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The Sovereign Complex

43 Knochenagh Avenue, Newtownabbey, BT36 6BE

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include main hall, dance studio, kitchen, training room, accessible toilet, changing place facility, baby change facility and board room.

Location

  • The venue is situated outside the centre of the town.
  • This venue is situated in Whiteabbey.
  • The venue is not situated on a road which has a steep gradient.
  • There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest mainline station is Whiteabbey.

Opening Times

  • Monday 09:00 - 21:00.
  • Tuesday 09:00 - 21:00.
  • Wednesday 09:00 - 21:00.
  • Thursday 09:00 - 21:00.
  • Friday 09:00 - 21:00.
  • Saturday 09:00 - 13:00.
  • Sunday 11:00 - 15:00.

Parking

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Venue Car Park View
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • The car park is located at the left of the building.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders cannot be booked in advance.
    • There is/are 3 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 230cm x 470cm (7ft 7in x 15ft 5in).
    • The nearest Blue Badge bay is 40m (43yd 2ft) from the the main entrance.
    • The furthest Blue Badge bay is 45m (49yd 8in) from the the main entrance.
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is/are level changes with no dropped kerbs.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
  • There is not level access into the venue.
  • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
  • The door(s) is / are double.
  • The width of the door opening is 174cm (5ft 9in).

Level Change (Main Entrance)

  • There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
  • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance doors.
  • The ramp/slope gradient is steep.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • The ramp does have handrails.
  • The handrails are on both sides.
  • Comments View
    • There is also a small threshold at the door.
    • The barriers in front of the entrance are at 52 and 97cm height.

Outside Access (Side Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located on the far left hand side of the building.
  • There is not level access into the venue.
  • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
  • The door(s) is / are single.
  • The door(s) is / are heavy.
  • The width of the door opening is 100cm (3ft 3in).
  • Comments View
    • This entrance leads directly into the main hall and is mainly used by the nursery group.
    • The entrance is kept locked. There is a bell which is 155cm high to gain access.

Level Change (Side Entrance)

  • There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
  • The ramp or slope is located in front of the entrance.
  • The ramp or slope is permanent.

Reception

  • The desk/counter is 4m (4yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
  • The desk/counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
  • The desk/counter does not have a low (76cm or lower) section.
  • The lighting levels are good.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service(s).
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • The lighting levels are varied.
  • Comments View
    • The photographs show the main hall, kitchen and the training room.
    • Tables in the training room are 66 cm high.

Toilet with Adaptations (Right Hand Transfer)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 14m (15yd 11in) from the main entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located on the right of the left hand corridor past reception.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 94cm (3ft 1in).
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 145cm x 224cm (4ft 9in x 7ft 4in).
    • There is not sufficient turning space in the cubicle for a wheelchair user.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 79cm (2ft 7in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is not fully functional.
    • The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are sanitary and waste paper pedal bin disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • There are coat hooks in the toilet at 122cm and 156cm from the floor.
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There is a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The shelf does not have the minimum dimensions of 12.5cm x 40cm.
    • The shelf is at a height of 89cm.
    • The shelf is not located where it is reachable.
    • There is a mirror.
    • Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 104cm (3ft 5in).
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 86cm (2ft 10in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • There is a high colour contrast between the external door and wall.
    • There is a high visual contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the walls and floor.
    • The lighting levels are good.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
    • Baby change facilities are located in this toilet.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 82cm (2ft 8in).

Accessible Changing Room

  • There are accessible changing rooms available.
  • The facility is 1m (3ft 3in) from the main entrance.
  • The door opens outwards.
  • The width of the door is 96cm (3ft 2in).
  • The door is locked by a lever twist.
  • The dimensions of the accessible changing room are 426cm x 307cm (13ft 12in x 10ft 1in).
  • The toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
  • There is a lateral transfer space.
  • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
  • The lateral transfer space is 84cm (2ft 9in).
  • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
  • There is not a flush on the transfer side.
  • Wall mounted rails are available.
  • The toilet seat is 51cm (1ft 8in) above floor level.
  • There is a sink.
  • The sink cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
  • The height of the sink is 51cm (1ft 8in).
  • The tap type is lever.
  • There is a mixer tap.
  • There is an emergency alarm in the cubicle.
  • The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
  • There is not a locker within the accessible changing room.
  • The accessible changing room has a ceiling tracking hoist.
  • There is a changing bench.
  • The facility changing bench is wall mounted.
  • The facility changing bench height is adjustable.
  • The length of the bench is 176cm (5ft 9in).
  • There is a wheel in shower.
  • The facilities available in the accessible shower are an adjustable shower head.
  • Comments View
    • The basin is height adjustable.
    • Wall mounted hooks are at heights of 100cm and 137cm.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Availability and Location of Standard Toilets View
    • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s) View
    • The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located at the back of the venue on the right.
    • The female and male toilets are approximately 17m (18yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the female and male toilets.
    • Lighting levels in the female and male toilets are moderate to good.
  • Comments View
    • The toilets also contain larger cubicles with doors that open outwards.
    • The wash basin is at 86cm and the lowered wash basin is at 75cm
    • In the male toiles urinals are at 70cm and 42cm high.
    • The toilet seat in the ambulant cubicle is 51cm high.

Additional Info

  • Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
  • Documents can be requested in Braille.
  • Documents can be requested in large print.
  • A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.