Friday, 23rd September 2022

a summit for and presented by people with disabilities

my research project

Shopping Accessibility

by David Geraghty, Researcher

My Research Project is about rating the accessibility of shopping centres in my local area. I have decided to do this research after completing the Looking Ahead Research Project last year.

This new research project of mine will involve me having to visit different shopping centres and determining their level of accessibility. You see I have lots of knowledge of working in the retail industry having done so for many years.

Everyone should be able to access their local shopping centre with ease.

Shopping Centre On Wheels

Example of Video that could be created with a mounted GoPro.
David, I have the GoPro and all the attachments that can be used to mount on a person or wheelchair.

- Donal

My Research IDEA

Building Accessibility

How easy is it to access all areas of the building?

 

Building Maintenance

Do you think that the building looks like it has been well maintained?

 

Toilets

Are there disabled toilets?


My Research FORMS

My Research Findings

Building Accessibility

I looked at the different things that make a building accessibile like if there ramps, lifts working, is there enough wheelchair parking available.

Toilet Rating

Shopping Centres with changing places usually score high in this area. Is the sink at the right height? Are the doors easy to open?

Other Factors

Customer Service, information helps. Signage and other access factors.

Northside Shopping Centre

Read More
Has improved over the years with better access at entrance
Read More
The newly refurbished eating area located upstairs is definitely worth checking out.
Read More
You can find both SuperValu and Dunnes Stores in this shopping Centre.
Previous
Next
Building
3/5
Maintenance
4/5
Toilets
4/5
Overall
2/5

Swords Pavilions Shopping Centre

Read More
Well designed shopping centre with plenty of parking. It can be very busy here at the weekends.
Building
3/5
Maintenance
4/5
Toilets
4/5
Overall
2/5

OMNI Park Shopping Centre

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This is a small enough shopping centre with only one entrance.
Building
3/5
Maintenance
4/5
Toilets
4/5
Overall
2/5

Locations

Northside Shopping Centre

Address: Oscar Traynor Rd, Dublin 17

Website: www.northsideshoppingcentre.ie

Opening date: 1970

 

My review:

I went to Northside Shopping Centre in May 2022. I live nearby so it only takes me 10 minutes to walk there.

 

This year Northside Shopping Centre is celebrating 50 years since opening. Everyone knows me to see and the staff are very friendly.

 

Main entrance to Northside Shopping Centre. There are two other side entrances to this shopping centre.
The lifts for access to the second floor are located in the very center of the shopping centre.
There are 3 different groceries in Northside Shopping Centre.
There is plenty of space in the corridors within the shopping Centre.
This is one of the shops that I like to visit.
I like the large entrance to the Card Factory.

Swords Pavilions Shopping Centre

Address: Malahide Rd, Swords Demesne, Swords, Co. Dublin

Website: www.pavilions.ie

Opening date: 1991

 

My review:

At the start of June 2022, a group of my friends went to visit Swords Pavilions Shopping Centre. It has a good entrance with very wide automatic doors. It feels still modern with lots of light inside. 

 

We went around this shopping centre and looked at how accessible it was. It was a very productive day and we finished our research off in a coffee shop. 

 

I really like this shopping centre.

 

This is inside Dunnes Stores.
This is the lift. It’s a bit small but a power wheelchair should still fit fine inside.
Going up!
Sometimes these type of notice boards can obstruct the walk way. For example kids can easily knock them over.
Yellow sign on floor warning people to keep clear at all times.
This is the ramp outside the shopping centre.

Omni Park Shopping Centre

Address: Swords Rd, Santry, Dublin, D09 HH61

Website: www.omnipark.ie

Opening date: 1991

 

My review:

I visited the Omni Park Shopping Centre in June 2021. I found the centre to be accessibility very good and very good for visually impaired people. I found the toilet to be very good and all the shops inside and outside were visible and clean looking.

 

McDonalds Restaurant has automatic doors.
Main entrance to OMNI.
Lots of open space inside.
There are points of entry at the entrance.
Costa Coffee has seating both inside and also outside.
Seating outside.
Nice that there is a big space at the entrance to this shop.
The inside feels very bright and spacious.
Feels modern.
Floor mats inside to prevent slips.
Bright entrance
Plenty of wheelchair parking spaces.
Safety barriers along walkway.
Ramp outside.

Donaghmede Shopping Centre

Address: Donaghmede Rd, Grange, Donaghmede, Co. Dublin

Website: www.donaghmedesc.com

Opening date: 1973

 

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