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Verena Holmes

Canterbury Christ Church University, North Holmes Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 1QU

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • There are bollards on approach to the west entrance from the from the underground car park.
  • The Verena Holmes building has three entrances - one on level 1 and two on level 0.
    One provides step-free level access floor 1.
    There are automatic sliding double doors at the entrance to the west and south on floor 0.
    There are also automatic sliding double doors to access the building on floor 1 off the external car park.
    There are manual double doors to access the building from the underground car park on floor 0.
  • The west entrance and south entrance signage says Verena Holmes.
    The rear floor 1 car park entrance has signage says Verena Holmes building.
    The underground car park entrance is not signed. .
  • The west entrance has step-free level access to floor 0. .
  • The south entrance is located to the south of the building and has two sets of automatic double doors. It has step-free level access with bollards on approach.
    The rear car park entrance is located off the external rear car park and has automatic double doors. This entrance provides step-free level access to floor 1.
    The underground car park entrance provides step-free level access via manual doors to floor 0. .

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the building on all floors.
  • There are eight 18cm steps to access room VH.0.03 on floor 0, these steps can be bypassed by a platform lift.
  • The surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth, with some having a shiny finish.
  • There are resting areas in some circulation and lobby areas with a mixture seating.
  • There is wall mounted wayfinding and overhead signage throughout the building.
    There are maps located around the building.
    There is also a touchscreen in the building.
  • There are manual doors located in many of the circulation routes within the building.
  • There are hearing loops in many of teaching rooms including
    0.01, 0.03. 0.04, 0.21a and 0.22 on the floor 0.
    1.01, 1.02, 1.04, 1.05 1.09, 1.10, 1.14a, 1.15,1.24, 1.26, 1.27 and 1.29 on floor 1.
    2.02, 2.03. 2.04a, 2.04b, 2.04c, 2.47, 2.59, and 2.60 on floor 2.
    3.04, 3.06, 3.07, 3.08, 3.09, 3.10, 3.11, 3.12, 3.13, 3.21, 3.24 and 3.39 on floor 3.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 8 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located in the central space of the building on the floors 0, 1, 2 and 3 and in the area to the north of the building on floors 1, 2 and 3. There is an additional toilet with adaptations in the changing room area in the central space on floor 0.
    • All toilets with adaptations have a right hand transfer space.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located in the shared toilets in the central space on floors 0, 1, 2 and 3.
    • The shared step-free toilet facilities are located in the central space on floors 0, 1, 2 and 3.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Standard changing facilities are located in the central space on the floor 0 and in the area to the north of the building on floor 0.
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located in the floor 0 toilet with adaptations cubicle in the centre of the building.
    • VH 0.19 in the central space on floor 0 is designated as being a baby room.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • The shower facilities which have adaptations are located within all toilets with adaptions within the central space. As well as the toilet with adaptations located in the life sciences area towards the north of the building on floor 3.
    • Standard shower facilities are located on floor 0.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Parking (Underground)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located underneath the Verena Holmes Building.
    • The car park is underground.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • The height of the restriction barrier is 250cm.
    • There are 3 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked and signposted.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 230cm (width) x 460cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides and rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 120cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 35m from the west entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access, uneven surfaces and bollards.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for staff permit holders only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Points View
    • There are 2 electric vehicle charging points.
    • The dimensions of the surveyed electric vehicle charging bay are 230cm (width) x 460cm (depth).
    • The nozzle holster is not at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The charging points require an app.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Parking (External Car Park)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located to the rear of the building.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 5 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked and signposted.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 245cm (width) x 490cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to one side and the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 130cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 20m from the rear car park entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access and a very easy ramp or slope.
    • There is a dropped kerb with tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for staff permit holders only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are available.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Entrance (West)

  • This entrance is located towards the front of the building.
  • The approach to the entrance has bollards.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 116cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 161cm.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There are bollards to the left of the entrance on approach with a width of 118cm between them. .

Lift (Central)

  • The lift surveyed is located in the centre of the building.
  • The distance from the west entrance is 30m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The floors 0, 1, 2 and 3 are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a high visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The external lift control buttons have a low visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 90cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 110cm (width) x 230cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing and a visual floor indicator.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There are other lifts available at this location which are of a similar size.

Stairs (Central)

  • The stairs surveyed are located in the central space of the building.
  • There are double manual doors to access the stairwell.
  • The floor 0, 1, 2 and 3 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 18cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • Manual double doors are used to access the staircase on some floors but not others.

Standard Changing Room

  • The changing room surveyed is located on the ground floor.
  • The distance from the west entrance is 60m.
  • The most accessible route to the changing room has step-free level access.
  • There is step-free level access into the changing room.
  • The door opens inwards and has a high visual contrast.
  • The width of the door opening is 90cm.
  • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
  • Facilities in the changing room include: a wash basin, a locker and a dry seat for changing.
  • The wash basin has a push tap.
  • Additional features include: a mirror, coat hooks and a paper towel dispenser.
  • The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
  • There is a fixed height shower head.
  • The shower controls are push.
  • There is a flip-down shower seat.
  • The walls and floor have a low visual contrast.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (Floor 0 - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located in the central space next to the central space lifts on floor 0.
    • The distance from the west entrance is 30m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens inwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 85cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a medium visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 330cm (width) x 360cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 290cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 98cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 73cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 98cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 96cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is no mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a nappy/incontinence items bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 153cm from the floor.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 92cm.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Shower with Adaptations (Within Toilet with Adaptations - Floor 0 - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The shower surveyed is located within floor 0 toilet with adaptations.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the shower (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is an adjustable shower head which can also be detached.
    • The shower controls are twist/turn.
    • There is a flip-down shower seat.
    • The shower seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • There are grab rails and dropdown rails for the shower.
    • The grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • The dropdown rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm for the shower, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.