Picture caption (top) -The dedicated accessible skating sessions for disabled people at the Ice Cube are held every Thursday between 9am and 10am.
Picture caption (bottom) -The sessions at the Ice Cube have proved to be extremely popular.
Dedicated accessible skating sessions for disabled people are proving to be a big hit at one of Leeds’ most popular ice-cool attractions.
Held at the Ice Cube on Millennium Square every Thursday between 9am and 10am, disabled people with a range of physical or sensory impairments, or additional needs have the chance to experience ice skating under the guidance of trained ice marshals. Wheelchair users can join in the fun in their own chair whether manual or motorised, as they enjoy the ice and take in the views of some of the city’s most iconic buildings including Leeds Town Hall. For disabled customers who have a mobility impairment or find it difficult using ice skates and are not wheelchair users, there is also the option of being able to experience the graceful motion around the ice rink on a ‘snow tube’ (rubber ring).
Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, Leeds City Council’s executive member for digital and creative technologies, culture and skills said:
"We are working extremely hard to improve disability access at all of our events and attractions, and it is fantastic that dedicated accessible skating sessions are once again available at the Ice Cube this year.
"The team has already received some fantastic feedback from those people, teachers and support staff who have already taken part, and we are looking forward to welcoming more groups in the upcoming weeks.
"Please don’t forget that all other public skating sessions are accessible to all, including wheelchair users, and this year we also have on site our very own Changing Places Toilet offering specialist facilities for disabled people which is very welcome."
On hand to take part in one of the sessions for the first time included 15 pupils from the East Leeds Silc partnership unit at Temple Moor High School which provides a wide range of support to young people with additional needs. The session was a great success, as the youngsters had the opportunity to take to the ice with members of the specialised coaching team.
Sarah McAndrew, teacher at East SILC John Jamieson/Temple Moor High Care Partnership said:
"It was wonderful to visit the Ice Cube, and so fantastic to see our young people be given the opportunity through this accessible event, to have really brilliant fun on the ice."
Also set to pay to visit to the ice Cube at 9am on Thursday 19 February is a group of 50 children from the Leeds Deaf Children’s Society (LDCS). The local support group have organised a number of trips to the Ice Cube over the past few years and are looking forward to once again having a great time.
Sam Green, chair of LDCS said:
"All the staff at the Ice Cube are brilliant in creating a wonderful experience for the children in something which they wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to do and we would encourage any families who have not previously tried skating to come down and join us."
Anyone wishing to join the skating session on or just to find out more about LDCS can contact Sam at leeds@ndcsgroup.org.uk or by SMS to 07867525961.
Besides the dedicated accessible sessions, all other public skating sessions are also accessible to all, including wheelchair users, and customers can call in advance if they want to check how busy sessions are on the day or discuss any additional requirements or concerns.
And for the first time this year, Leeds City Council’s Mobile Changing Places toilet (High Dependency Unit) is also available at the Ice Cube. This unit is provided in addition to the standard disabled persons toilets on Millennium Square, and provides a peninsular style toilet and associated grab rails (ideal for assisted use), an adult size changing bed, a height adjustable wash hand basin, a tracking hoist (slings not provided) and plenty of space.
Disabled skaters can buy tickets for skating at the concessionary rate of £6.50, and free admission is available for one companion per disabled skater (at both public and accessible sessions). Please let us know when you book if you would like to make use of this facility.
Notes to editors:
For full skating details including prices and skating session times together with further information for all other attractions can be found at www.leeds.gov.uk/icecube
For media enquiries, please contact;
Colin Dickinson, Leeds City Council press office (0113) 39 51578
Email: colin.dickinson@leeds.gov.uk