Drawing Week Brussels welcomes artists, illustrators, and art lovers from all backgrounds. We are committed to ensuring that every attendee can fully participate in the event. This guide provides detailed accessibility information for all official venues, including the main exhibition hall, workshop spaces, and outdoor sketching locations. Whether you have mobility challenges, sensory sensitivities, or other access needs, we aim to make your experience comfortable and enjoyable.
This article covers physical access features, assistive services, sensory-friendly resources, and practical tips for navigating the event. For a broader overview of the event, see The Complete Guide to Drawing Week Brussels.
Main Venue: Tour & Taxis
The primary venue for Drawing Week Brussels is Tour & Taxis, located at Havenlaan 86C, 1000 Brussels. This historic site has been adapted for large-scale events and offers the following accessibility features:
- Wheelchair-accessible entrances: The main entrance on Havenlaan has a ramp with a gentle slope (max 5%). All secondary entrances also have level access.
- Automatic doors: All public entrances are equipped with automatic sliding doors.
- Accessible parking: Designated parking spaces are available in the on-site car park (P1) near the entrance. There are 12 spaces reserved for blue badge holders, located within 50 metres of the accessible entrance. Parking fee is €5 per day for blue badge holders (standard rate €12).
- Elevators: Two passenger lifts serve all floors. Each lift cabin measures 1.5m x 1.8m, suitable for standard wheelchairs. Braille and tactile buttons are installed.
- Accessible toilets: There are 6 accessible toilet cubicles on the ground floor and 4 on the first floor, each with grab bars and emergency pull cords.
- Seating: Rest areas with benches are available throughout the venue. For wheelchair users, there are tables with clearance height of 70 cm.
Floor Plan and Navigation
The venue is spread over two levels. The ground floor hosts the main exhibition hall, ticket counters, information desk, and most workshops. The first floor contains additional workshop rooms and a quiet lounge. A detailed floor plan with accessible routes can be found in our Venue Map and Directions article. Tactile maps are available at the information desk upon request.
Secondary Venues: Workshop Locations
Several workshops and sketching sessions take place at partner venues within walking distance of Tour & Taxis. These include:
- Brussels Art Institute – Rue du Midi 12, 1000 Brussels. Step-free entrance via rear door (ramp available). Accessible toilet on ground floor.
- Urban Sketching Hub – Quai des Péniches 25, 1000 Brussels. Level entrance from street level. No elevator, but all activities are on ground floor.
- Drawing Studio – Rue de Laeken 45, 1000 Brussels. Entrance has a single step (max 7 cm) – a portable ramp can be provided upon request. Contact the accessibility team at least 24 hours in advance.
For outdoor sketching locations, such as Parc de Laeken and Place Sainte-Catherine, paths are generally paved and accessible. However, some grassy areas may be uneven. We recommend checking the Best Spots for Urban Sketching article for terrain details.
Transportation and Getting Around
Public Transport
Tour & Taxis is well served by public transport:
- Metro: Line 2/6 to station “Ribaucourt” (10-minute walk). Station has step-free access via lift. From there, level pavement route to venue.
- Tram: Line 51/93 to “Tour & Taxis” stop (directly outside main entrance). Trams are low-floor with ramp access.
- Bus: Lines 14, 20, 88 stop at “Havenlaan”. Buses are wheelchair accessible.
- Train: Brussels-North station is 1.5 km away. Accessible taxis available from station.
Accessible Taxis and Ride-Sharing
Designated drop-off points are located at the main entrance. Accessible taxis can be booked via Taxi Brussels (Tel: +32 2 268 0000) or UberWAV (requires app). Average fare from city centre is €10–15.
Personal Mobility Aids
Attendees may bring wheelchairs, walkers, or scooters. The venue does not provide rental equipment, but local suppliers include Mobility Brussels (Rue des Palais 100, €25/day for manual wheelchair). Battery-powered scooters must be charged before arrival; no charging stations on site.
Sensory Accessibility
We strive to create a comfortable environment for attendees with sensory sensitivities. The following measures are in place:
- Quiet hours: Daily from 10:00 to 11:00 and 14:00 to 15:00, the main hall reduces audio announcements and dims lighting. Workshops during these times are marked as “low-stimulation”.
- Quiet lounge: A dedicated quiet room (Room 2.5, first floor) is available throughout the day. It has soft lighting, noise-cancelling headphones (provided), and comfortable seating. Maximum capacity: 10 people.
- Noise levels: The main exhibition hall can reach 70 dB during peak hours. Earplugs are available free of charge at the information desk.
- Visual contrasts: Signage uses high-contrast colours (black on yellow) and large fonts (minimum 24 pt). Braille signage is installed on all permanent signs.
- Strobe-free environment: No strobe lighting or flashing effects are used in any venue.
Service Animals
Service animals are welcome in all venues. Relief areas are designated outside the main entrance (marked with a sign). Water bowls are available at the information desk. Please note that emotional support animals are not classified as service animals under Belgian law; however, we will accommodate them where possible. Contact [email protected] in advance.
Assistive Services and Equipment
Drawing Week Brussels offers the following assistive services free of charge:
- Sign language interpretation: For selected talks and workshops. See the Drawing Week Schedule for interpreted sessions. Interpretation is provided in Belgian French Sign Language (LSFB) and International Sign. Request interpretation for other sessions at least 3 weeks in advance.
- Audio description: Available for the main exhibition and two featured artist talks daily. Headsets can be borrowed from the information desk (ID required).
- Assistive listening devices: Induction loop systems are installed in Lecture Hall A (ground floor) and Workshop Room 1 (first floor). Portable loops are available for other rooms upon request.
- Large-print programmes: Available at the information desk. Digital versions can be downloaded from the website.
- Wheelchair loan: The venue has 4 manual wheelchairs available for loan on a first-come, first-served basis. Reserve by emailing [email protected].
Personal Assistants
Attendees who require a personal assistant can request a complimentary companion ticket. This must be arranged at the time of ticket purchase. See How to Buy Tickets for details. The companion will have access to all areas and is entitled to the same seating and facilities.
Accessible Workshops and Activities
Many workshops are designed to be inclusive. Highlights include:
- Tactile drawing sessions: For blind and partially sighted participants, using raised-line drawing boards and textured materials. These sessions are led by artist Marie Dubois. Check Top Workshops for Beginners for times.
- Seated sketching: All outdoor sketching sessions have seating options (folding stools provided). The route for the urban sketching walk is wheelchair-friendly; see Best Spots for Urban Sketching for detailed path descriptions.
- Low-sensory workshops: Held during quiet hours, with reduced group sizes (max 8 participants), minimal background noise, and adjustable lighting.
Registration Tips
To ensure a smooth experience, we recommend:
- Register early for popular workshops, as capacity is limited. See Workshop Registration Tips.
- Indicate any accessibility requirements during registration. The online form includes a free-text field for requests.
- For last-minute needs, visit the accessibility desk near the main entrance (open 9:00–18:00 daily).
Contact and Emergency Information
If you have any questions or require assistance during the event, please contact:
- Accessibility team: Email [email protected] or call +32 2 123 45 67 (available daily 9:00–20:00).
- Information desk: Located in the main hall, staffed by multilingual volunteers. They can provide directions, loan equipment, and assist with emergencies.
- First aid: Two first aid stations are located on the ground floor (near entrance A) and first floor (near room 2.10). All staff are trained in basic first aid.
- Emergency evacuation: The venue has a voice alarm system with visual strobes. Evacuation routes are marked with tactile and high-contrast signs. Assembly points are outside the main entrance and on the adjacent square. Wheelchair-accessible evacuation chairs are available on each floor; staff are trained to assist.
We are continuously improving our accessibility. If you have suggestions, please fill out a feedback form at the information desk or email us. For a complete overview of the event, visit The Complete Guide to Drawing Week Brussels.