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Access for all: visitors to Middlesbrough

Tourism information can be obtained from our Tourist Information Centre, which has full disabled access and hearing induction loop.

Middlesbrough Tourist Information Centre
The Town Hall
Albert Road
Middlesbrough
PO Box 69
TS1 2QQ
T 01642 729700
F 01642 729935
E tic@middlesbrough.gov.uk
http://www.visitmiddlesbrough.com/site/visitor-information/tourist-information-centre

Middlesbrough Shopmobility

Middlesbrough Shopmobility opened to the public in November 2001. The registered charity (1076622) is a hire service, which provides Wheelchairs, Mobility Scooters & Powerchairs for use within the Town Centre enabling persons with limited mobility to access Middlesbrough Town.

Shopmobility also hires Wheelchairs to take away including holiday trips abroad. They have a disabled toilet on their premises & public toilets are located within 40 yards.

They also provide 12 private parking bays whilst the equipment is in use at a charge of £1 per visit. With prior notice only, shopping companions to assist with your shopping needs can be provided.

For Daily Use: Cost is £1.35 per hour for hire of all equipment
Long Term Hires (Wheelchairs Only): Cost is £10 per week (£50 deposit required)

Middlesbrough Shopmobility
1st floor car park
Hillstreet
Middlesbrough
TS1 1TE
Tel. 01642 254545
info@middlesbroughshopmobility.co.uk
http://www.middlesbroughshopmobility.co.uk/

Arriving by car
Exit the A66 at the Hartington interchange & follow signs for Middlesbrough Town Centre, at the junction turn left & take the centre lane signposted Hillstreet Centre, once entering the car park, take the ramp to the 1st level & make the 3rd turning on the right. Shopmobility is located at the bottom of this lane.

Arriving by Bus
The Bus Station is located next to the Hillstreet Shopping Centre. Please phone on arrival for assistance.

Arriving by Train
The Train Station is located near the Hillstreet Shopping Centre. Please phone for assistance.

Middlesbrough Shopmobility at Stewart Park

Middlesbrough Shopmobility have launched a scheme in partnership with award-winning Stewart Park to provide less mobile visitors with a more convenient mode of travel around the park's comprehensive network of tarmac public footpaths.

The scheme has introduced a fleet of mobility scooters and wheelchairs for hire from the Stewart Park reception area accessed via The Grove entrance off Marton Road. These are available for hire Monday to Friday 11am until 4pm at a cost of £1.00 to existing Shopmobility clients and £2.00 for visitors and non-members.

For further details about the scheme please contact Stewart Park on 01642 300202 or Gail Chester on 01642 254545 at the Shopmobility Centre located on the 1st Level Car Park of the Hillstreet Centre.

More information about Stewart Park (including a downloadable map of park paths) :

http://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/ccm/content/leisure-and-culture/6parks-and-countryside/1parks/stewart-park.en

Changing Places Toilet in Middlesbrough

A state-of-the-art toilet and changing facility is opening in Middlesbrough Bus Station on Friday 30th April.

Claire and Barbara at right are just two of the people who look forward to using it.

A Changing Places toilet is larger than a standard accessible toilet and is equipped with:

·  height adjustable changing bench/trolley

·  ceiling track hoist

·  adequate space for a disabled person and up to two carers

·  centrally placed toilet with grab bars

·  privacy screen/curtain

·  wide paper roll to cover the bench

·  shower

·  slip resistant floor

Membership scheme for Changing Places Toilet

Access to the Changing Places toilet in the bus station will be run on a free membership system with members getting a fob to access the facility.

This is to ensure that only people who really need to use the facility can access it. The membership scheme will be operated by Shopmobility.

The existing accessible toilets in the bus station have also had a face-lift as part of additional improvement work.

There are over 100 Changing Places toilets across the UK details can be found at www.changing-places.org.uk

To join the membership scheme to access the Changing Places toilet, which is for disabled people who cannot use the existing toilets, call Shopmobility on 01642 254545 or to find out more about Changing Places in Middlesbrough call 01642 726004.

Bridge card information at shopmobility

New travel cards have been launched in Middlesbrough to make travel easier for those with disabilities.

The Bridge Card is part of a national scheme to assist people with hidden (not obvious) disabilities or difficulties to access public transport by alerting the driver/attendant that additional help may be required.

This can range from simply a little extra time to ensure the holder is seated before continuing with the journey to help with knowing which stop to depart at.

The card – which is free - also allows for a dialogue between the driver and the holder without offence being caused, a concern that drivers can have when asking if someone needs help.

The Tees Valley Bridge Card is a joint venture between the five Tees Valley authorities, working in partnership with bus and train operators.

Each authority has a supply of cards which will be distributed by various organisations including Shopmobility Centres. 

For further details on obtaining a card please contact the Middlesbrough Shopmobility Scheme on 01642 254545.

Parking for the disabled

Middlesbrough Borough Council is committed to providing high quality facilities for disabled motorists in Middlesbrough. The Council allows free parking without time limits for disabled badge holders in all its pay and display car parks and pay and display on street parking places.

This provision applies to all spaces in all types of parking places long, short and limited-stay, (excluding the private permit parking area on level 4a of Captain Cook Square Car Park) and not just in dedicated disabled bays.

Dedicated disabled bays are provided in all the main Council car parks as well as on street close to all the major town centre destinations.

Full information on disabled parking on the Middlesbrough Council website »

Car Park Map

Our car park map shows locations and details of facilities available. Please note this map includes Council car parks as well as private car parks which do not have the provision listed above.To download the map click here »

Accessible Taxis

Able Cabs, Middlesbrough - Tel: 07931 442149
A&I Taxis, Middlesbrough - Tel: 0789 4579114
A&S Wheelchair Taxis, Middlesbrough - Tel: 07930 529683
Acklam Taxis, Middlesbrough - Tel: 07831 446577

Text-a-Taxi Service for Deaf People

Text name, the address to be picked up from, time and destination. You will receive a message straight back to confirm when a taxi will be available. The service runs round the clock, seven days a week.

When the driver arrives to pick you up s/he will ring your mobile so that the light/vibration will notify you s/he is there.

Blueline Taxis - Tel: 0795 87 300 76 - Covering Middlesbrough.

Royal Cars - Tel: 0793 300 2470 - Covering Middlesbrough, Stockton, Thornaby and Hartlepool.
Royal Cars can also be faxed for a taxi at 01642 704 199. Please include the same information as texts.

Extra Mile Survey

If you use a wheelchair or have another disability, push a pram and/or have small children we’d like to hear from you about local attractions, events, restaurants, pubs and more where you have had a particularly good experience.

We want to do our part to help promote those who go the extra mile!

Find a copy of the form on page 22 of the Spring 2010 issue of Middlesbrough News or click here for a pdf download »

Accessibility Information for Top Attractions

Below you will find accessibility information for some of Middlesbrough's top attractions.

The Captain Cook Birthplace Museum

The Captain Cook Birthplace Museum has 2 lifts that allow for wheelchair and pram access to every floor in the museum.

There is an orange disabled badge holder’s parking bay at the front of the museum. Access to this car park is via The Grove entrance to Stewart Park.

A wheelchair is available for use by visitors. Prior notice is preferred.

A disabled toilet is located on the ground floor.

The Captain Cook Birthplace Museum is located in Stewart Park, Marton in Middlesbrough Postcode: TS7 8AT. Tel: 01642 311211

Dorman Museum

The Dorman Museum offers full disabled access throughout.

Wheelchair and pram access is available to all floors.

Our lift can accommodate up to three wheelchairs and three carers or teachers at any one time.

There are 2 disabled parking bays immediately in front of the museum and the museum can be accessed via a ramp to the automated front door.

A wheelchair is available for use by visitors, prior notice is preferred.

Male, female and disabled public toilets are located on the ground floor and there are clearly marked fire escapes to the front & rear of the building.

The Dorman Museum is located at Linthorpe Road, adjacent to Albert Park in Middlesbrough Postcode: TS5 6LA, Tel: 01642 813781.

Click here for more detailed information for the Dorman Museum »

MFC - Middlesbrough Football Club at Riverside Stadium

Middlesbrough Football Club strives to make football accessible to all.

If you or someone you know has a disability and would like to come to the Riverside Stadium, please contact their Disabled Liaison Officer, Simon Macdonald on 0844 499 1234, or email disability@mfc.co.uk.

Click here for information on facilities at Riverside Stadium for Middlesbrough Football Club »

mima - Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art

mima is fully accessible. Wheelchairs are available on request. Disabled parking is available at the gallery. Blue badges and motorcycles are FREE. For further information please contact mima reception on 01642 726 720 (Reception available during gallery opening times).

mima is located at Centre Square in Middlesbrough Postcode: TS1 2AZ, Tel: 01642 726 720.

Middlesbrough Theatre

The Theatre can accommodate up to six wheelchairs per performance, one free ticket will be issued for each companion. We regret that access to the bar is via stairs: drinks may be ordered and collected from the ground floor kiosk.

An infra-red system is available for the hard of hearing using discreet headsets, which are available from the box office.

Please let us know your requirements at the time of booking to ensure you have a comfortable visit.

Middlesbrough Theatre is located on The Avenue in Linthorpe in Middlesbrough Postcode: TS5 6SA, Tel: 01642 815181.

Middlesbrough Town Hall

The Main Hall can accommodate up to 10 wheelchairs and the Crypt up to 6 wheelchairs. One free ticket is available for each companion. Please inform the Box Office at time of booking. Please note that the lifts will only hold 330 pounds. Please bear this in mind if you are the owner of a heavy wheelchair.

Middlesbrough Town Hall is located on Albert Road in Middlesbrough Postcode: TS1 2QQ, Tel: 01642 729729.

Download: Latest Issue of Disability Matters

Disability Matters: January-February 2010

Disability Matters: Issue 52 - January-February 2010 In this issue: Soft play nights, Text Alerts for families with children with disabilities, and plenty of great activities

Useful Links

Parking and Public Toilet Facilities

RADAR Accessible Toilet Facilities

Durham Tees Valley Airport Access Map PDF

Durham Tees Valley Airport information for disabled passengers and passengers with reduced mobility

Newcastle Airport Access Map PDF

Your Level Best - Guide to accessible restaurants - Please confirm information by calling restaurants prior to your visit.

Middlesbrough Deaf Centre

Middlesbrough F.C. Disabled Supporters Association