Accessibility
Access statement
The Maison Dieu welcomes visitors with disabilities and is working with local groups, including the Dover District Disability Association and schools to make the building, its interpretation and activities as accessible as possible.
Drop-off
There are drop-off spaces (for car or minibus drop-off) for visitors with disabilities and special educational needs, outside the main entrance on Biggin Street. Please repark after you have dropped off visitors.
Accessible parking
There are 4 accessible Blue Badge spaces in the Ladywell Car Park immediately behind the building. Find further info on Car Parks in Dover
Here to help
Please ask a member of the Maison Dieu team if you require assistance. Or call us in advance to let us know your access requirements.
Wheelchair access
The Maison Dieu is wheelchair accessible from the main entrance on Biggin Street.
Lift A large lift, on the right, just inside the accessible Biggin Street (high street) entrance, provides easy access to Visitor Reception on the ground floor, as well as to all public rooms on the first floor, namely the Connaught Hall, Stone Hall, Court Room and Council Chamber.
Please note: the lift is suitable for wheelchairs and small mobility scooters. We regret, it cannot accommodate large (Class 3) mobility scooters.
Take care on entry, particularly if using a powered wheelchair or mobility scooter, as there are steps in front of you, going down to the entrance desk, approximately 2 metres inside the entrance door.
Accessible toilets
These toilets are located on the lower ground floor near the entrance and at the rear of the building, next to the Council Chamber.
Level access
The Stone Hall and Connaught Hall have level access from the lift.
To access the Court Room and Council Chamber there is a short gentle gradient stone ramp (with handrail) at the far end of the Stone Hall.
Please note there is also a very short slope down from the Stone Hall door into the Court Room.
Seating
Please feel free to take the weight off your feet. There are chairs in all the main rooms, including ones with arms for easy access.
Hearing loop
The Maison Dieu is fitted with a hearing loop in all the main rooms. Microphones are also available.
Large screen
The Maison Dieu has a large 85-inch interactive screen.
Interpretation
We hope you enjoy learning about the history of the building and its collections through our graphic panels, audio-visual interactives and large print books, which are located throughout the building.
Graphics and text are produced in large, sans-serif fonts, with maximum contrast. We are happy to produce large text formats on request.
There is on-screen text on all Maison Dieu films, some of which also have audio.
Touch-screen interactives have an option to increase text size and to put text into black on white background, for maximum contrast, including for people with certain kinds of autism.
Films and touch-screen interactives include film footage, still images and information about rooms and building details (including the Mayor’s Parlour, Victorian prison and Connaught Hall roof space that are not accessible to wheelchair users).
A 360-degree digital tour of the building is planned.
Please touch!
As part of the interpretation, a two-thirds-size copy of one of the Maison Dieu’s lion grotesques has been created for handling. It sits on a table in the Stone Hall. It was carved by local stone mason Carrie Horwood of Sandwich (read more in our article).
Multi-sensory resources
A multi-sensory artefact investigation session is available, including objects to see, touch, smell and hear, as well as recipes to cook and taste at home! A great stimulus for curiosity and imagination, to generate discussion and help with health and wellbeing.
Try on costume
The Maison Dieu has dressing up items linked to historic characters associated with the building – from royal crowns and robes, to medieval pilgrim hats and William Burges’ top hat and waistcoat. Children can even dress up as a dragon!
Events and activities
We aim to make our events and activities as accessible as possible for visitors with special educational needs and disabilities, and we are very happy to discuss new ideas to develop in partnership.
Disability history
We are keen to highlight the important role played by people with disabilities to the long and colourful history of the Maison Dieu, from medieval pilgrims looking for a cure, to Neo-gothic architect Ambrose Poynter who contributed much to the building, before losing his sight. Help us discover and share more stories!
Coming soon!
As part of the next phase of Maison Dieu engagement we are working with local groups to develop more accessible resources including a social story, touch tour, audio-described tours and more multi-sensory resources.
Training
Staff and volunteers will receive regular training in working with a wide range of disabled audiences.