Venue Description

Visitor information Admission is FREE and the Heritage Centre is accessible to all. (Please contact us if you require a quiet space or sensory regulation toys). We are delighted to welcome visitors to our small museum, located at Stoke Mandeville Stadium. There's no need to book, and it's free for individuals and families, simply pop by to explore our unique Paralympic sporting collection on display. Widely acknowledged as the birthplace of the Paralympic Movement, Stoke Mandeville Stadium is the home of the first National Paralympic Heritage Centre. Celebrating and exploring this unique history, the displays in our small museum showcase the determination, sportsmanship and vision that gave the world the Paralympic Games including: The life and work of Professor Sir Ludwig Guttmann. Key milestones in the journey from the 1948 Stoke Mandeville Games to the present day Paralympic Games. The development of wheelchair sports and Paralympic ceremonies. You are all very welcome.

Accessibility

The introduction panel explains exhibition access. There is level access throughout and all of the displays are accessible to wheelchair users. There are hand-held large print guides and Braille captions for the main text and object labels. There are a small number of touch objects. Audio guides are provided to some of the displays and include Audio Description. Films with speech have British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation and subtitles. The Dr Guttmann exhibit has an induction loop. There is a Visual Story available on the website. There is a Sensory Map available on the website and in the Heritage Centre. There is a Widget tour of the Heritage Centre available. There is a Virtual Tour of the Heritage Centre available on the website along with relaxation videos to help visitors prepare ahead of their visit.

Accessibility Guide

Accessibility Guide Link: https://www.paralympicheritage.org.uk/planning-your-visit

Accessible Performances

Accessible tours can be arranged for all our visitors. Please contact us to book.

Awards List

Sporting Heritage - Event of the Year 2022 - Online Meet the Paralympian Series Buckinghamshire Business Award - 2023 Winner - Digital Innovation Awards

Toilets

The toilets are fully accessible for manual and electric wheelchairs. There are handrails in place. Please ask at Reception about a toilet with changing facilities. Please be aware that the hand drying machines are very loud.

Staff

The Heritage Centre is generally unmanned but staff have been trained in disability awareness and basic Makaton and Audio Description and can be on hand if required. Please telephone before you visit to arrange. All displays are accessible to wheelchairs and have BSL interpretation on videos and Braille interpretation panels. We offer large print and Widget resources and tours for all. Please telephone or email us for more information.

Assistance dog facilities

Assistance dog exercise facilities

There is a green area and a dog bin in Stadium Approach, which is approximately 400m away.

Other assistance dog facilities

Assistance dogs are welcome and the cafe can provide water bowls.