Discovery Point

On arrival at Discovery Point, you’re met with the magnificent view of the ship which is docked between the Discovery Point building and the V&A Dundee. It’s a stunning view, and there were plenty of people around taking photographs without it feeling overly busy. The physical disabled access at Discovery Point is excellent. The staff were incredibly welcoming and helpful. Everything is on a flat level with automatic doors in and out of the building both at the front reception and where you access the ship outside. There’s an open doorway into the café where there are vegan and gluten-free menu options and space for manoeuvring, the same goes for the gift shop though I imagine it could be a bit of a squeeze in the shop on busy days. There’s a lift behind the reception desk which takes you to the events / meeting spaces upstairs. There is a hearing loop system for the meeting rooms, but currently not in the exhibition / gallery space, nor captions / audio description – though I was assured this is in the pipeline as they’re awaiting the arrival of their new system.

Well worth a visit. Good amount of parking close by. Level access throughout and the entrance has automatic doors by pressing the wheelchair sign button at the side. Once inside there is sufficient room to get round and see all the exhibits. There is a good sized accessible toilet just as you come in the entrance. Some of the exhibit areas has dull lighting which makes it that little bit harder to see if someone had a visual impairment, although I realise this is done to create a specific atmosphere. There are lots of interactive stuff in there including sensory touch and smell and a screen the view from the top of the mast. There is a joystick that you use to move the camera to show 360 degree views and you can also zoom in and out. The only real disappointment of the visit was you can’t get onto the ship with the wheelchair, although they have built a hut just beside it with enough space for two wheelchairs with a tv showing a video of the inside of the ship. The tv seemed like it was from the 1970s and the film, which had subtitles, was very blurred. This could be doing with being updated. The cafe area was a good size with plenty of room for manoeuvre.

Easy access and great staff.