Great swimming opportunities for wheelchair users
4
4
Date of visit: March 2017
I have experience of challenges around: moving around
Overall Rating
Good
I visit this pool regularly with my Mum, who is almost entirely reliant on a wheelchair. The access to the pool is graduated and they have a pool chair which you can borrow so you can get into the pool. The staff are always very helpful and willing to lend floatation aids etc. It tends to be a quite quiet during the week, but with different kinds of users; children, 'serious' swimmers and disabled people (obviously some of these groups cross over; someone could be all three!). There are two disabled changing cubicles with showers. Where the water is shallow, they have a ledge to sit on, where there are bubble jets you can ask to be put on - the closest option to an accessible jacuzzi available locally. The only criticisms would be that the bar around the side of the pool is difficult to grab onto, and the locks aren't great on the cubicles; they can only be locked and unlocked from the inside, which isn't great if, like me, you're trying to combine privacy with safety.
Disabled Access In and Around
Good
Lift between floors; special chair for access into pool (see full review). I didn't pay much attention to the braille etc because that's not where my need are, so I wouldn't want to say either way.
Parking & Transport
Good
There is a large car park, with disabled spaces near the entrance, and good bus routes. However - Burntisland is not accessible by train to wheelchair users, as one side of the platform is only accessed via steps. (That's not really the pool's fault, hence the 4 star rating because otherwise it's great.)
Accessible Toilets
Average
Easy to find with space to manouvre/include a carer, but not super clean.
Staff
Excellent
Always on hand to make sure my Mum is safe and has everything she needs. They will also keep an ear out for her while she gets dressed, when I tend to go back into the pool for a while.
