In recent years we have made a range of improvements to ensure the Park and Palace are more accessible than ever before.

Improvements include: increased access platform availability at events, relaxed and BSL interpreted performances, updated signage, new support materials such as accessible venue guides, growing our Visitor Services Team, and new facilities such as a Changing Places restroom, among many others.

Most recently, we have joined Sunflower, which aims to support people with hidden disabilities. Head of Visitor Services, Jack Brooks, explains more:

What is your approach to improving accessibility at Alexandra Palace?

The approach to accessibility development has always been to listen to our visitors. We get in-person feedback from visitors to the hundreds of events we host each year, as well as written feedback via online reviews, emails and social media. We also have regular secret shopping from the deaf and disabled community – we get reports and take part in meetings to better understand what provisions are working and what further work needs to be done. We have worked directly with Disability charities to better understand the requirements of our audiences, such as Attitude Is Everything, Disability Action Haringey the Alzheimer’s Society and more.

What do these developments mean for Alexandra Palace and its audiences?

This latest round of developments has opened our doors for audiences that may not otherwise have been able to visit. The Changing Places facility that was opened in July this year is a game changer, and we hope it gives visitors confidence that they can attend our full events programme. We have a long list of infrastructure developments that have improved the Palace for all, such as new way-finding signage and upgraded entry and exit points. However, we have also worked hard on the non-physical provisions such as online information, website upgrades, staff training and much more. We hope all visitors to the Palace will have an improved and dignified experience from the moment they click onto our website, until they leave site after an event.

Why have you signed up to Hidden Disabilities Sunflower?

We want to make the Park and Palace accessible to all, and we are passionate about facilitating unforgettable experiences for all visitors. We want visitors that have hidden disabilities or sensitivities to sensory overload to feel welcome, safe and have a positive experience here. Joining Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is part of our commitment to this goal. We will be looking to use the expertise, training and materials from Sunflower to develop our own knowledge and offer, so that everyone has the best possible visitor experience.

How will the sensory bags offer support at Alexandra Palace?

We recognise that some environments at Alexandra Palace may be challenging for those that have sensitivities to sensory overload due to noise levels, crowds, lighting/special effects and being in a new environment. We introduced Sensory bags as a valuable support mechanism to help support visitors to feel relaxed and calm when at an event or working. The bags includes things such as spinners, ear plugs and sensory glasses. The use of the bags is completely free and can be used at any event or during day time opening hours, by requesting one from our Visitor Services team.

What are the continued challenges that a venue like Alexandra Palace face?

Making the Park and Palace accessible has always been an ongoing challenge due to the historic nature of the building. Being built over 150 yeas ago means that we are dealing with largely un-accessible Victorian architecture. The Palace is Grade II listed, which can create challenges when modernising infrastructure. Although we are successful in working through these challenges it does require additional resources to navigate. And, of course, there are financial implications too, which as charity means that we have to plan effectively. We have to be creative and bold to make progress, but the work we have done in recent years is a testament to how important the whole team here view accessibility.

Where can people find out more about Accessibility at Alexandra Palace?

The Visitor Services team are available seven days a week between 9am-5pm in our East Court and will be on hand to offer any assistance that anyone may need. They can be called directly on 020 8365 4343 and emailed via Visitor.services@alexandrapalace.com or via our dedicated accessibility email address – access@alexandrapalace.com. We have easy read materials, maps, visual journey documents and much more useful information available on our accessibility page.

The team are also available at all events that we host to assist with any needs or concerns you may have. You can recognise us in our light blue shirts!