Access Guide for Atlantis Holiday Apartments       Jan 2012

Getting around Torbay a guide to local transport including local buses, National Express coaches, rail travel and details of concessionary and disabled persons travel.

This Guide provides information about existing and planned facilities for people visiting Atlantis with disabilities. Because this is a general access guide, it concentrates on providing information that will be particularly helpful for those with mobility disabilities.

Where possible additional information is given for those with other types of disability.

In trying to give accurate information we have not glossed over the obstacles to access that still remain. However, it is important for disabled people not to be put off by reading about less than
perfect access in this Guide.

You can always talk to us about future plans and adaptations we might make to suit your needs.

If you are thinking about staying at Atlantis Holiday Apartments you can find more information about the facilities available below or by contacting us by phone 01803-607929 or Mobile 07788 451 101.

Although facilities in the majority of apartments are not ideal for wheelchair users, provision for guests with limited mobility and other disabilities will be made wherever possible.     

We will be pleased to discuss any particular concerns or requirements with you.

Hoists, electric scooters etc. can be hired locally and the company will deliver and collect the items:
New Ability, 371 Torquay Road, Paignton, TQ3 2BT
Telephone 01803 555 961

For more information about accessible places e.g. restaurants, pubs, theatres, supermarkets etc;  taxis and equipment hire please click on the link Access information for the English Riviera

Please note that Torquay is built on seven hills and therefore the area away from the seafront is quite hilly. Persons pushing manual wheelchairs may find the terrain difficult.
However, there are many local taxi firms which can accommodate wheelchairs.
Electric scooters can be hired locally.

Coeliac - Gluten free

Pauline is a coeliac and is willing to bake a gluten free loaf for any guests who require a gluten free diet.

We also have a separate toaster to ensure no cross contamination. Information on restaurants and places which sell gluten free products is also available.

Deaf or Hard of Hearing    

We use BSL (British Sign Language) and SSL (Signed Supported English)

If you prefer to use Typetalk then we are very familiar with the service.                              
We have digital televisions with DVD players in all apartments.
Flashing doorbells are available for use within the apartments.
An alarm clock with a vibrating alarm pad is also available.

We are contactable by mobile text messages prior and during your stay: -

Mobile number 07788 451 101
There is a fire alarm system for the deaf installed with strobe lights at Atlantis.
We are members of Torbay Deaf Club

Blind or partially sighted

We have a Guest Information Book which is in large print available  on arrival.
There is also a selection of Audio Books available for guests.

On request, text of some of our hard copy information will be supplied in large print.

We are in the process of making our shower rooms more user friendly for the visually impaired by
defining the shelf edges and using a coloured shower curtain.

A large digital,talking alarm clock is available and an audible/vibratory liquid level indicator.

The front garden has a waterfall and we are putting in fragrant plants.


We have large garden games e.g. chess and draughts.


There is also a large deck of playing cards in our games cupboard.

Limited mobility or wheelchair user 

Apartment 1  (NAS M2) is accessible to wheelchair users.

The ramps leading from the car park have gradients of 1:15 and 1:13.5 and have handrails on both sides.
...
Ramp leading from car park to pool and Apartment 1 and sun terrace by pool.

Doorway width 78cms.
The light switches and plugs are all designed at optimal height for wheelchair users.
There is a ‘wet floor’ shower room with adjustable hand rails and shower seat.
All the taps are lever type.
Ample space in the shower room allows transfer to the shower seat or toilet from a sitting position.
.

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Shower Apartment 1.
....... .....
We have a perching stool and toilet seat riser available for guests

The windows are set back and would not be accessible to a person in a sitting position.
We have equipped the apartment with a double and a single bed so as to give more choice.
The single bed is electrically operated.

Adjustable electric single bed


Registered assistance dogs are permitted in Apt 1. We must be informed at the time of booking.
We will require the name of the charity the dog is registered with and the dog's 'microchip' number.

Apartment 2   (NAS M1) is accessible to wheelchair users. (Not suitable for larger  wheelchairs).

We feel that Apt 1 would be more suitable for larger wheelchairs as the shower room in Apt 1 has more room for manoeuvring.

There are 2 steps with handrails leading to the door of the  apartment or level access is via the main hall through the bedroom.

The bedroom has a double bed and a single bed. (Bunk beds are available for an extra child).

There is a ‘wet floor’ shower room with grab rails and shower seat. All the taps are lever type. Although the shower room is smaller than Apt 1 there is room to transfer to the shower seat or toilet from a sitting position.

We have a perching stool and toilet seat riser available for guests

Apartment 3 The main staircase leading to the apartment has 14 steps up to the landing.      There is one step into the apartment. There is a wet floor shower room.

Apartment 4     is situated on the first floor. The main staircase has 14 steps and there is another small flight of stairs, 6 steps, up to the large landing area. The apartment door is on this landing.             There is a wet floor shower room.

Apartment 5   is situated on the first floor at the front of the house. The main staircase has 14 steps and there is another small flight of stairs, 6 steps, up to the large landing area. The apartment door is on this landing. There is a wet floor shower room.

Apartment 6   is situated on the first floor at the side of the house. The main staircase has 14 steps and there is another small flight of stairs, 6 steps, up to the large landing area. The apartment door is on this landing. There is a wet floor shower room.

Apartments 1& 2  would be suitable for a wheelchair user with assistance.
The windows are unreachable from a sitting position in both apartments.
Some of the apartments may not be suitable for those with a lesser degree of mobility.
It is therefore considered that some of the apartments are quite suitable for those who are able (possibly with assistance of holiday companions) to walk a few yards and climb some steps as above.

The nearest shops and bus stop are about 200m away. The seafront is approximately 350m.

The route to the beach is wheelchair accessible but those with manual wheelchairs must be aware that the terrain is very hilly away from the seafront.

The entrance hall is level and is accessible to wheelchairs. All tourist information, the computer and the payphone are in the hall.  We have Wi-fi internet access.

We live onsite and the entrance to our apartment is off the main reception hall. Atlantis ensures a completely non smoking and pet free environment (Except Apt1). This is to benefit those with respiratory conditions or allergies.  Apartment 1 is the only apartment in which we allow assistance dogs.

We have installed digital televisions with DVD players in all lounges and bedrooms in all apartments.

We shall review any new developments and consider making changes to existing installations to improve disabled access, while having regard to what is reasonably possible and commercially viable.

For more information about accessible places e.g. restaurants, pubs, theatres, supermarkets etc;  taxis and equipment hire please click on the link Access information for the English Riviera