Venue Description

The Whitworth is back after a £15 million development that has transformed our gallery and fully integrated us with our surrounding park. Ever since we first opened in 1889, we have been a gallery in a park - a space to learn and to try new things, a place to bring friends and family, and a gallery where, for a while at least, you can escape the busy city on our doorstep. We are committed to the widest possible access of our collections and spaces. To us, everyone has the right to access and engage with art and to feel welcomed and valued. Our building and public spaces are 100% physically accessible to our visitors. New lifts to all floors will guarantee our visitors have access to all our exhibition and public spaces. Our meeting rooms and Grand Hall are fitted with hearing loops and large print is available throughout. Our Visitor Team is always on hand to help and lead a variety of guided general, BSL and Audio Plus tours 7 days a week.

Accessibility

The gallery is fully accessible, with new and improved facilities for all of our visitors. There is level access from Denmark Road to the new park entrance, with shallow gradient ramps to the gallery entrance on Oxford Road. Main doors open automatically, with lifts to each floor.

Access Statement

Access Statement Link: http://www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk/visit/access/

Accessible Performances

We have signed events, talks and tours.

Awards List

RIBA North West Regional Award Accredited Visitor Attractions Quality Assurance Scheme (VAQAS) Museum of the Year Finalist 2015 (in progress)

Toilets

We have fully accessible toilets located at our Oxford road and park side entrance. These are accessible completely step-free via the lift.

Staff

Our Visitor Team is fully trained in a variety of access areas. As part of their induction and general development, we provide the following: Disability Awareness - Visual, physical and hearing bespoke to the gallery Understanding Learning difficulties Demential Friends Equality and Diversity British sign language introduction course Blind/Visual impairment & Audio Description workshop Mental Health Awareness

Assistance dog facilities

Assistance dog exercise facilities

Dogs are free to use our surrounding park

Other assistance dog facilities

We have water bowls available