Supporting your Access Needs | Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art

At a Glance

Level Access

Steps or a ramp lead to the main entrance and level access entrance on South Shore Rd.

Blue badge holders park free, contact security via the intercom on exit.

Lifts

Glass lifts with Braile buttons travel between Ground Floor and Level 6, saying and showing each floor number.

An alternative (not glass) lift is available if preferred. There's an accessible lift from the Hello desk to the upper Ground Floor area.

Hearing

There is a Hearing Loop system at the Hello Desk, inside Baltic Shop and Front Room. All Baltic Crew have disability awareness training.

Visual

Glass doors and full-height windows have contrast markings. Exhibition guides, labels and any floor maps in use, are available large print. Pick these up outside the gallery or from Baltic Crew.

Assistance Dogs / Animals

Trained and uniformed assistance dogs and welcomed. Water bowls for dogs are available on request.

Lockers

Lockers are available to store items such as bags and coats during your visit. Lockers cost £1, and are emptied at 5.55pm every day. Items cannot be left over-night.

Toilets

Toilets are available on every floor with the exception of Level 5, and all have level access. Female and male toilets are available on Ground Floor.

All stand-alone access toilets feature clos-o-mat toilets. Sanitary products are available for free upon request. Further details can be found below.

Baby Change

Singular baby changes are located on Ground Floor, Level 1 and Level 2. Baby change facilities are also available in both female and male bathrooms, on Ground Floor.

If you require free nappies, wet wipes or any other assistance speak to a member of Baltic Crew.

We offer the following accessibility facilities

Wheelchairs (booking advised)
Tri-wheel walkers (booking advised)
Adult changing facilities (booking advised)
Four-wheel mobility scooters (booking advised)
Accessible toilets on all floors, except Level 5
Baby changing facilities
All stand-alone access toilets feature clos-o-mat toilets
Large Print guides
Lifts to all floors
Subtitles on a selection of Baltic films available on Level 2
Magnilink print enlarger in Baltic Library (booking advised)
iMacs with built in access facilities in Baltic Library
Hearing loops are located at the Hello Desk, Baltic Shop and Front Room.
Braille, audiotape, descriptive tours, sign language interpreted tours, personal guidance, all available on request prior to your visit.
Online Accessibility Features
Exhibition Social Stories

What To Expect: A Visit To Baltic

Find out what to expect with this Visual Story guide - a guide with words and pictures, sometimes called a Social Narrative.

Here you’ll find our detailed accessibility guide

We can provide a pdf, word or printed version of this document on request. If you have any questions or would like to chat about your visit before coming, you can email us on myexperience@balticmill.com or call us on 0191 478 1810.

Download Accessibility Guide PDF (1.3 MB)

Let us know

If you have any queries or require assistance please telephone 0191 478 1810 or send us an email.

Customer Care and Support

A number of Baltic Crew have introductory BSL training and some are Dementia Friends.

If required, in the event of an emergency you will be assisted by staff either out of the building or to a safe refuge point.

Ticketing for Events

No proof of eligibility is required. Carers go to Baltic events for free. If you require a free carers ticket for a paid event please email communicationsteam@balticmill.com.

Tickets for events can be booked online here.

Visitor Toilets

There are toilets on every floor of Baltic, with the exception of Level 5. Female and male toilets are available on Ground Floor. All stand alone access toilets feature clos-o-mat toilets.

All floors have level access to the toilets. The width of the doors to enter the access toilets is 82cm. The stand alone toilet doors have a push button open function.

The height of the toilet from floor to seat is 45cm. There are fixed vertical and hinged horizontal grab rails adjacent to the toilet and grab rails beside the sink.

There are pull-cord alarms in all access toilets which can be activated if a visitor requires assistance.

All cubicles are well lit using fluorescent bulbs. The surface of the toilet floors is matt tiled.

All sinks include sensor type taps. Where fitted, overhead tracking hoists have a safe working load of 200kg / 440lbs.

The fire alarm includes an audible and a visible element which can be heard and seen from within the access toilets.

We have baby changes, located in Baltic’s Learning Lounge (Level 2), Event space (Level 1) and on the Ground Floor, where there is a singular baby change room as well as baby change facilities in both the female and male bathrooms. If you require nappies, wet wipes or any other assistance please ask at the Hello Desk or speak to a member of Baltic Crew who can assist with providing these for free.

Sanitary products are available for free upon request, please ask a member of Baltic Crew and they will be happy to provide these.

Specific toilet facilities are as follows:

Level 4: Access toilet with hoist

Level 3: Access toilet with hoist

Level 2: Access changing room with hoist and fold down bed, toilet with height adjustable sink

Level 1: 2 Access toilets with height adjustable sinks, Baby change room. Access toilet with hoist, Access shower room with toilet and adjustable sink

Ground Floor: Access changing room with hoist and fold down bed, toilet with height adjustable sink, Accessible toilet cubicles are also available within the gender specific toilets, Baby change room

Baltic Shop

Baltic Shop is located on the lower ground floor of the building and has level access from the main entrance. There are two doors into Baltic Shop; one located directly on the left as you enter the building, the other inside the building adjacent to the Hello Desk. The shop has a level floor throughout.

There are a number of different display units used in the shop to house books, magazines, cards and home-wares. These include free-standing and wall based units, in general these have a minimum of 100cm between them to allow access, and all areas of the shop are accessible, though there are some areas where a direct route between units is not possible. The highest units are 120cm.

There is a low counter area at the till and card readers are moveable. There is background music in the shop, which is played at a moderate level and can be switched off by staff, please let us know.There is a hearing loop system, and signage in place to make visitors aware of this.

Staff are always available to give assistance.

Plan Your Visit

Baltic and Baltic Shop are open Wednesday - Sunday, 10am-6pm. Drop in for free, no booking required.

Keep Baltic Free

We’ve stood for free entry for 22 years. Your donations will help us to safeguard the incredible free access to Baltic.

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