Disabled access to the site

The Joggins Fossil Institute regards access to education, exhibitions and the site as being a priority, however, due to the rugged nature of the beach and cliffs they are not accessible to wheelchair users or those with limited mobility.

The Visitor Centre was designed to be barrier free and facilities include:

Parking for disabled visitors and access ramps onto walkways
External walkways are compact gravel and accessible for wheel chairs
Powered doors
Public washrooms, which meet building code for wheelchair users
All public areas are one one single level with wide doors and ample access around exhibits, to the gift shop and cafe
The Roundhouse Cafe has a lowered counter for ease of access
We can present a tactile exhibit of fossils from our collection for those with impaired visibility
There is a large print printed version of our "Big Ideas" movie for those with hearing difficulties
Dioramas of the beach set into the floors to enable those who can not access the beach to discover fossils in the comfort of the centre
Personal verbal interpretation for visitors who have visual impairment and can not view our printed interpretation panels

Very few areas are not accessible, one being our hollow tree exhibit, which due to its nature is not accessible for wheelchair users but does provide auditory interpretation of the sounds of a carboniferous forest.

The Joggins Fossil Institute is continually looking at ways to improve access for all and it is often the smaller things that help, so our gift shop staff are always happy to help visitors access merchandise, which is out of reach. A member of our team will give a helping hand if you just need someone to lean on on your way down to the beach and our cafe team will, of course carry your food and drinks across to your table for you if you find this difficult sometimes.

Please ask if you have any specific questions or worries about visiting our site.