General Information

Accessibility Guidelines

Some of the ways we ensure our centre is accessible are listed below:

Accessible Venue

• Full DDA compliance 
• IFI Accredited
• Disabled parking
• Step free access into the building
• Wheelchair friendly areas and low level reception desks
• Lifts to make all floors accessible
• Automatic doors
• Pool hoists
• Accessible toilets, showers and changing facilities
• Non slip floors
• Evac chair – in case of an emergency

Car park

• The car park is located at the front side of the venue.
• Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
• There are 5 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
• The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 360cm x 600cm (11ft 10in x 19ft 8in).
• The nearest Blue Badge bay is 33m from the main entrance.
• The furthest Blue Badge bay is 45m  from the main entrance.
• The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
•  There are dropped kerbs and ramp leading to entrance
• The car park surface is tarmac.
• The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
• This information is for the entrance located at the front of the venue.

Entrance / exit

• The main door opens automatically.
• The door is double width or 240 cm
• The width of the door opening is 210cm.
• There is a second set of automatic doors – double width of 175cm

Reception area

• The desk/counter is 1m from the main entrance.
• There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
• The lighting levels are moderate to good.
• There is not a hearing assistance system.

Inside venue

• There is level access throughout the centre with lifts
• This venue does have a television at reception
• Music is not played throughout the venue.
• The lighting levels are moderate to good.
• Automatic doors throughout the centre
• Braille/signage throughout the building

Café area

• The café is located to the right as you enter from the main entrance.
• Food or drinks are ordered from the service counter.
• Food or drinks can be brought to the table.
• There is not a lowered section at the counter.
• No tables or chairs are permanently fixed
• Soft sofas are also available
• There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
• Plastic / takeaway cups and cutlery are available.
• Drinking straws are available.
• Menus are wall only.
• Menus are clearly written.
• Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
• The type of food served here is hot and cold meals and snacks.

Swimming pool

• There is disabled changing available in the male and female changing rooms.
• Lockers are provided in each area.
• There is level access from the changing area to the swimming pool.
• Small pool has gradual steps to enter the water.
• There is a hoist for wheelchair users to access the water. Please inform reception if required on arrival.
• There are steps into the main swimming pool with 3 steps with handrails on both sides.

MEA gym

• Through our adherence to the Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) we have  ensured that our gym is  as open and wide-reaching as possible. 
• This includes the inclusion of IFI accredited equipment within our gym which has been purchased through our partnership with one of the leading fitness equipment manufacturers, Pulse Fitness.
• The Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) is a programme that supports the fitness industry to become more inclusive, catering for the needs of disabled and non-disabled people and raising physical participation levels.
• The Amphitheatre gym is located on the second floor and can be accessed via the lift at reception.
• Disabled toilets/shower rooms with lockers are available and can be accessed via the gym.
• All equipment has a clear manoeuvring space between each machine and provides a number of special adapted equipment for wheelchair users.
• There is a level access to all of the equipment within this area.

Inclusive activities

• Amphitheatre Sports Development Team provides inclusive activities such as boccia, Special Needs swimming sessions, PARS GP referral schemes, and MOVE MORE sessions. 
• The leisure centre is committed to offering a variety of activities and initiatives to make physical activity accessible for all. 

Staff training

• Adapted emergency evacuation procedures are in place including evac chairs (located at the stairs within the building).
• DBS checks in accordance with the law.