Maison du Parc naturel des Plaines de l'Escaut

Car park

• There is at least one reserved parking space within 100 metres of the entrance.

• The reserved parking spaces are clearly marked, sufficiently large and level.

Access road from the car park

• All passageways are wide enough.

• There are no steps to negotiate.

• The floor is even and free of obstacles.

Entrance

• The building and entrance are easily identifiable.

• The main entrance is accessible ; there are no steps.

• The entrance is easy to use.

• Staff can see people arriving and can offer assistance.

Reception

• The payment system is easy to use.

• There is sufficient space in front of the counter. The counter is at a suitable height.

Horizontal movement

• There are no steps to negotiate.

• The floor is level and free of obstacles.

• Most passageways are wide enough.

Vertical movement

• A lift (platform lift) that is large enough serves all floors accessible to the public.

Adapted toilet

• The adapted toilet is easy to find.

• The adapted toilet is 142 cm deep. The free space outside the equipment is 140 x 200 cm.

• There is an accessible washbasin in the adapted toilet.

Entrance

• To open the door, press the button that activates the door opener. The door will open towards you : stay close to the button while the door is opening.

Horizontal movement

• Circulation on the floor is simple but not signposted. The tour takes place in a main corridor; only the ‘mushroom’ section is in the recess on your left. This area is winding and may be difficult for wheelchair users.

• The tour ends with a film. The exit is in the screening room. You can turn back at any time to take the lift. The exit is via an external walkway, which allows you to be immersed in nature. There are no steps to negotiate. The walkway is slightly sloped. If you have difficulty navigating slopes, please turn back and take the lift.

Vertical movement

• The lift has a swing door. The receptionist can assist you. It is located to the right of the ticket office in the recess.

• The width of the lift door is between 80 and 85 cm.

• The depth of the lift cabin is between 130 and 140 cm.

Exhibition

• Some areas are dimly lit.

Auditorium/cinema

• The auditorium does not have reserved seating.

Car park

• There is at least one reserved parking space within 50 metres of the entrance.

• Reserved parking spaces are clearly marked, sufficiently large and level.

Access road from the car park

• There are seats along the route.

• All passageways are wide enough.

• There are no steps to negotiate.

• The floor is even and free of obstacles.

Entrance

• The building and entrance are easily identifiable.

• The main entrance is accessible ; there are no steps.

• Staff can see people arriving and can offer assistance.

Reception

• Seating is available near the reception desk.

• Walking frames are available.

Horizontal movement

• There are no steps to negotiate.

• Circulation is easy throughout.

• The floor is even and free of obstacles.

• Most passageways are wide enough.

Vertical movement

• There is a lift (platform lift type).

• The stairs are equipped with handrails on both sides. They are safe.

Adapted toilet

• There is a toilet with grab bars, which is easy to find and use.

• There is a sink in the accessible toilet.

Exhibition

• Most of the exhibition content is accessible.

Entrance

• To open the door, press the button that activates the door opening mechanism. The door will open towards you : remain close to the button until it has opened completely.

Reception

• The reception is located more than 50 metres from the entrance.

Horizontal movement

• Circulation on the floor is simple but not signposted. The tour takes place in a main corridor. Only the ‘mushroom’ section is in the recess on your left. This area is winding. The tour ends with a film. The exit is in the projection room.

• The exit is via an external walkway, which allows you to be immersed in nature. There are no steps to negotiate. The walkway is slightly sloped. If negotiating slopes is difficult, please turn back and use the lift or stairs.

Exhibition

• Some areas are dimly lit.

Car park

• Parking spaces are available near the entrance.

Access road from the car park

• A handrail is available to guide you to the entrance. The old outdoor guide lines can be used as landmarks to locate the entrance.

Guide dogs

• Assistance dogs are welcome.

Entrance

• Staff can see people arriving and can offer assistance.

Reception

• The reception is opposite the entrance. It is quiet and not glass-fronted.

• Raised guide lines facilitate movement to the reception.

Horizontal movement

• Circulation on the upper floor is straightforward. The tour takes place in a main corridor. Only the ‘mushroom’ section is in the recess on your left. If you continue straight ahead, fabrics are hung to create a natural atmosphere.

• The exit is via the outdoor walkway, which allows you to be immersed in nature.

Vertical movement

• The stairs have at least one handrail and are secured by warning tiles.

Exhibition

• The layout ‘reproduces’ the natural environment. There are sculptures of animals and mushrooms that can be touched.

• The display cases and exhibits can be located with a cane.

Entrance

• The button to open the entrance door is not easy to find. As the door opens towards you, you need to stay close to the button until it is fully open.

Horizontal movement

• The tour ends with a film. The exit is in the screening room. You can turn back at any time to return to the stairs.

Exhibition

• There are no suitable educational materials available.

• The exhibition is not suitable as the content is mainly visual.

• The explanations are not in Braille. The audio guides do not start automatically.

Car park

• Parking spaces are available near the entrance.

Access road from the car park

• A handrail is available to guide visitors to the entrance. The old (contrasting) guide lines on the path leading to the entrance can be used as reference points to locate the entrance.

Entrance

• The entrance is easily identifiable.

• Staff can see arriving visitors and are available to assist.

Reception

• The reception is located opposite the entrance, in the logical continuation of the route.

• The reception area is in a quiet environment.

Horizontal movement

• Circulation on the floor is simple. The visit takes place in a main corridor. Only the ‘mushroom’ section is in the recess on your left. If you go straight ahead, fabrics are hung to create a natural atmosphere.

• The exit is via the external walkway, which allows you to be immersed in nature.

Vertical movement

• The lift can be used independently or staff are available to assist.

• There is sufficient and continuous lighting on the stairs.

• The stairs are equipped with at least one safety handrail.

Exhibition

• The setting ‘reproduces’ the natural environment. There are sculptures of animals and mushrooms that can be touched.

Entrance

• The front door opening button is a contrasting colour. As the door opens towards you, you must remain close to the button until it has opened completely.

Horizontal movement

• The glass walls and doors are not secured by contrasting markings.

• The tour ends with a film. The exit is located in the screening room. You can turn back at any time to return to the stairs.

Exhibition

• The written explanations are difficult to read.

• The explanations are not in large print. The audio guides do not start automatically.

• Most of the works are displayed in glass cases.

• The objects in the museum space do not contrast with their surroundings.

• Some areas are dimly lit.

Car park

• Parking is free.

Entrance

• The building and entrance are easy to find.

• The entrance is easy to find and use.

• Staff can see people arriving and are available to help.

Reception

• The reception is easy to find and close to the entrance. It is open, well lit and suitable for lip reading.

• The establishment can be contacted by email.

Wi-Fi

• It is possible to connect to mobile networks, 4G or 5G.

Horizontal movement

• The exit is via an external walkway, allowing you to be immersed in nature.

Toilets

• The toilets are easy to find.

Entrance

• To open the door, press the button that activates the door opener.

Horizontal movement

• Circulation on the floor is simple but not signposted. The tour takes place in a main corridor. Only the ‘mushroom’ section is in the recess on your left. The tour ends with a film. The exit is in the screening room. You can turn back at any time to return to the stairs.

Exhibition

• The explanations are not easy to read and understand.

• Some areas are dimly lit. Lip reading and sign language are difficult in these areas.

• There is no suitable fire alarm system (light or vibrating).

Theatre/cinema

• There is no programme with sign language translation.

• The lighting is insufficient during set-up and exit.

Car park

• Parking is free.

Entrance

• The building and entrance are easy to find.

• The entrance is easy to find and use.

• Staff can see people arriving and can offer assistance.

Reception

• The reception is easy to find and close to the entrance. It is quiet, open, well lit and allows for lip reading.

• The establishment can be contacted by email.

Horizontal movement

• The exit is via an external walkway, allowing visitors to enjoy the natural surroundings.

Exhibition

• The environment is quiet.

• The exhibition content is mainly visual.

• A significant part of the exhibition content is diverse (touch, smell, sight, hearing).

• Written explanations are available.

Entrance

• To open the door, press the button that activates the door opening mechanism.

Reception

• Audio information is not accompanied by visual cues.

Horizontal movement

• Circulation on the upper floor is simple but not signposted. The tour takes place in a main corridor. Only the ‘mushroom’ section is in the recess on your left. The tour ends with a film. The exit is in the screening room. You can turn back at any time to return to the stairs.

Exhibition

• The explanations are not easy to read or understand.

• Some areas are dimly lit. Lip reading and sign language are difficult in these areas.

Auditorium/cinema

• There is no magnetic induction loop available.

• The lighting is insufficient during set-up and exit.

Entrance

• The building is easy to find.

• The entrance is easy to find and use.

• Staff can see people arriving and can offer assistance.

Reception

• The reception is easy to find and close to the entrance. It is located in a quiet area.

Horizontal movement

• The location is quiet.

• The exit is via an external walkway, which allows you to be immersed in nature. There are no steps to negotiate. The walkway is slightly sloped.

Vertical movement

• The lift is easy to use or staff are available to help.

• The floors of the building are clearly indicated on each landing.

• There is sufficient and continuous lighting in the stairways.

• The stairs are safe.

Toilets

• The toilets are easy to find.

Exhibition

• Guided tours suitable for children are available.

• There is no need to buy tickets in advance.

• Animals and mushrooms are sculpted and can be explored by touch.

Entrance

• To open the door, press the button that activates the door opener.

Horizontal movement

• Circulation on the floor is simple but not signposted. The tour takes place in a main corridor. Only the ‘mushroom’ section is in the recess on your left. The tour ends with a film. The exit is in the screening room. You can turn back at any time to return to the stairs.

Exhibition

• The explanations are not easy to read and understand.

• Some areas are dimly lit.