Disabled Amenities

Find information on access and parking, toilets, hearing assistance, medical facilities, mobility and equipment hire.

If you have any queries or need assistance during your visit, please contact any member of staff who will be happy to help.

Further information on accessibility is available by visiting http://www.disabledgo.info/AccessGuide.asp?BusinessID=52348&TownID=86 

Access and Parking

If travelling by train disembark at Birmingham International Railway Station, access to The NEC is via the bridge-link.

The Piazza entrance has automatic doors.

A lift between Hall 5 and Toute Suite opposite the Main Piazza Entrance takes disabled visitors from Piazza level 1 to level 2. Tactile signage is fitted in or by the majority of lifts and public areas. Assistance Dogs are welcome. 

Parking is free of charge for vehicles displaying blue badges. This service cannot be pre-booked and is available on a first come first served basis.Traffic Officers will direct you to the nearest available designated parking area according to your time of arrival.

The location of parking for disabled visitors varies, based on site activity. For more detailed information specific to a particular event that you are attending, please contact the NEC on 0121 780 4141. The exact location of the car park for disabled visitors is normally available approximately 6 weeks in advance of the event.

The NEC is a vast site and at some events it is not possible to provide sufficient accessible parking as close to the entrance as at small venues. Where necessary, dependant on demand, there will be the offer alternative accessible parking serviced by an accessible shuttle bus. This may result in shorter walking distances than from the accessible parking that is available near to an entrance.

Please check your tickets for the doors open time, and arrive in plenty of time. 

Hearing Impairments

Induction loop audio systems are fitted in the following locations:

All Piazza cloakrooms and ticket booths
Selected cloakrooms and ticket booths in the Atrium

Medical Facilities

The Piazza Medical Centre is located next to Hall 5 and is open when there is site activity in the Piazza.

If you require a private area for personal care, (eg private changing facilities) please contact our medical centre in advance on 0121 780 4141 in order to discuss your particular requirements.

Medical Emergencies

In the event of a medical emergency please notify a member of Security or any member of staff who will be pleased to help you. Alternatively, call the Medical Centre on 2222 using the internal telephones located inside the main venues.

Mobility Equipment Hire Service

The NEC service partner, Bartrams, operate a mobility equipment hire service. We strongly advise visitors to prebook equipment to avoid disappointment. Bartrams operate a telephone booking line Monday to Friday 0900hrs-1700hrs on 01353 778756. For any visitors who have not prebooked equipment and arrive on the day, any remaining stock will be issued on a first- come, first-served basis. Manual wheelchairs are free of charge to blue badge holders, £5 per day to other visitors. Electric scooters are £15 per day for all visitors. This is a non-refundable scheme.

Toilets

The NEC and The NEC Arena have mostly unisex wheelchair accessible toilets, with the exception of The NEC exhibition halls, where there are Male and Female wheelchair accessible toilets.

As part of an ongoing improvement plan, these toilets will be upgraded to unisex.

Help Us Improve Our Service

An in-house committee meets regularly to address services for disabled visitors, and regular audits of our building are undertaken in respect of access. If you have any suggestions or comments you wish to make, please advise a member of staff. Alternatively, write to:

Visitor Liaison Manager,
Visitor Experience Department,
The NEC,
Birmingham B40 1NT

www.necgroup.co.uk