Download this guide as docx

Welcome

The focus of The D-Day Story is the liberation of Europe from Nazi Germany occupation. It is told using the personal possessions and words of the people who took part.

Stunning imagery, audio-visual presentations and hands-on interactives help to bring the story to life.

Visitors with disabilities were involved in creating our displays. The museum is wheelchair accessible. There are free 'Quick and Easy' guides to the museum to borrow. We have tactile models and maps designed for blind and partially sighted visitors. Each month we hold a 'Chilled out museum' for vistors with autism. 

 

 

Front of The D-Day Story from Clarence Esplanade

Level access

The main entrance has level access.

There is level access from the main entrance to:

Main exhibitionFront deskThe D-Day Story cafeThe D-Day Story shop

Hearing

The fire alarm has flashing lights.
We have a hearing loop in throughout the venue, providing coverage of the majority of the museum.
Some staff have disability awareness training.

Visual

The walls and the doors have high colour contrast.
Some parts of the venue have low lighting.
We have display information in audio, braille and large print.

General

We have a concessionary rate for disabled visitors.
We have a complimentary ticket policy for personal assistants.
Some staff have disability awareness training.
We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

Getting here

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/D-Day+Museum/@50.779641,-1.0916007,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x48745d8e4fd4f383:0xee160bf63c4ab9c2!8m2!3d50.779641!4d-1.089412
Clarence Esplanade
Portsmouth
Hampshire
PO5 3NT

Travel by public transport

You can get to The D-Day Story by bus, train and boat or ferry.
On the corner of Clarendon Road and Palmerston Road, a 10 minute walk from the Museum. The bus stop is 0.4 miles / 0.6 km from The D-Day Story.
The nearest train station is Portsmouth and Southsea. The train station is 1.5 miles / 2.4 km from The D-Day Story.
The nearest port is Portsmouth International Port. The port is 2.7 miles / 4.3 km from The D-Day Story.

For visitors travelling from the Isle of Wight, Southsea Hoverport is 0.6 miles away.

You can get a taxi with Aqua Cars by calling 02392 654 321. The taxi company has a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

Parking

We have a car park. There are accessible parking spaces. Parking is not free.
There is a drop-off point at the main entrance. The drop-off point does not have a dropped kerb.
From the car park to the entrance, there is level access.

The path from the car park is wider than 2000mm at all points along the route. There is a slight gradient leading up to the front of the museum.

Front of the museum from Clarence Esplanade showing statue of General Montgomery

Arrival

Path to main entrance

From the street to the main entrance, there is level access.
The path is 1700mm wide, or more.
The path is sloped.

Main entrance

The main entrance has level access.
The main door is sliding and automatic.
The door is 2000mm wide.

There are granite blocks along the front of the main entrance to the building, they are 430mm high and there is a 1700mm wide gap between them. The blocks do not contrast clearly with the pavement. There is a slight gradient from the bollards to the front door of the museum.

 

Getting around inside

Visual Impairment - General Information

We have high colour contrast between walls and doorframes.
Some parts of the venue have low lighting.

Ticket/ information desk

Front desk

From the main entrance to the desk, there is level access. The desk has a low section.

The desk is situated in a large atrium area, there are no barriers or corridors between the front door and the desk. The low section is situated on the left hand side of the desk and the clearance between the desk and the floor is 700mm.

Things to See and Do

We have a concessionary rate for disabled visitors.
We have a complimentary ticket policy for personal assistants.
We have performances with: captioned, British Sign Language interpreted, relaxed and touch tour.
We have display information in: audio, braille and large print.

Main exhibition

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 1320mm wide, or more. Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.
There is a hearing loop.
Videos have subtitles.

The light level drops as you enter display areas. Most areas have low light levels, apart from the 'Making it' gallery. The displays can be crowded when the museum is busy.

The displays areas 'Preparation', 'Ready to Go' and 'D-Day and the Battle of Normandy' have loud video and audio.

'Legacy' and 'Overlord Embroidery' have touchscreens devices that play audio tracks, but generally this the quietest area of the museum.

The majority of floors are completely level and all ramps are designed for wheelchair users.

The majority of paths through the museum displays are 1,500mm or wider. There are some narrower areas but there are alternative paths through the displays.

The majority of turning circles in the exhibition are at least 1,500mm.

There are no low level barriers or trip hazards in any of the displays.

There are no internal doors in the museum displays. If there is a doorway between one gallery and another, it will be at least 1,300mm wide.

All activities and text in the displays have been designed to be viewed from a wheelchair.

All corners and joints in the displays have smooth edges.

Every exhibition gallery apart from one (‘Battle of Normandy’) has seating with arm rests. The seating is 620mm high with low arm rests.

We have four touchable models and two maps that have descriptions written in Braille.

The fonts used in the exhibition are at least 20pt or above. On most of the display panels there is a clear contrast between the writing and the background colour.

There is a clear contrast between the colour of display plinths and the floor, although light levels are low in the museum displays.

There are no low level barriers or trip hazards in any of the displays.

Each month we hold a ‘Chilled out museum’ for visitors who would like a more relaxed experience. We turn the lights up and sound down in the museum. See our website for more details.

Shop

The D-Day Story shop

From the main entrance to the shop, there is level access.

The shop is in the main atrium area opposite the front desk. Stands are placed so that there is room to turn a wheelchair between them.

Place to eat and drink

The D-Day Story cafe

From the main entrance to the dining area, there is level access. To get to a table, there are no steps.
The route through the dining area is 800mm wide, or more.
There is no background music.
We cater for vegetarian and gluten free (celiacs) specific diets.

Sugar and lactose free drinks are available. Dietary needs can be catered for with advance notice.

Staff are happy to help with carrying trays and bringing food out to customers if required.

Getting around outside

Customer care support

Accessibility equipment

We provide wheelchairs. Wheelchairs are free.
We have a hearing loop in throughout the venue, providing coverage of the majority of the museum.
Assistance dogs are welcome. There is a park and green space (Castle Field) within 100 metres of the museum where you can take them for a break

Emergency evacuation procedures

We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.
The fire alarm has flashing lights.

Customer care support

Some staff have disability awareness training.
Guide info
Any information, comments and views made available to users via this Accessibility Guide are provided directly from third party business operators. VisitEngland and VisitScotland do not endorse or validate this information. Any reliance on this Accessibility Guide is at your own risk. This guide is not intended to be a substitute for users making their own checks, inquiries and investigations directly with the business operators prior to making any booking or visiting the venue.