Activities are not held in environments suitable for participants who are blind or experience low vision (e.g. regarding even, non-slip flooring and unobstructed pathways).
- Tactile ground surface indicators are not available at the top of each set of stairs.
- Activities are held in environments suitable for participants who are deaf or experience limited hearing, with clearly-displayed signs or graphics.
- The venue is able to notify all visitors quickly and clearly in the event of an emergency.
- Evacuation plans take into consideration individuals with deafness or limited hearing.
- Information regarding whether emergency alert systems produce both audio and visual warnings is not available.
- Activities are held in environments suitable for participants who are neurodiverse.
- The site has a designated breakout room or quiet space for visitors who require it.
- Participants can easily remove themselves from activities at this site if they experience sensory overload or discomfort.
- Staff are available to assist guests with intellectual disabilities, if needed.
- All service animals are welcome on the premises.
- Service animals can enter most, but not all, of the same spaces in which their owners are welcome.
Venue accessibility summary
The Birkenhead Pool and Leisure Centre offers a good level of accessibility for visitors, particularly for those using wheelchairs or mobility scooters, with step-free access, designated parking, and adapted water entry. Staff are trained to provide support across various needs. While there are accessible features, some limitations exist regarding comprehensive sensory provisions and full accessibility for those with blindness or low vision in activity environments.
Visitor experience
- The venue has designated and clearly-marked accessible parking spaces.
- Public transport (bus) is available and the closest stop is within 200 metres of the venue entrance.
- The main entrance and pathway provide step-free access to the venue.
- A safe footpath leads to the entrance for people who are blind or experience low vision.
- The car park is well-lit at night and a sheltered space is available for visitors in the event of sudden bad weather.
- The site has a designated breakout room or quiet space for visitors who require it.
- Participants can easily remove themselves from activities at this site if they experience sensory overload or discomfort.
- The venue is unable to adjust the temperature of all indoor venues for visitors who require controlled room temperatures.
- The venue cannot create a temperature-controlled space in the event of a heatwave, cold snap, or sudden shift in temperature.
- The venue offers water sports and water-based activities.
- A hoist is available for people to access the main pool, while the small pool can be accessed through a short series of steps.
- Other water-based activities do not permit easy access into the water without aid.
- Activities are held in environments suitable for participants who are deaf or experience limited hearing, as well as those who are neurodiverse.
- The venue does not offer winter sports or sports that require the use of ski fields.
- All staff have received workplace education and training on accessibility and inclusion for visitors.
- Staff are aware of accessible features and services available within this venue and are able to provide assistance when needed.
- Staff are available to assist guests with blindness or low vision, and guests with intellectual disabilities.
- Staff are able to help if emergency escape routes are not immediately accessible to people who require mobility assistance.
- A feedback mechanism is in place for visitors to raise concerns about accessibility or to provide suggestions.
Wheelchair & Mobility Scooter Access
- The main entrance and pathway provide step-free access to the venue.
- The reception area is easy to navigate for visitors using wheelchairs, powerchairs, mobility scooters, or walking aids.
- Where steps exist, ramps are also available, are easily navigated, and have secure handrails.
- All entrances, passageways, and doorways have a minimum width of 0.81 metres and accommodate wheelchairs, powerchairs, or mobility scooters, with doors that are easy to open.
Accessible Parking
- The site has designated and clearly-marked accessible parking spaces.
- The main entrance or meeting point is located within 20 metres of the closest accessible parking space.
- There is sufficient room for people to transfer to their wheelchairs, powerchairs, or mobility scooters by the driver and passenger car doors.
- The car park is well-lit at night.
Accessible Restrooms
- The venue has more than one clearly labelled accessible bathroom stall.
- Grabrails are easily accessible to a person seated on the toilet and are available in the accessible restroom.
- Handwashing and drying facilities (paper towel) are within easy reach of a person using a wheelchair, and the bathroom mirror is at an appropriate height.
- The restroom interior is accessible to people using manual wheelchairs or powerchairs, meeting the minimum cubicle dimensions of 2 metres x 1.6 metres.
Blindness & Low Vision
- A safe footpath leads to the entrance for people who are blind or experience low vision.
- Staff are available to assist guests with blindness or low vision, if needed.
- Activities are not held in environments suitable for participants who are blind or experience low vision (e.g. regarding even, non-slip flooring and unobstructed pathways).
- Tactile ground surface indicators are not available at the top of each set of stairs.
Deafness & Limited Hearing
- Activities are held in environments suitable for participants who are deaf or experience limited hearing, with clearly-displayed signs or graphics.
- The venue is able to notify all visitors quickly and clearly in the event of an emergency.
- Evacuation plans take into consideration individuals with deafness or limited hearing.
- Information regarding whether emergency alert systems produce both audio and visual warnings is not available.
Neurodiverse Support
- Activities are held in environments suitable for participants who are neurodiverse.
- The site has a designated breakout room or quiet space for visitors who require it.
- Participants can easily remove themselves from activities at this site if they experience sensory overload or discomfort.
- Staff are available to assist guests with intellectual disabilities, if needed.
Service Animals
- All service animals are welcome on the premises.
- Service animals can enter most, but not all, of the same spaces in which their owners are welcome.