Dartmoor Zoological Society

missymum

04 Jun 2023

Difficult and Unawareness

2

2

Date of visit: June 2023

I have experience of challenges around: a hidden impairment and moving around.

Overall Rating

Poor

I booked my tickets online, followed the disabled parking signs and pulled up in front of the closed gates which lead there. After no help from gesturing politely at the receptionist, I struggled out of my car in pain from the drive to walk up a steep slope to the desk. The receptionist took my name only, didn’t need to see my ticket on my phone, and signed me in, explaining that everyone needs to come to her first. Thank goodness I am an ambulatory wheelchair user. Being alone was a challenge, I went round on my mobility scooter which coped with the terrain, it’s a Kymco. Anything smaller would have struggled and I would have in the wet. I had to ask fellow visitors to help open doors. I couldn’t get into the reptile house because there’s a small step onto the ramp. The disabled toilets were very difficult to use because the sliding doors literally dragged along the floor and I had to walk to them. Negotiating the restaurant was good apart from having to drag a long bench out from under the table which was heavy, I just managed the end. I love animals and the zoo itself was lovely, I missed the tapirs etc as access is either through a double gate where I needed more help then across grass, or down the narrow road where I couldn’t pull in. I’m glad I went to see the zoo but wouldn’t come again.

Disabled Access In and Around

Poor

Being alone was a challenge, I went round on my mobility scooter which coped with the terrain, it’s a Kymco. Anything smaller would have struggled and I would have in the wet. I had to ask fellow visitors to help open doors. I couldn’t get into the reptile house because there’s a small step onto the ramp.

Parking & Transport

Average

I booked my tickets online, followed the disabled parking signs and pulled up in front of the closed gates which lead there. After no help from gesturing politely at the receptionist, I struggled out of my car in pain from the drive to walk up a steep slope to the desk. The receptionist took my name only, didn’t need to see my ticket on my phone, and signed me in, explaining that everyone needs to come to her first. Thank goodness I am an ambulatory wheelchair user.

Accessible Toilets

Bad

The disabled toilets were very difficult to use because the sliding doors literally dragged along the floor and I had to walk to them.

Staff

Poor

I only interacted with the receptionist who was unaware of how to support disabled drivers.