An Amazing Building For All Access Guide

• Introduction

Providing an inclusive, safe and enjoyable experience for all is very much at the heart of everything The Public does. The building was designed with extensive input from disability groups and we work with local groups to continue to improve your visit.

• Getting to The Public

There is parking for blue badge holders on New Street immediately opposite the main entrance. There are dropped curbs on the pavements to ensure wheelchair access to the building from the car park.

The Public is located ten minutes from Junction 1 of the M5 and approximately twenty minutes drive from Birmingham City Centre.

We are within five minutes of West Bromwich Bus and Metro Stations.

• Exploring The Public

The building is accessible via street-level automatic doors. Once inside the building all areas are accessible for visitors with wheelchairs. Access to all levels is either by large wheelchair accessible lifts or a gentle sweeping ramp weaving its way throughout the building. We have a wheelchair for loan to visitors who need to borrow one.
Assistance dogs are welcome and we are happy to provide water for them.

The Reception desk is always staffed with a low level area and an induction hearing loop.

There are other staff located around the building to help you. They can all explain the current programme or help you find your way around. Please ask if you have any additional access needs. All staff have been trained to be aware of access needs.

We run a monthly tours programme with general tours at 11am on third Thursday of the month and audio described tours at 2pm on third Thursday of the month.

Some of our art has been either made by artists with disabilities or chosen for its accessibility using different senses so that there is something for everyone.

• Enjoying events at The Public

Advance booking is always recommended so that are staff can provide assistance where required. Tickets are not numbered or reserved so please let us know when you book if you will be coming with a carer or need a place for a wheelchair so that we can reserve a seat for you.

Complimentary tickets are offered to companions assisting customers with access needs.

The Theatre is fitted with an infra–red hearing loop that is accessible to both audiences and performers. This system requires the user to obtain a headset or hearing aid necklace from the Reception Desk prior to the performance / event.

Should you wish to take your guide dog into any performances, please advise us at the time of booking and we will keep the seat adjacent free. We would be happy to look after your guide dog during a performance should you prefer.

Should you wish to receive a large print version of our programme please call 0121 533 7161.

Please contact the box office on 0121 533 7161 for further information or to book tickets.

The box office is open 9am – 6pm Monday to Saturday and from 11am – 3pm on Sunday.

• Facilities

There are accessible toilets on every level and at two points of the ramp.

We now have a Changing Places toilet with hoist and changing bed available on Level 3. On Mondays and Tuesdays when the gallery is not open please ask at the Reception Desk for staff to call lift for Level 3. The toilet is operated by a radar key. Users will need to bring their own sling. The maximum weight that the hoist can take is 200kg. For more information about Changing Places toilets please visit the website www.changing-places.org.

The café is located on the ground floor and is easily accessible by wheelchair. Café staff will bring your order to your table.

• Website

It is our aim for www.thepublic.com to comply with guidelines issued by the Web Accessibility Initiative and those outlined in the Disability Discrimination Act. If you discover that the device or screen reader that you are using does not work correctly or efficiently with our website, please contact us at info_public@sandwell.gov.uk.

• Happy to Help

We are committed to constantly improving our services for all of our visitors and customers. We are always pleased to receive feedback to help us improve facilities.

• To contact us:

Telephone: 0121 533 7161
Email: info_public@sandwell.gov.uk

We look forward to welcoming you soon.