Accessibility

Business Overview

The business has the following products/services available: Tour/Transport. Our business caters for the following disability types:

• Blind or low vision
• Deaf or low hearing
• Food allergies or intolerances
• Cognitive or people on the Autism Spectrum

Bookings

The business offers the following methods for bookings and enquiries:

• Phone
• Email
• Webportal
• Our website supports Screen Readers
• Our forms have high contrast boxes and submit boxes

Emergency Management

• Emergency and evacuation procedures are explained on arrival
• Guests with disabilities are noted in the guest log book for emergency and evacuation purposes

Communications

• Our website meets WCAG 2.0 accessibility standards
• Our business offers the following alternative communication methods: Plain English

Guide Dog and Service Animals

• The business provides a secure area with shade and water for service animals
• The business provides a toilet area for service animals
• Service animals are welcome to travel in vehicles and attend all sites visited

Pre-arrival, arrival and reception

The business has the following in place to support guests during pre-arrival, arrival and reception:

• Booking information and websites are compatible with screen readers
• Information and maps are available in written form
• A familiarisation tour
• Seating is available at the tour meeting point. Guests rest in the tour vehicle if they choose to opt out of walks, so people with fatigue related to their disability are not disadvantaged by long wait times.
• We seek information about special needs from our guests when they book. In the 24 hours prior to departure, we communicate with guests to check details recorded and respond to questions.

Car Park and Access amenities

The standard pick up location is at the Albany Visitor Centre close to parking for those with disability and ramped access to the front of the building. Guests must be able to step into the vehicles independently. To assist we provision a mobile step that reduces the lift from ground to the floor level of the vehicle. This can be used at all times entering and exiting the vehicle. We supervise all guests entry and exit from the vehicle providing advice for safety and secure footing.

• A drop off zone
• Designated disabled parking bays
• Level or ramped access from the car park to the entrance
• The accessible entrance is clearly signed from the parking bay
• Kerb ramps are in place where a pavement or walkway needs to be crossed

Displays, exhibits, commentary and live performances

Seating is available. Commentary is provided as the vehicle is touring, out of the vehicle in the open air and inside venues. Voice amplification is provided in the vehicles. We encourage those who need to lip read to sit in view of the Tour Guide.

External Paths

• Surfaces are concrete, asphalt, smooth paving or hard packed fine gravel (max aggregate size 13mm)
• Paths or slopes longer than 15 metres have resting places or seats
• Pathways are wider than 900mm
• There are 3 successive steps or less on any path or at any doorway
• Step free routes clearly signed
• We do not have capability to carry wheelchair reliant guests.

Steps

• There are steps.
• Top and bottom steps are easily distinguished through colour contrast or the use of TGSIs (Tactile Ground Surface Indicators)
• Handrails fitted to all open sets of steps
• Some of the venues on tours have enclosed risers, some do not. Please ask.

Tour/Transport Services

• Buses/Coaches
• 0 vehicles have wheelchair lifts or ramps
• 0 vehicles have low floors with ramped entry
• The maximum wheelchair capacity available in the fleet is: 0

Route Planning

• The tour route includes stops with accessible toilet facilities
• Lunch stop venues are accessible
• Walking Tours: operated on a step free route
• Walking Tours: multi-paced to account for slower walkers
• Walking Tours: electronic voice augmentation

Guides

Guides have been trained in the following:

• Use of clear/simple English
• Correct pronunciation for lip readers

Third-party venues

Tours stop at attractions, food and beverage and retail spaces that are not operated by Albany Tours, including Albany Historical Society, Albany's Historic Whaling Station, the National Anzac Centre, Bartholomew's Meadery, Duckett's Mill, Galafrey Wines, Gilberts Wines, Ironwood Estate, Kate's Place, Naturaliste Charters, Plantagenet Wines, The Lake House Denmark, Three Anchors, West Cape Howe Wines and Whaler's Galley Cafe. Please check each venue's own website for its access information.