Sensory Trust has over twenty years' experience of reviewing sites, from underground tunnels to treetop canopies, heritage to contemporary and small to large scale. We can look at a specific issue like visitor information, or at all aspects of site accessibility. We also carry out reviews to support development and funding plans.
Our audits and reviews use the Sensory Trust's Access Chain, a tool we developed to ensure that access plans address all part of the visitor experience, from a decision to visit, to arrival and parking, use of information and enjoyment of the place itself, and leaving for home.
Why do an access review?
A review is an important first step for anyone planning a new venue or making improvements to an existing one. It will help identify priorities for site improvement works, from easy low-cost fixes to more substantial changes. A review can support funding bids and development plans and provide material for visitor information.
Our access reviews will:
- identify barriers to access and recommend actions to remove, adapt or avoid them.
- recommend ways to enhance and diversify the visitor experience.
- prioritise low-cost improvements that can be made easily and quickly, as well as more significant capital works.
- help you avoid costly retrofits and remedial works.
- show what you are already doing well so that staff and visitors are aware of your commitment and what it means in practice.
What we offer
Outline review: This involves a half-day site survey and focuses on outline recommendations for improvements. It can look in outline at your whole venue or focus on specific issues. It is followed by a brief report summarising our recommendations.
Detailed review: This involves a detailed review of your whole site or specific issues e.g. visitor information. It typically takes a day or two of site survey, although this depends on the size and complexity of your venue. This is followed by a report with our recommendations for improvements.
Desk review: This review of designs and plans is often associated with new project development. We can comment on designs at any stage from concept to detailed design and provide commentary for funding and design documents.
Contact us to outline your requirements and we will be pleased to explore how we can best help you.
Examples of our access reviews
Our reviews help ensure that public spaces are welcoming to people of all ages and disabilities. They involve site surveys and where possible consulting with people with different disabilities to better understand the barriers impacting visitors. Examples range from public parks, such as Croyland Park in Wellingborough, to private gardens such as The Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall.
Eden Project is an internationally renowned visitor attraction attracting millions of visitors from around the world. We have worked together since its opening in 2001, undertaking regular reviews and providing advice.
We are delighted to have helped Eden receive national Awards for accessibility in recognition of a sustained commitment to enhancing access. From big to small scale, wheelchair-accessible buses to water bowls for assistance dogs, the venue continues to work hard to enhance its welcome to visitors of all ages and disabilities.
Our reviews of historic sites balance access improvements with heritage conservation. They include Luxulyan Valley World Heritage Site, Tintagel and Wheal Martyn China Clay Museum in Cornwall, Brunel Museum in London and Crich Tramway Village and Barrow Hill Roundhouse Museum in Derbyshire.
