This information page has been created to make it easier for residents to find out more about what’s on offer to help those with additional support needs.
We are working in partnership with AccessAble to provide accessibility information about our council facilities and a range of venues across the borough.
These detailed guides provide factual information and photographs to assist those with a disability to know in real terms how accessible a place or venue is prior to their visit.
To search for a venue or facility visit AccessAble.
There are currently 8 Changing Places toilet within council facilities.
Changing Places toilets are larger accessible toilets for severely disabled people, with equipment such as hoists, curtains, adult-sized changing benches and space for carers. The toilets give disabled people and their carers the space and equipment they need to have the confidence to leave their homes and go out.
The dry side changing room was recently upgraded at Banbridge Leisure Centre, thanks to funding from Department for Communities. A portable hoist is available on request.
JAM Card allows people with a learning difficulty, autism or communication barrier tell others they need ‘Just A Minute’ discreetly and easily.
The JAM Card is a social innovation from the NOW Group, an organisation that supports people with learning difficulties and autism into employment. It was their service users who said they would like a discreet way of telling people that sometimes they need a little extra time and patience.
Those with a communication barrier are often reluctant or unable to tell others about their condition. JAM Card allows this to happen in a simple, effective non-verbal manner.
The JAM Card was created first as a Credit Card sized card but has also been developed into an app for smartphones.
The card or app can be used to alert staff in leisure centres or community centres for example that the person needs a little bit of patience and understanding when interacting with you.
You can find out more about the JAM Card at www.jamcard.org and NOW Group at www.nowgroup.org
The Mobile Accessible Toilet is a fantastic facility for wheelchair users and those with mobility impairments. Key features of the unit include:
The Mobile Accessible Toilet will be available at the following event:
Georgian Festival (23 – 26 Nov 2023)
Saturday 25 November, 10am to 8pm
The Mall and city streets are accessible, with disabled toilets and the Mobile Accessible Toilet available.
The Lightshow will take place on Friday 24 November & Saturday 25 November from 4pm in the City Centre.
An accessible platform for wheelchair users plus an area during the lightshows for visitors with autism or sensory needs is available.
For more information click here
Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council
Inclusive Play Park Equipment
Armagh Area
| Site | Parking | Toilets | Inclusive Play Park Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackwatertown | Yes (roadside) | No | Basket Swing, Spinning Bowl |
| Cathedral Road | Yes | Toilets in community centre | Wheelchair Roundabout, Harness Swing, Play Panels, Basket Swing |
| Clady, Cladymore, Markethill | Yes | No | Spinning Bowl |
| Derrynoose Play Area | Yes | Toilets in GAA hall | Basket Swing |
| Drumbeda Park | No | No | Wheelchair Roundabout, Harness Swing, Play Panels, Basket Swing |
| Glen Road, Keady | Yes | Toilets in Tommy Makem Centre | Basket Swing Double with Slide Panels |
| Gosford Forest Park | Yes | Yes | Play Park: Basket Swing, Wheelchair Swing & Sensory Play Panels.
Nature Play: various outdoor inclusive play on a 2km trail. All out trekking (for 12 years+) |
| Ivy Park, Middletown | Yes | No | Basket Swing |
| Killylea | Yes | No | Spinning Bowl |
| Kingston Memorial Playing Fields | Yes | No | Wheelchair Roundabout, Harness Swing, Basket Swing, Play Panels including sensory play |
| Loughgall Village Park | Yes | Yes | Basket Swing, Spinning Bowl |
| Markethill Primary School | Yes | No | Basket Swing, Panels, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout |
| Milford | No | No | Inclusive Roundabout |
| Mossfield Estate, Glenanne | Yes (roadside) | No | Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Panels, Wheelchair Roundabout |
| Navan Fort, Armagh | Yes | Yes | Sensory Play Equipment |
| Palace Stables, Armagh | Yes | Toilets at Orchard Leisure Centre | Harness Swing, Basket Swing, Roundabout, Sensory Play Panels |
| Poyntzpass | Yes (roadside) | Toilets at railway crossing | Harness Swing, Wheelchair Spin, Panels, Basket Swing |
| Richhill Community Centre | Yes | Toilets in recreation centre | Inclusive Roundabout, Basket Swing |
| Tandragee Recreational Grounds | Yes | Yes | Basket Swing |
| The Pond, Laurevale | Yes (roadside) | No | Inclusive Roundabout, Basket Swing, Panels |
| Tullysaran, Benburb | Yes (roadside) | No | Basket Swing, Panels |
Banbridge Area
| Site | Parking | Toilets | Inclusive Play Park Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Castleview | Yes | No | Basket Swing |
| Dromore Town Park | Yes | Yes | Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Sensory Play Panels, Ramped Junior Unit |
| Ervine Place, Warringsford | No | No | Swings & Dish Roundabout |
| Fairview Park | Yes (in estate) | No | Swings & Slides |
| Finnis Play Area | No | No | Swings |
| Fraser Park, Annaclone | Yes | No | Basket Swing, Play Panels, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout |
| Katesbridge Play Area | Yes | No | Swings & Basket Swing |
| Kinallen Play Park | Yes | No | Swings |
| Knock Terrace | No | No | Swings |
| Lawrencetown | No | No | Swings & Basket Swing |
| Lenaderg Play Area | Yes (residents) | No | Swings |
| Lissize Park | Yes (in estate) | No | Swings, Talk Tubes, Rocker |
| Loughbrickland Park | Yes | Yes | Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Sensory Play Panels |
| Maglion Terrace | No | No | Spinning Dish |
| Millstone Close, Moneyslane | Yes (roadside) | No | Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Sensory Play Panels |
| Mount Charles | No | No | Roundabout |
| Rathfriland Play Area | Yes | Yes | Swings |
| Scarva Park District Play Park | Yes | Yes | Wheelchair swing, Harness swing, Inclusive Roundabout, Inclusive Basket Swing, Inclusive Trampoline’s, Inclusive house, Inclusive bridge, Sensory Panels, Talking tubes |
| Solitude Park | Yes | Yes | Trampoline, Roundabouts, Play Panels, Basket Swings, Play House & Swings |
| Woodlands Play Park | Yes | No | Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Play Panels, Inclusive Roundabout |
Craigavon Area
| Site | Parking | Toilets | Inclusive Play Park Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avenue Road Community Centre | Yes | No | Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Inclusive Panels, Wheelchair Roundabout, Panels |
| Birches Play Park | Yes | No | Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Panels |
| Bleary Play Park | Yes | No | Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Panels |
| Brownlow Hub | Yes | Yes | Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Panels |
| Brownstown Community Centre | Yes | Yes | Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Panels |
| Donacloney | Yes | No | Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Panels |
| Drumilly Green | Yes | No | Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Panels |
| Edenvilla Park | Yes | Yes | Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Panels |
| Kernan Play Park | Yes | No | Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Panels |
| Killicomaine Community Centre | Yes | Yes | Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Panels |
| Kinnego Marina | Yes | Yes | Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Panels |
| Lord Lurgan Park | Yes (on street) | No | Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Panels |
| Lurgan Park | Yes | Yes | Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Trampoline, Sensory Play Panels, Ramped Junior Unit, Wheelchair Swing, Sand Pit |
| Maghery Country Park | Yes | No | Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Sensory Play Panels, Sandpit |
| Malcomson Park, Magheralin | Yes (in estate) | No | Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Sensory Play Panels |
| Oxford Island | Yes | Yes | Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Trampolines, Sensory Play Panels, Accessible Tower Unit, Accessible Mounds, Accessible See-Saw, Communication Board |
| People’s Park | Yes | Yes | Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Inclusive Diggers in Sand, Wheelchair Swing, Inclusive Panels, Sand |
| Rectory Park | No | No | Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Panels |
| Dollingstown | No | No | Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Panels |
| Taghnevan Estate | Yes | No | Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Panels |
| Tannaghmore Gardens | Yes | Yes | Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Sensory Play Panels, Trampoline, Sand Pit, Spinning Bowl |
| Waringstown | Yes | No | Basket Swing, Harness Swing, Wheelchair Roundabout, Panels |
A number of pre visit guides have been developed with short descriptions to assist people visiting our venues. These have been designed for people with autism in mind but are helpful for anyone unfamiliar with the environment.
Community Centres
Ashgrove Community Centre
Avenue Road Community Centre
Brownlow Hub Community Centre
Brownstown Hub Community Centre
Dobbin Street Community Centre
Killicomaine Jubilee Community Centre
Mourneview Community Centre
North Lurgan Community Centre
Tommy Makem Arts & Community Centre
Leisure Facilities
Banbridge Leisure Centre
Dromore Community Centre
Gilford Community Centre
Orchard Leisure Centre
Rathfriland Community Centre
Richhill Recreation Centre
South Lake Leisure Centre
Tandragee Recreation Centre
Tourism Venues
Armagh County Museum
The Market Place Theatre (Autism Impact Award)
Navan Centre & Fort (Autism Impact Award)
Navan Centre & Fort – ASD Accessibility
FE McWilliam Gallery
Town Halls
Lurgan Town Hall
Portadown Town Hall
Virtual Tours
Craigavon Ski & Golf Centre
The Market Place Theatre (Austim Impact Award)
A poolpod is a platform lift system transforming access to swimming pools for people with disabilities and restricted mobility. It can be used by a wheelchair user or you can stand on the lift, so it is ideal if you find traditional pool steps difficult, e.g. if you are recovering from an injury or stroke, are pregnant or are older.
Poolpods are available in Banbridge Leisure Centre and in both the large pool and teaching pool in South Lake Leisure Centre.
Sensory pods are available in 3 leisure facilities, including Banbridge Leisure Centre, Dromore Leisure Centre and Orchard Leisure Centre, to provide a calming and relaxing space, allowing personalised sensory regulation.
The pods include self-selected lighting colours and music / video content via speakers and a monitor.
Available for use by anyone visiting the centre who needs a quiet space, and in particular for children/young people with autism or other sensory processing needs.
To use the sensory pods, please contact a member of staff at reception in the centres.
South Lake Leisure Centre has a Sensory Room.
We are a member national disability network Radar (The Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation). This means, that if you are disabled and living within the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough, you can get a Radar key to use in any of our Public Toilets. These keys also provide access to any public toilet in the UK that has been locked to protect it from vandalism or misuse.
Participants with a disability can swim for free at their own pace within a lane allocated solely for them for the entire session. A carer is permitted free entry into the same lane, only if the person with a disability requires assistance. Pre-booking is essential.
Orchard Leisure Centre
Saturday 3pm-4pm & Sunday 3.30pm-4.30pm
For more information, please contact your local centre.
The Get Out Get Active (GOGA) programme delivered in partnership with Live Active NI aims to provide inclusive physical activity opportunities for the least active people in our community and encourages people of all ages and abilities to become more active together.
The Inclusive Sport & Leisure Initiative aims to deliver an inclusive sports and leisure programme designed to give disabled people living in the borough an equal opportunity to lead a fit and active lifestyle, through a partnership between Council and Disability Sport NI.
Inclusive Sports & Leisure Initiative
Individuals and groups can access a range of inclusive bikes for use around Craigavon Lakes, including trikes, hand cycles, tandems (inline and side-by-side) and a wheelchair transporter. An induction will be provided and an instructor can be booked to lead the session.
Supported by Disability Sport NI, Department for Communities and Sport NI.
An inclusive outdoor experience for people to access the walking and mountain bike trails at Gosford Forest Park using four wheeled, battery powered buggies.
Event organisers must comply with the Disability Discrimination Act. The guide has information on how event organisers can make events accessible to visitors by making reasonable adjustments at venues.
Sit skis and a hoist are available to enable people with reduced mobility and wheelchair users to access the slope.
For more information, please contact the Craigavon Ski & Golf Centre on 028 3832 6606 or click here.
Funded by the Department for Communities.
Glamping pods at Gosford include a level access, widened door and large internal turning space, sleeping a maximum of four people. Facilities include a kettle, fridge, heater and picnic table. Visitors have access to the accessible toilet and shower room in the centre of the campsite. Guests need to bring their own bedding/pillows.
Glamping pods are available to book online here.
