Disabled Access Day is back this Saturday for its second year.
The nationwide event encourages disabled people to visit somewhere they wouldn't usually go. That's not just people in wheelchairs and with physical disabilities — people with visual and hearing impairments and learning difficulties can get involved too.
As well as encouraging disabled people to visit, the event gives venues a chance to receive feedback about the accessibility options they offer.
Plenty of London venues are taking part. Here's a selection. See the Disabled Access Day website for the full list.
- Imperial War Museum: The museum offers British Sign Language tours and talks throughout the day.
- St Paul's Cathedral: St Paul's Cathedral offers extra tours and activities today, including BSL and audio-described tours, and a touch tour for people with visual impairments.
- Borough Market: Watch a British Sign Language interpreted cooking demonstration by MasterChef finalist Tony Rodd at Borough Market. There's also a blindfolded taste session.
- Kensington Palace: Handling sessions for the blind and partially sighted, as well as BSL and audio described tours are available at Kensington Palace.
- Hampstead Theatre: The auditorium at the Hampstead Theatre will be open all day for disabled visitors to go in and see how it meets their specific requirements.
- The Albany: This Deptford arts centre hosts a recruitment surgery where disabled people can get advice on writing job applications. Free massages are also on offer.
- Phoenix Cinema: East Finchley's Phoenix Cinema offers a British Sign Language tour of the building, a subtitled screening of Hail, Caesar!, pus a relaxed screening of The Peanuts Movie, suitable for those with autism or sensory disabilities.
- Hampton Court Palace: Visitors to Henry VIII's old pad have a chance to give their feedback on accessibility in the new Magic Garden before it opens to the public (ballot entry).
- Museum of the Mind: The Bethlem Museum of the Mind in Beckenham has already been open for a year, but is now inviting the public to offer feedback and advice on how to make it as accessible as possible.
The first Disabled Access Day took place in January 2015. This impact report details the aims it had and how far it went to achieving them.
Disabled Access Day 2016 takes place on Saturday 12 March. See individual venue websites for event booking and price information.
