Access and Parking

Toy vehicle

General Access and Public Toilet Information  

Parents who have children with complex physical needs have to plan outings, even simple everyday ones, with care. Even a trip to a supermarket can present problems if your child uses a wheelchair or large buggy. Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council as well as local access groups produce sets of leaflets about access, which can be a useful starting point. They have details of a wide range of accessible places locally, including disabled toilets. They are also useful if, for instance, you want to find out which branch of your bank or building society has a ramp.

If you are on the internet, the charity Disability Nottinghamshire website contains information guides, peer support, consumer audits, outreach support and Radar keys in Nottinghamshire. Disabled Go is a website with access information for many towns around the country. The Rough Guide to Accessible Britain is a FREE guide to give you information on accessible days out, interesting places to visit, a handy tips guide and reviews.  

RADAR can supply keys through their website www.radarkeys.org, but they also have a National Key Scheme Guide that you can order which details accessible toilets and they have an alternative version in the form of the National Key Scheme App which is an iphone app that can be downloaded for those individuals who use a smartphone. 

It is always worth checking with the place you are going to because the information does get out of date, and sometimes the level of access described in leaflets can be misleading.

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Changing Places

Changing Places are toilets that provide enough space for disabled people and their carers, and the right equipment, including a height adjustable changing bench and a hoist.

Changing Places toilets include the following facilities:

  • a height adjustable changing bench and wash basin
  • a hoist system to lift people between wheelchairs and the toilet
  • enough space to ensure the bench and toilet can be approached from either side.

For Health and Safety slings are not provided. Customers are asked to bring their own.

There are 8 changing places toilets within Nottingham and Nottinghamshire:

  • Greyhound Street, just off the Old Market Square
  • Woolaton Park
  • Ken Martin Leisure Centre
  • The Mary Potter Centre, Gregory Boulevard
  • Nottingham Ice Centre and Capital FM Arena
  • Bramcote Leisure Centre
  • Djanogly Community Leisure Centre
  • Nottingham Contemporary Arts Centre

Keep up to date on all existing and future changing place toilets.

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Blue Badge scheme

This enables the holder to parking concessions to make it easier to park closer to your destination. You can use it in anybody's car, but it belongs to the child and is there to help them rather than the rest of the family. It is valid for three years.

Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County Councils administer the scheme and applies strict criteria; however it is always worth asking and explaining your mobility problems. Children are unlikely to get a blue badge if they are under two and, for children over two, it will depend on the degree of their disability. They will normally qualify if they are receiving the higher rate of the mobility part of Disability Living Allowance or are registered blind. To apply for a blue badge you need to contact either the City or County Council either by clicking on the link below or by using the telephone numbers detailed.

Nottingham City Council

Find details of the Blue Badge Scheme on the Nottingham City Council website
Telephone 0115 9156655

Nottinghamshire County Council

Find details of the Blue Badge Scheme on the Nottinghamshire County Council website
Telephone 08449 808080
Minicom 01623 434993

For further help and advice on benefits, blue badge scheme why not drop in to the Benefit Advice Session

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Disabled parking bay scheme

If your child has problems with getting around and has a blue badge, you may be entitled to a disabled parking bay outside your house as long as you do not already have off-street parking. You need to contact the Blue Badge department at the county and city councils by using the contact details above. It's important to note that, although it will be outside your house, the parking bay is available for use by anyone who has a blue badge.