3rd April 2008 Access Committee – Coral Reef

The Access Committee met at Coral Reef, Bracknell to asses the new disabled facilities.
Changing area is now a lot bigger, changing bed also good but can see possible problem if a carer needs to get to both sides of the bed as one side is attached to the wall.

Lift to bar would not have been accessible if in a larger wheelchair as space was very tight. Impressed with shower chair and poolside chair as in poolside chair someone could be strapped in over their shoulders as well. They seem to have concentrated on physical disability but not on visual impairments as there were no specialist signs catering for those disabilities or tactile/textured floor surfaces.  Some staff have been on basic signing courses so should be able to communicate with people with a hearing impairment.

Lift in bar by the pool was very narrow, and doors on normal lift were a bit quick to shut; this could cause people who can’t move quickly to get crushed.
Investigated fire chair and I brought up ‘what if someone very floppy were to sit in it?’  They may need straps for there shoulders like the one’s on the poolside chair. Also, staff may need to assist people into the chair so it was agreed that staff need manual handling training.

Steph O’Connell