Beinn Eighe Visitor Centre parking

Beinn Eighe NNR Visitor Centre and Trails An 'Access for All' Case Study Parking click on picture to enlarge
1.	The car park and associated orientation point aim to provide a general feeling of welcome. The signage uses internationally recognised symbols as well as words. Symbols or pictures overcome communication barriers. The different parking areas are clearly signposted from the car park entrance.
2.	Larger parking bays are needed by people with limited mobility to get in and out of their cars with minimum difficulty. Bays need to be wide enough for car doors to be opened fully. 3600mm wide is recommended.
3.	The bays are identified as provision for disabled drivers/passengers and are as close as possible to the orientation point, as well as to the visitor centre and trails.
4.	If the car park surface is not sealed then stones should be no bigger than 10mm. Safe pedestrian access routes should be built into the car park design.
5.	Path surfaces on the approach to, and surrounding, the orientation point are accessible to all visitors. It incorporates seating under the shelter. The roof of the shelter covers not only the information panels but also the people reading them as well. The roof should be at least 2100mm from the ground so that it is not a hazard for people with a visual impairment.
6.	The orientation point features a large user-friendly map of the site with extensive use of colours and symbols. It provides details on the trails distances, likely walk time, rest points and viewpoints, as well as surface construction.
7.	Visitors can pick up simplified large scale, large print maps on laminated paper, both at the orientation point and in the visitor centre. These deliver a clear message on the levels of accessibility that people can expect around the site, using language readily understood by all visitors. The text describes routes rather than making judgments: it says the ‘surface is’ rather than ‘suitable for’.
8.	At Beinn Eighe we have assumed that visitors with severe visual impairment will be accompanied at all times and in all seasons, so the orientation point map does not feature tactile or Braille elements.