Aquascope de Virelles

ATTENTION: the Access-i analysis concerns the Aquascope only. For visits to ponds and other sites, please contact us by e-mail at info@aquascope.be

AT AQUASCOPE, AN EXPERIENCE FOR EVERYONE
Venture into a unique experience at the Aquascope in Virelles, gateway to the Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse National Park, for an unforgettable journey from the depths to the surface of the pond. The museum area takes you to the heart of the pond, where you can explore the aquariums housing different aquatic species, the different ‘outfits’ of the dragonfly, the journey of the eel... Our film will allow you to follow the changing life of the pond through the seasons.

Then set off to explore the pond and its surroundings: under the water, on the water's edge, from a lookout perched in the trees. Along the way, don't miss the chance to admire the birds from our various covered observatories, our bees (from the educational apiary), or make a diversion to the Jardin de Millepertuis, an ethnobotanical garden dedicated to the uses of plants. You'll also discover how you can help protect nature and the environment.

Finally, relax on our terrace with a panoramic view of the pond and playground. The Aquascope canteen offers a variety of dishes prepared with local and fair-trade products to enhance your day in this superb natural setting.

The aquascope is the starting point for a nature walk around the Virelles ponds. The building, access to it and the surrounding area have been completely refurbished to provide the best possible facilities for people with special needs. A footbridge providing direct access from the road has been built.

The museum, restaurant and shop are now accessible to all. The walk itself is partially accessible, depending on your needs. The Aquascope staff will be happy to discuss this with you.

Strong points

Staff

There is staff available to help negotiate obstacles.
There is staff available to direct and guide.
The staff has received training for the reception of persons with special needs.

Safety

The structure of the location is simple and makes it possible to find the way and orient oneself easily.

Parking

It is possible to drop a person off near the entrance.

Identification

The building is easy to find.

Points of attention

Field of analysis

The building’s park has not been analysed.
The restaurant has not been analysed.

The entire building and the services on offer are accessible. To find out about the park's accessibility, it is best to contact the on-site team directly (info@aquascope.be).

A short film is shown in a small cinema accessible via an adapted system.

Strong points

Parking

There is at least 1 reserved parking space less than 100 metres from the entrance.
The reserved parking spaces are properly indicated.
The reserved parking spaces are sufficiently big and horizontal.
It is possible to drop a person off near the entrance.
The signage makes it possible to find the way and orient oneself easily.

Access road from the car park

All the transit areas are sufficiently large.
There is no step to negotiate.
The floor is regular and free of obstacles.
The floor is hard.

Access road from the street

All the transit areas are sufficiently large.
There is no step to negotiate.
The floor is regular and free of obstacles.
The floor is hard.

Entrance

The building is easy to identify.
The entrance is easy to identify.
The main entrance is accessible.
There is no step in the entrance.
The opening of the door is automatic.
The staff sees the persons who arrive and can offer assistance.
The entrance device is easy to use.
The passage width of the doors measures at least 85 cm.
The doors can be easily crossed in autonomy.

Home

The payment device is easy to use.
There is a mobile payment device.
The free space in front of the counter is sufficiently big.
The counter is at the correct height.
The lighting is sufficient and continuous.
There is staff available to help negotiate obstacles.
There is staff available to direct and guide.
The staff has received training for the reception of persons with special needs.

Horizontal circulation

The floor is hard.
The floor is regular and free of obstacles.
The width of the hallways is sufficient.
All the transit areas are sufficiently large.
The lighting is sufficient and continuous.
The structure of the location is simple and makes it possible to find the way and orient oneself easily.

Vertical circulation

There is a lift.
A sufficiently large lift serves all the floors open to the public.
The lift can be used in autonomy.

Adapted sanitary

The adapted toilet is easy to find.
An adapted toilet is available, well signalled and easy to use.
There is an accessible sink in the adapted toilet.
The passage width of the doors measures at least 85 cm.
The doors can be easily crossed in autonomy.

Exposition

The majority of the content of the exhibition is accessible and visible.

Dining room

All the tables allow a correct positioning in a wheelchair.
The width of circulations is sufficient.
Service is provided at the table by the staff.
The staff is available to help people sit at a table, choose, serve themselves, pay...

Theater/Cinema

The theatre has reserved spaces that offer a good visual comfort.

The entire building and the services on offer are accessible. To find out about the park's accessibility, it is best to contact the on-site team directly (info@aquascope.be).

A short film is shown in a small cinema accessible via an adapted system.

Strong points

Parking

There is at least 1 reserved parking space less than 50 metres from the entrance.
There is at least 1 parking space less than 50 metres from the entrance.
The reserved parking spaces are properly indicated.
The reserved parking spaces are sufficiently big and horizontal.
It is possible to drop a person off near the entrance.

Access road from the car park

All the transit areas are sufficiently large.
There is no step to negotiate.
The floor is regular and free of obstacles.
The floor is hard.

Access road from the street

All the transit areas are sufficiently large.
There is no step to negotiate.
The floor is regular and free of obstacles.
The floor is hard.

Entrance

The entrance is easy to identify.
The staff sees the persons who arrive and can offer assistance.
The building is easy to identify.
The main entrance is accessible.
There is no step in the entrance.
The passage width of the doors measures at least 85 cm.
The doors can be easily crossed in autonomy.

Home

Seats are available near the reception.
Seat sticks are available.
The lighting is sufficient and continuous.
There is staff available to help negotiate obstacles.
There is staff available to direct and guide.
The staff has received training for the reception of persons with special needs.

Horizontal circulation

Circulation is easy everywhere.
The floor is hard.
The floor is regular and free of obstacles.
The width of the hallways is sufficient.
All the transit areas are sufficiently large.
There are seats along the pathway.
The passage width of the doors measures at least 85 cm.
The structure of the location is simple and makes it possible to find the way and orient oneself easily.

Vertical circulation

The staircases are equipped with handrails on both sides.
There is a lift.
A lift serves all the floors open to the public.
There is a grab bar in the lift.

Adapted sanitary

There is a toilet with grab bars and it is easy to use.
There is a sink in the adapted toilet.
The adapted toilet is easy to find.
The passage width of the door measures at least 85 cm.
The doors can be easily crossed in autonomy.

Exposition

The majority of the content of the exhibition is accessible.
There are seats in every space of the exhibition.
Seat sticks are available.

Dining room

The staff is available to help people sit at a table, choose, serve themselves, pay...
The width of circulations is sufficient.
Service is provided at the table by the staff.

The entire building and the services on offer are accessible. For access to the park, it is best to contact the on-site team directly (info@aquascope.be).

A short film is shown in a small cinema. The images in this film are mainly illustrative. Clear information is given verbally.

Guide dogs are allowed in the building. For access to the ponds site, it is best to ask the staff on site.

Strong points

Access road from the car park

Circulation is free from obstacles.

Access road from the street

Circulation is free from obstacles.

Entrance

The entrance is easy to identify.
The entrance is located in the logical continuation of the pathway.
The opening of the door is automatic.
The staff sees the persons who arrive and can offer assistance .
The doors can be easily crossed in autonomy.

Home

The reception is located in front of the entrance.
The reception is in a quiet environment.
The reception has no glass partition.
The staff sees the persons coming into the building and can assist them.
The reception is located in the logical continuation of the pathway.
The location is structured in a simple and intuitive way.
There is staff available to help negotiate obstacles.
There is staff available to direct and guide.
The staff has received training for the reception of persons with special needs.

Horizontal circulation

Circulation is free from obstacles.
The location is structured in a simple and intuitive way.
The doors can be easily crossed in autonomy.

Vertical circulation

A lift serves all the floors open to the public.
The staircases have at least one handrail.
The staircases are secured by warning tiles.

Exposition

Adapted guided tours are organised upon reservation.

Dining room

The staff is available to help people : sit at a table, choose, serve themselves, pay...
The service is at the table.

Theater/Cinema

The staff is available to help people settle in the room.

Points of attention

Theater/Cinema

There is no audio description.

The entire building and the services on offer are accessible. For access to the park, it is best to contact the on-site team directly (info@aquascope.be).

A short film is shown in a small cinema. The images in this film are mainly illustrative. Clear information is given verbally.

Guide dogs are allowed in the building. For access to the ponds site, it is best to ask the staff on site.

The stairs directly accessible from the entrance at the end of the footbridge are relatively long and can make you feel dizzy.

A lift serves all floors of the building and access is also possible via the ground floor.

Strong points

Access road from the car park

There are no obstacles.
There is contrast.

Access road from the street

Circulation is free from obstacles.
The path contrasts with its environment.

Entrance

The entrance is easy to identify.
The entrance is located in the logical continuation of the pathway.
The opening of the door is automatic.
The staff sees the persons who arrive and can offer assistance.
The lighting is sufficient and continuous.

Home

The staff sees the persons coming into the building and can assist them.
The reception is located in front of the entrance.
The reception is located in the logical continuation of the pathway.
The lighting is sufficient and continuous.
There is staff available to help negotiate obstacles.
There is staff available to direct and guide.
The staff has received training for the reception of persons with special needs.

Horizontal circulation

Circulation is free from obstacles.
The glass walls and doors are secured by a contrasting visual marking.
Circulation is free from obstacles.
The furniture contrasts with its environment.
The contrast between the floor and the walls facilitates circulation.
The lighting is sufficient and continuous.
The structure of the location is simple and makes it possible to find the way and orient oneself easily.

Vertical circulation

A lift serves all the floors.
The lift can be used in autonomy or staff is available to help.
The lighting is sufficient and continuous in the staircases.
The stair steps are contrasting.
The staircases are equipped with at least one secure handrail.
The lighting is sufficient and continuous.

Exposition

The majority of the works are visible at close range.
Adapted guided tours are organised upon reservation.
The lighting is sufficient.

Dining room

The staff is available to help people sit at a table, choose from the menu, serve themselves, pay...
The service is at the table.
The lighting is sufficient and continuous.

Theater/Cinema

The lighting of the steps is not blinding.
The staff is available to help people settle in the room.

The site is essentially visual. It is advisable to contact the site's staff for any adjustments (info@aquascope.be).

Strong points

Parking

The car park is freely accessible.

Entrance

The entrance is easy to find.
The building is easy to find.
The staff sees the persons who arrive and can offer assistance.
The opening hours are displayed next to the door.
The rates are displayed next to the door.

Home

The reception is open, well lit and allows lip reading.
The reception is easy to find and close to the entrance.
The institution can be contacted by email.
The staff has received training for the reception of deaf persons.
The rates are displayed in the reception.
The premises are easy to understand.
The lighting is sufficient and continuous.
There is staff available to help negotiate obstacles.
There is staff available to direct and guide.
The staff has received training for the reception of persons with special needs.

Wireless

It is possible to connect to the mobile networks, 3G or 4G.

Vertical circulation

The floors of the building are well marked.
There is a visual display of the floors in the lift.

Light

The lighting is sufficient and allows lip reading.

Adapted sanitary

It is possible to see whether a toilet is occupied or free.
The toilets are easy to find.

Exposition

The displayed content is mainly visual.
The films and videos are subtitled.
The lighting is sufficient and allows lip reading.
The lighting is sufficient and continuous all through the visit.

Dining room

There are round or oval tables for X persons.
The lighting is sufficient and allows lip reading.

Theater/Cinema

All of the program is offered with subtitling adapted to deaf persons.

The site is essentially visual. It is advisable to contact the site's staff for any arrangements (info@aquascope.be).

The site is used by schools. Reception can be noisy at times.

Strong points

Parking

The car park is freely accessible.

Entrance

The entrance is easy to find.
The building is easy to find.
The staff sees the persons who arrive and can offer assistance.
The opening hours are displayed next to the door.
The rates are displayed next to the door.

Home

The reception is open, well lit and allows lip reading.
The reception is easy to find and close to the entrance.
The institution can be contacted by email.
The rates are displayed in the reception.
The premises are easy to understand.
There is staff available to help negotiate obstacles.
There is staff available to direct and guide.
The staff has received training for the reception of persons with special needs.

Vertical circulation

The floors of the building are well marked.
There is a visual display of the floors in the lift.

Light

The lighting is sufficient and allows lip reading.

Adapted sanitary

It is possible to see whether a toilet is occupied or free.

Exposition

The environment is calm.
The displayed content is mainly visual.
The films and videos are subtitled .
The lighting is sufficient and continuous all through the visit.

Dining room

The lighting is sufficient and allows lip reading.

Theater/Cinema

An induction loop is available in all the rooms.
All of the program is offered with subtitling in X.
The lighting is sufficient and continuous during the arrival et exit.

Points of attention

Home

Depending on attendance, the reception can be very noisy.

Magnetic induction loop

There is no mobile induction loop.

Dining room

Depending on attendance, there can be a lot of noise.

The stairs directly accessible from the entrance at the end of the footbridge are relatively long and can make you feel dizzy.

The site is used by schools. The reception area can be noisy at times.

Strong points

Entrance

The entrance is easy to find.
The building is easy to find.
The staff sees the persons who arrive and can offer assistance.
The opening hours are displayed next to the door.
The rates are displayed next to the door.

Home

The reception is easy to find and close to the entrance.
There is staff available to help negotiate obstacles.
There is staff available to direct and guide.
The staff has received training for the reception of persons with special needs.

Vertical circulation

The floors of the building are well marked.
The lift is easy to use or staff is available to help.
There is an audio announcement in the lift.
There is an visual announcement in the lift.
The lighting is sufficient and continuous in the staircases.
The stair steps are contrasting.
The staircases are equipped with at least one secure handrail.
There is staff available to help negotiate obstacles.
There is staff available to direct and guide.
The staff has received training for the reception of persons with special needs.

Horizontal circulation

The location is well lit.
The structure of the location is simple and makes it possible to find the way and orient oneself easily.

Adapted sanitary

The toilets are easy to find.

Exposition

The adapted guided visits can be reserved by phone.
Guided visits adapted to children are organised.
An adapted visit is available upon prior request.
There is no need to by a ticket in advance.
The location is well lit.
The lighting is sufficient and continuous all through the visit.
Walk outside with animals that are viewed at close range.

Dining room

The lighting is sufficient and allows lip reading.
It is possible to pay in cash (coins and notes).
The location is well lit.
The staff is available to help people: sit at a table, choose in the menu, serve themselves, pay...