Providing access and facilities for the disabled is an important issue and hence below we look at how some of the main exhibition centres in the UK are fairing in terms of catering to the needs of disabled visitors. Ensuring that disabled people have full access to all areas at an exhibition is important. Access needs to include not only the main exhibition halls, but also areas such as the place where the public transport arrives and departs from, toilets and also dining areas. Provisions for the disabled need to include suitable solutions for people with sight and speech impediments, in addition to for people who are wheelchair bound. Below we look at two of the main UK exhibition venues, and the results are interesting.

The Excel Exhibition Centre, London, rates very highly, with this relatively new
building designed to meet the needs of disabled people. The Excel Centre has parking spaces for disabled people, with walkways rather than stairs leading to the main centre, with wheelchair ramps and automated doors leading into the centre.

Inside the Excel Centre, the floors are spacious and level with non-slip flooring; stairs and ramps all have handrails; lifts have Braille and control panels that are located low down for easy reach from wheelchairs. The centre also has pictured signs so that partially sighted people can find their way more easily. There are also disabled toilets, wheelchair rental and many more things to meet the needs of disabled visitors at the Excel Centre.

The NEC Exhibition Centre in Birmingham also seems to do a lot to aid disabled visitors. The NEC is accessible from the International railway station by a linked bridge, whilst all areas of the exhibition centre are wheelchair accessible by lift and ramp. The main entrances have automatic doors and outside, there are parking spaces for disabled people and wheelchair friendly, park and ride shuttles. Wheelchairs can be hired at the centre. Most of the toilets are disabled friendly.

The NEC helps people with hearing and visual impairments with an audio system that has speakers throughout the centre and large graphical signs, in addition to textual signs. Impressively, the NEC also has a special Telephone Ticket Line for disabled visitors on: (0121 782 3555) when booking tickets, so that you can discuss your needs. Finally, the NEC has an NEC committee who meet regularly to discuss the needs of disabled visitors