Sunday 13 April 2014

National football museum Manchester

I visited the football museum in January 2014. It was my first visit so I wasn't sure what to except.

We found the museum easily as we had walked from the hotel to the museum which overall was easily done with the wheelchair over all. We choose to walk as it wasn't far but could easily have used a taxi as they are all wheelchair accessible and always happy to help if need be.

Upon arrival at the museum I found the entrance was all accessible with automatic doors (always a relief!). The entrance was large and welcome desk had a lowered area and loop fir those with hearing impairments.

Inside the museum I found the whole museum accessible and you can easily participate in the interactive things, the telephones for example where lowered.

Now if you like heights it probably wouldn't both you but for me it wasn't great! The life goes up and down on a graduate incline/decline you are effectively on a ski lift but an actual lift!

After visiting the museum we visited the gift shop which was disappointed with as it was quite small in size and packed so not easy for a wheelchair user to look around.

Overall I give it a 9/10 simply because of the gift shop and I wasn't keen on that lift!

But I'd recommend anyone football fan to visit!

Old Trafford

Manchester United FC where I can be found when tickets are Avilable!

From an accessible view. Mudsa (Manchester United disabled supporters association) have this season started a new way to apply for tickets which I feel is much better. You now apply for tickets via the website or you can still ring if you prefer and then you go into a ballot the same as other members.

Upon arrival at old Trafford if in a car, you are directed to where to park and then it's a short walk to the entrance, if on foot, please do arrive early as it is busy and it takes a bit of time to get a wheelchair through the crowds!

All wheelchair users enter via the same entrance and you need your ticket and name to give the steward before gaining entrance. Once you are in you can enjoy the ability suit. Which has been designed for wheelchair users in mind. It has a lowered counter so you can order and get your food/ drink easily.

Once your ready to go to your seat. It's all ramped there are three sections of seats and depending on where your seat is which ramp you use. The seats are good plenty of room for you and your companion to sit next to you.

Only negative is if your on the top teir your sat right in front of the away fans who are loud and it can be scary if your not a hardened football supporter.

Manchester United get a 10/10 from me over all. I'm not reflecting this on disabled ticketing just the facilities.

Lowry hotel Manchester

The Lowry hotel is my favourite hotel in Manchestsd and if possible I'll stay and these are my reasons.

Unfortunately you can't book a disabled room online but if you ring up the hotel and ask to speak to the reservations team they will advise you on availability and help anyway they can.

Once your booked you guaenteed an excellent welcome at the hotel. There is a ramp on the right hand side of the steps to enter the hotel, this is wide and a gradual incline so manageable for wheelchair users.

Upon entry at the hotel unfortunately the desk aren't lowered to accomdated wheelchairs users but the staff are extreamly helpful and come around to you to pay and anything else needing doing. The lifts are a good size.

When you enter the room you will be impressed they have really thought about the user. From the bed level it's just about right fir a transfer for an average hight person. They have a full length mirror that is floor to ceiling so excellent for a wheelchair user. They have a walk in wardrobe that I as a wheelchair user can use.

The bathroom is excellent you have two! One for your able bodied companion and a second for a wheelchair user which is fully equipped. The sink is a good hight and you can roll under it so you can use it correctly. The toilet is well positioned and has appropriate aids to the side. They have a shower which again is excellent and easy to use.

The hotel as a whole is really well layed out and easy to get around as a wheelchair user. There is a disabled toilet in the bar area which is inside the ladies so you can join friends for a chat! Ideal!

In conclusion I feel the hotel has been well thought out and has excellent rooms for disabled customers it has a few minor issues but with such friendly staff and help readily Avilable I would still give the hotel a 10/10.