What is Disabled Access Day?
Disabled Access Day is all about trying something or somewhere new, whether that’s a local museum or gallery. This year the event will take place on 10th & 11th March and we’d love you to get involved and visit somewhere new with your friends and/or family. There are lots of exciting events, activities and offers going on across Tyne & Wear, from British Sign Language tours to discounted entrance fees to facilitated activities. We hope there is something for everyone!
What Support & Assistance is Available?
Free accessible transport is available to disabled people, their family, friends and carers who cannot use public transport or have no access to a private vehicle. This offer is open for any of the tours and activities which are listed below. There is a limited budget so please book up soon to avoid disappointment. For information related to accessible parking and safe/secure dropping off points for taxis etc. Please ring 0191 277 2313 or via email robert.latham@twmuseums.org.uk
If you book a place on any of the free tours you will also receive a 10% reduction in all of the venue shops as well as a 10% discount in the Discovery Museum Café, GNM: Hancock café and The Laing café. To take advantage of this offer you will be issued with a National Disabled Access Day badge on your arrival at any of the participating museums & galleries if you have booked a place on a tour or made us aware that you are just coming along for a visit on Friday 10th & Saturday 11th March.
The closing date for booking transport; places on the various free tours; BSL interpreter support; face painting; or to take advantage of the 10% reductions on offer in the museum & gallery shops and various café’s is Thursday 2nd March 2017.
What is Happening and Where?
The Discovery Museum, Blandford Square, Newcastle
Friday 10th & Saturday 11th March - An exciting audio/visual exhibition produced by people with profound and multiple learning disabilities from The Twisting Ducks Group. The exhibition will be shown in the Carpathia Room in the Discovery Museum and will be open between 11am and 3pm. It is suitable for audiences of all abilities this is the chance to come and interact with learning disabled produced art.
Friday 10th March – Two free guided tours of the Newcastle Story for all Deaf & disabled people, their family and friends. Walk the streets of Newcastle through the years, from Roman times up to the early millennium, stopping by the homes, communities and businesses of the past. See the Norman castle that give Newcastle its name, take a look at the city's Victorian past, learn more about Newcastle's effort in supporting both World Wars and groove away as the swinging 60s swept through the toon. The first free tour will take place between 11am & midday, BSL interpretation is available for this tour on request. The second free tour will take place between 2pm & 3pm. There are 12 free places (including carers) for each tour which can be booked by ringing 0191 277 2313 or via email robert.latham@twmuseums.org.uk
Friday 10th March – Free guided tour of the Arcs & Sparks store. Arcs and Sparks is an opportunity for visitors to gain an insight into electricity: what it is, how it works and the role our region played in laying the foundations for a now universal technology. The Arcs and Sparks store is located in Discovery Museum’s basement. It is a fascinating collection of electrical inventions from the Victorian period to the present day. This opportunity is open to all Deaf & disabled people, their friends and families. BSL interpretation is available for this tour on request. It starts at 12:30pm and ends at 1:30pm. There are 12 free places (including carers) for this free tour which can be booked by ringing 0191 277 2313 or via email robert.latham@twmuseums.org.uk Unfortunately there are only 2 wheelchair user places available due to health & safety regulations.
Saturday 11th March – Free face painting or glitter tattoos for the first 50 Deaf & disabled children and/or their brothers or sisters. There will also be balloon modelling where an artist will make cartoon characters; animals and many other models. There is a charge for the balloon activity from £3 upwards. This can be booked by ringing 0191 277 2313 or via email robert.latham@twmuseums.org.uk
GNM:Hancock, Barras Bridge, Newcastle
Friday 10th & Saturday 11th March – Free guided tour of The Bones: Skeletal Secrets of the Animal World exhibition. From itty-bitty bats to whopping whales, bones are the hidden keys to how animals move, survive and evolve over time. Join us on a journey through land, air and ocean and marvel at real bones, teeth and fossils from over 100 creatures. Spot a salamander. Discover the dodo. Reveal the skeleton secrets of the animal world! This opportunity is open to all Deaf & disabled people, their friends and families. The free tours take place between 11am & 12pm. BSL interpreter support is available Saturday 11th March on request and free places can be booked by ringing 0191 277 2313 or via email robert.latham@twmuseums.org.uk
South Shields Museum & Art Gallery, Ocean Road, South Shields
Friday 10th March – A free general museum tour between 11am &12pm. The museum is spread over two floors telling the story of the borough's social, industrial and maritime history from 4,000 years ago to the present day through a range of displays, exhibitions and nationally significant works of art. On the ground floor you can get closer to the collection and treasures of South Tyneside. There's also Creature Corner, home to our resident reptiles and insects. Up on the first floor is the temporary gallery which holds regular exhibitions and Art Adventure, our interactive gallery displaying paintings by artists such as Scott, Carmichael and Hemy. This free opportunity is open to all Deaf & disabled people, their friends and families. Places are available for up to 15 people (including carers). BSL interpreter support is available on request. Free places can be booked by ringing 0191 277 2313 or via email robert.latham@twmuseums.org.uk
Friday 10th March – Free stores tour & handling session which covers the social history of South Tyneside; its industrial heritage; art collections and much, much more! This free tour is between 2pm & 3pm. This free opportunity is open to all disabled people, their friends and families. There are 10 free places for disabled people (including carers). This tour can be booked by ringing 0191 277 2313 or via email robert.latham@twmuseums.org.uk
Saturday 11th March – Free story telling with Jungle June! Come along and enjoy an extra-special selection of stories for Deaf & disabled children, their friends and family. Jungle June has some WILD picture books she would like to share - some of her favourite animal stories! The drop-in sessions will be relaxed, highly inclusive and lots of fun for children from aged 2 upwards and their grown-ups to enjoy. The sessions will last between 20 & 30 minutes and the first performance will be at 11am. Why not bring along your favourite jungle animal soft toy to join in too? BSL interpreter support is available on request for the 11am, 12pm & 1pm performances. Free places can be booked by ringing 0191 277 2313 or via email robert.latham@twmuseums.org.uk
Segedunum Roman Fort, Buddle Street, Wallsend
Friday 10th March – Come along on this day and you will receive free admission to Segedunum Roman Fort which is a major site on Hadrian's Wall. It is the most excavated fort along the Wall with surviving foundations of many buildings and part of the Wall itself. There is a large interactive museum plus full-scale reconstructions of a bath house and a section of Wall. This free opportunity is open to all Deaf & disabled people, their friends and families. This tour can be booked by ringing 0191 277 2313 or via email robert.latham@twmuseums.org.uk
Friday 10th March – Two free tower talk & short tours between 11am & 12pm and 2pm & 3pm. The 120 foot high viewing tower provides outstanding views across this World Heritage Site. This free opportunity is open to all Deaf & disabled people, their friends and families. There are 15 free places for Deaf & disabled people (including carers) and BSL interpretation is available for the 2pm tour on request. This tour can be booked by ringing 0191 277 2313 or via email robert.latham@twmuseums.org.uk
Please remember that there is free entry to the Shipley Art Gallery, Gateshead and Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle every day, but if you wish to take advantage of free transport or the 10% reductions on offer in café’s and shops you must book places in advance by ringing 0191 277 2313 or via email robert.latham@twmuseums.org.uk