Disabled Access
- Thread starter blu187
- Start date
I don't think we've discussed this previously and so we can't have a consensus view. I think it's hard to generalise: older buildings may cause problems and so will larger zoos, particularly the ones with hilly sites like Port Lympne and Edinburgh.
Modern buildings which are on more than one level have lifts and ramps - which are important for the ubiquitous push-chairs as well as for wheelchairs eg Budongo and RoTRA.
Zoo Inspectors are supposed to consider these things when a zoo's licence is to be renewed - but they are not expected to be experts in this field. See the Standards for Modern Zoo Practice on the DEFRA website Defra, UK - Wildlife and Countryside: Wildlife Protection - Zoos - Standards of modern zoo practice
Alan
Modern buildings which are on more than one level have lifts and ramps - which are important for the ubiquitous push-chairs as well as for wheelchairs eg Budongo and RoTRA.
Zoo Inspectors are supposed to consider these things when a zoo's licence is to be renewed - but they are not expected to be experts in this field. See the Standards for Modern Zoo Practice on the DEFRA website Defra, UK - Wildlife and Countryside: Wildlife Protection - Zoos - Standards of modern zoo practice
Alan
Hmm, when you hear the word 'disabled' its the first thing you think of. Apologies for being too specific.
As for visual imparements, aren't zoo's pretty much... visual dependant? I don't really see what zoos can do further to accomodate blind people. Unless we're talking only those partially impared. Guide Dogs are permitted in most zoos.
To make sure I cover the wide spectrum, as far as deafness goes, I have seen the Educations Officer at Exmoor deliver a whole talk whilst also doing it in sign language because there was a deaf child in the audience.
As for visual imparements, aren't zoo's pretty much... visual dependant? I don't really see what zoos can do further to accomodate blind people. Unless we're talking only those partially impared. Guide Dogs are permitted in most zoos.
To make sure I cover the wide spectrum, as far as deafness goes, I have seen the Educations Officer at Exmoor deliver a whole talk whilst also doing it in sign language because there was a deaf child in the audience.
Monkey world once did a sculpture programme for blind visitors where they could feel what the primates actually felt like and to get an idea of the size.
Most zoos are pretty good with disabled people, obviously for people with wheelchairs it can be quite tiring and for the people pushing them. I believe that most zoos have disabled facilities and some even have wheelchair hire. As alan has pointed out almost all new facilities have lifts and ramps replacing stairs.
Most zoos are pretty good with disabled people, obviously for people with wheelchairs it can be quite tiring and for the people pushing them. I believe that most zoos have disabled facilities and some even have wheelchair hire. As alan has pointed out almost all new facilities have lifts and ramps replacing stairs.
I do have personal knowledge of another area, where practice differs widely from one zoo to another.
Several years ago I sometimes visited zoos with my late brother who had Down's syndrome. As a disabled person he always paid a reduced entrance price, although the amount of the discount varied. As his carer, I sometimes got free admission, sometimes a discount, sometimes not. I didn't feel it was a big issue, but it might be important to some people. I note that Chester stopped giving free admission for carers several years ago, but Bristol and Edinburgh still do.
I have been checking a few websites and they do have information for disabled visitors on them. I would recommend checking the website before a visit and telephoning about anything that needs clarification.
Alan
Several years ago I sometimes visited zoos with my late brother who had Down's syndrome. As a disabled person he always paid a reduced entrance price, although the amount of the discount varied. As his carer, I sometimes got free admission, sometimes a discount, sometimes not. I didn't feel it was a big issue, but it might be important to some people. I note that Chester stopped giving free admission for carers several years ago, but Bristol and Edinburgh still do.
I have been checking a few websites and they do have information for disabled visitors on them. I would recommend checking the website before a visit and telephoning about anything that needs clarification.
Alan
karenZOO
Well-Known Member
Colchester have a special senses day, I know its only once a year!
http://www.colchester-zoo.co.uk/index.cfm?fa=news.special.detail&id=285
Having so many steep slopes Colchester is a nightmare for wheelchair users although they do suggest routes and the slopes are well signposted!
http://www.colchester-zoo.co.uk/index.cfm?fa=info.disabled
From January this year they have got rid of the gold card parking places that were close to the entrance and replaced them with disabled parking places, they only had a few before although last time we visited they had not been concreted or marked out!
Last time I was at Colchester we bumped into my cousin who is a longterm wheelchair user and he was trying to find an easy route to orang utan forest for his new electric wheelchair, a pushchair and several children!
He was looking forward to seeing the new outside area (I know!!!) but had to point out although around the church there is lovely paths they have chosen to heavily bark the new viewing area as well as placing fake rock obstacles!
http://www.colchester-zoo.co.uk/index.cfm?fa=news.special.detail&id=285
Having so many steep slopes Colchester is a nightmare for wheelchair users although they do suggest routes and the slopes are well signposted!
http://www.colchester-zoo.co.uk/index.cfm?fa=info.disabled
From January this year they have got rid of the gold card parking places that were close to the entrance and replaced them with disabled parking places, they only had a few before although last time we visited they had not been concreted or marked out!
Last time I was at Colchester we bumped into my cousin who is a longterm wheelchair user and he was trying to find an easy route to orang utan forest for his new electric wheelchair, a pushchair and several children!
He was looking forward to seeing the new outside area (I know!!!) but had to point out although around the church there is lovely paths they have chosen to heavily bark the new viewing area as well as placing fake rock obstacles!
Older exhibits can be forgiven to some extent for not having adequate access. However, when new exhibits are inaccessible it is less than satisfactory. In relation to reduced rates, I believe all visitors should pay the same entrance fee, regardless of ability, sex, age or any other discriminatory factor.
GillP
Well-Known Member
Blu187 said:
This would be fair enough if ALL visitors could access all areas equally, but, as Karen pointed out earlier, in a zoo like Colchester where large areas are physically off limits if you can't, for whatever reason, cope with steep slopes, it seems rather harsh to expect someone with a physical disability to pay the same fee as someone who can go anywhere and everywhere if they choose.
Some of the slopes at Colchester can be very hairy in wet and icy weather for even the most able bodied visitor !
karenZOO
Well-Known Member
Tell me about it Gillp you certainly get a good workout at Colchester 
My fella had an accident last year (tore off his achilles tendon very badly) after 5 months on crutches and in plaster he obviously had to take things very easily and even now a year later he is still not up to a full day out at Colchester.
The first zoo we chose to visit when he could drive again but still in rehab was a weeekend away at Marwell!
Although the zoo is obviously huge you are able to hire electric scooters (an option we did not need but knew it was there in case) But we did use the excellent road train to move to different zones and also to get down the large slope!
After that we did Woburn which is obviously mostly accessible being mostly a drive through (they also have a cd that you stop and start as you drive round giving you more information about the animals) and also Whipsnade as you can take the car close to most exhibits.
I know he was only temporarily not very mobile but it certainly makes you have to look for solutions in everyday life that most of us take for granted when planning days out!
My fella had an accident last year (tore off his achilles tendon very badly) after 5 months on crutches and in plaster he obviously had to take things very easily and even now a year later he is still not up to a full day out at Colchester.
The first zoo we chose to visit when he could drive again but still in rehab was a weeekend away at Marwell!
Although the zoo is obviously huge you are able to hire electric scooters (an option we did not need but knew it was there in case) But we did use the excellent road train to move to different zones and also to get down the large slope!
After that we did Woburn which is obviously mostly accessible being mostly a drive through (they also have a cd that you stop and start as you drive round giving you more information about the animals) and also Whipsnade as you can take the car close to most exhibits.
I know he was only temporarily not very mobile but it certainly makes you have to look for solutions in everyday life that most of us take for granted when planning days out!
I always remember it being quite a tiring place to walk around when I was younger, and my old dog did too.
My mum has rheumatoid arthritis and cannot walk very far, or move her arms without a great deal of pain.
Up until last year she was able to drive a disabled persons' scooter. She was unable to access a lot of places which claimed to be disabled friendly because the only disability people seemd to take into consideration was wheelchair users. It is impossible to turn an electric scooter in the space alloted to turn a wheelchair.
Also the symptoms of her illness give her a great deal of pain on bumpy surfaces. Chester zoo has a policy of rippled concrete paths in all their new exhibits. Should she visit the zoo, she may not be able to use her wheelchair in these areas, it would be to painful for her.
I do not see the need this policy by Chester, it must surely be more expensive than a smooth concrete path.
A few years ago I took the issue up with the zoo and someone from customer services just said the zoo was compliant with current legislation.
Judging from the 2009 Chester leaflet, carers are admitted at the rate paid by other concessions.
I'm not sure but I think both Paignton and Welsh Mountain allow a carer in free of charge.
Up until last year she was able to drive a disabled persons' scooter. She was unable to access a lot of places which claimed to be disabled friendly because the only disability people seemd to take into consideration was wheelchair users. It is impossible to turn an electric scooter in the space alloted to turn a wheelchair.
Also the symptoms of her illness give her a great deal of pain on bumpy surfaces. Chester zoo has a policy of rippled concrete paths in all their new exhibits. Should she visit the zoo, she may not be able to use her wheelchair in these areas, it would be to painful for her.
I do not see the need this policy by Chester, it must surely be more expensive than a smooth concrete path.
A few years ago I took the issue up with the zoo and someone from customer services just said the zoo was compliant with current legislation.
Judging from the 2009 Chester leaflet, carers are admitted at the rate paid by other concessions.
I'm not sure but I think both Paignton and Welsh Mountain allow a carer in free of charge.
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The concept of reduced admission rates for those who cannot access all facilities is a valid one. However Chester Zoo offer reduced entrance fees for senior citizens and students. Being a senior citizen is not an indication of disability. Many older customers will be able to access all the exhibits on offer, as will the majority of students.
taun
Well-Known Member
This is aimed at the reduced income they are on not disability
Students and the elderly get discounted admission at most recreational areas, not just zoos...
