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Thornfield House School

8-12 Jordanstown Road, Newtownabbey, BT37 0QF

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Access Guide

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Location

  • There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest National Rail station is Jordanstown.

Opening Times

  • Monday 08:00 - 17:30.
  • Tuesday 08:00 - 17:30.
  • Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00.
  • Thursday 08:00 - 17:00.
  • Friday 08:00 - 17:00.
  • Saturday Closed.
  • Sunday Closed.

Parking

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Venue Car Park View
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • The car park is located in front of the building.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders cannot 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 340cm x 570cm (11ft 2in x 18ft 8in).
    • The nearest Blue Badge bay is 25m (27yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • The furthest Blue Badge bay is 28m (30yd 1ft) from 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 slopes/ramps.
    • The car park surface is tarmac and block paving.
    • There is a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
    • The road is generally quiet.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is a designated drop off point.
    • The drop off point is located in front of the main entrance.

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 bell is not in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
  • The intercom is in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
  • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
  • The door(s) is / are double.
  • The width of the door opening is 125cm (4ft 1in).
  • Second set of doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 118cm (3ft 10in).

Level Change (Main Entrance)

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

Outside Access (Gymnasium)

  • This information is for the entrance located to the left of the main entrance.
  • There is level access into the venue.
  • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
  • The door(s) is / are single (with a locked extension leaf).
  • The door(s) is / are heavy.
  • The width of the door opening is 86cm (2ft 10in).

Reception

  • The desk/counter is 3m (3yd 10in) 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 bright.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service(s).
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • The lighting levels are varied.

Changing Places

  • Location and access View
    • The facility is located to the right as you enter.
    • The facility is approximately 30m (32yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • There is level access to the facility.
  • Dimensions and features View
    • You do not need a key for the facility.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The width of the door is 87cm (2ft 10in).
    • The dimensions of the facility are 245cm x 228cm (8ft x 7ft 6in).
    • The facility changing bench is wall mounted.
    • The length of the facility changing bench is 120cm (3ft 11in).
    • The facility toilet has a transfer space on one side only.
    • The transfer space on the left as you face the toilet is 175cm (5ft 9in).
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • Drop down rails are provided.
    • As you face the toilet the drop down rail(s) is/are on the left.
    • The type of wash basin is fixed.
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available at the wash basin.
    • As you face the wash basin, the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • Disposal facilities are available.
    • A privacy screen is not available.
    • Wide tear off paper roll is not available.
    • The facility has a non slip floor.
    • A functioning emergency alarm is not available.
    • It is tied up and out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from the floor).

Standard Toilet(s)

Accessible Toilet (Gymnasium)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is written text, pictorial and tactile signage on or near the toilet door.
    • There is pictorial, tactile and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 14m (15yd 11in) from the gymnasium entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located to the left as you enter by the changing rooms.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is not a unisex toilet.
    • The toilet is unisex for people with disabilities and is also used also as a female toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 89cm (2ft 11in).
    • The door is heavy.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 243cm x 186cm (7ft 12in x 6ft 1in).
    • There is 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 137cm (4ft 6in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush 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 fully functional.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are general domestic waste and sanitary disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall-mounted grab rails are available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • 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 47cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • 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
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • There is a medium colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is fair.
    • There is a fair colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are medium.

Additional Info

  • Documents are not available in Braille.
  • Documents are available 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.
  • This service cannot be requested.
  • Comments View
    • While BSL is not used, Paget Gorman Signed Speech (PGSS) is used.
    • PGSS is an unaided augmentative sign system that supports language and communication. It is used in the UK and Ireland and enables practitioners to support children’s communication effectively.
    • It is, and can be, used flexibly at many levels in different settings:
    • with children with specific language impairment as a total communication system in language units/bases,
    • to support inclusion of children with speech, language and communication needs in mainstream education,
    • as a learning tool to support all children to access and understand curriculum vocabulary,
    • to support children whose first language is not English,
    • it is also taught to parents/carers as well as those working in education.