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SOLA Centre

South Block, Chesterfield College, Infirmary Road, Chesterfield, S41 7NG

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • The Learning Centre is located on the first floor of South Block.

Opening Times (Learning Centre)

  • Monday 08:30 - 16:30.
  • Tuesday 08:30 - 16:30.
  • Wednesday 08:30 - 16:30.
  • Thursday 08:30 - 16:30.
  • Friday 08:30 - 16:30.
  • Saturday Closed.
  • Sunday Closed.

Location

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

Parking

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Parking is free for all users.
  • Venue Car Park View
    • The car park is located in front of the main entrance.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do need to be booked in advance.
    • There is/are 2 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 420cm x 540cm (13ft 9in x 17ft 9in).
    • Designated parking bays are clearly marked.
    • The nearest Blue Badge bay is 11m (12yd 1in) from the main entrance.
    • The furthest Blue Badge bay is 14m (15yd 11in) 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 concrete.
    • There is a dropped kerb between the car park and the venue.
    • The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
    • There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • 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) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is / are double.
  • The door(s) is / are heavy.
  • The width of the door opening is 167cm (5ft 6in).

Level Change (Main Entrance)

  • There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
  • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
  • The ramp/slope is located on the left as you face the entrance.
  • The ramp/slope is moderate.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • The ramp does not have handrails.
  • The width of the ramp/slope is 120cm (3ft 11in).
  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located leading to the entrance.
  • There is/are 4 step(s) to the area/service.
  • There is tactile paving at the top and bottom of the steps.
  • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
  • The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.

Level Change (Foyer)

  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located immediately beyond the entrance.
  • There is/are 4 step(s) to the area/service.
  • The lighting levels at the step(s) are medium.
  • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
  • The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The handrail(s) is/are in the centre.
  • There is a lift to access this area/service.
  • The lift does bypass the step(s).

Lift (Foyer)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located on the right as you enter.
  • The lift is a platform lift.
  • The platform lift accesses a small level change.
  • The lift is approximately 3m (3yd 10in) from the main entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 78cm (2ft 7in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 75cm x 140cm (2ft 6in x 4ft 7in).
  • There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • The lift does not have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does not have an audible announcer.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does not have tactile markings.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lighting level in the lift is medium.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The lighting levels are bright.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are deep (18cm+).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on the right going up.
    • There is a landing.
    • There is a similar staircase at the left end of building. This staircase has 15+ deep, well marked steps and has access to all floors.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located on the left as you enter.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • The lift is approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 104cm (3ft 5in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 202cm x 160cm (6ft 8in x 5ft 3in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The lift does not have a hearing loop system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lighting level in the lift is medium.
  • Comments View
    • There is a bank of 3 lifts that serve all floors. There is also an additional lift of the same specification located past Students Services.
    • This lift is for use by staff and authorised students only.
    • At the time of surveying this lift was out of order and awaiting an engineer.

Outside Access (Learning Centre Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located at the end of the first floor.
  • There is level access into the venue.
  • Level access is via lift.
  • 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 Learning Centre entrance.
  • There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
  • The lighting levels are medium.
  • The desk/counter is low (76cm or lower).
  • The desk/counter has a low (76cm or lower) section.
  • The desk/counter is staffed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service(s).
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system is available only on request.
  • The system is a portable loop.
  • Staff are trained to use the system.
  • Portable hearing loops can be obtained from the main reception.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • The lighting levels are medium.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • Customers cannot charge scooters or wheelchairs at the venue.

Accessible Toilet

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is written text, tactile, pictorial and Braille signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 25m (27yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located on the left beyond the lifts.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a unisex 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 90cm (2ft 11in).
    • The door is light.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 230cm x 220cm (7ft 7in x 7ft 3in).
    • There is a clear 150cm x 150cm manoeuvring space in the accessible toilet.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 160cm (5ft 3in).
    • 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 pull cord alarm in the cubicle.
    • 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 female sanitary and general domestic waste 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 a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The shelf is not higher than 95cm (3ft 1in).
    • There is a mirror.
    • Mirrors are not 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 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 internal door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is good.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
  • Comments View
    • There are additional toilets that have similar specifications to the toilet surveyed on floors 1, 4 and 6.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Availability and Location of Standard Toilets View
    • Standard toilets are available.
  • Access to Standard Female Toilet(s) View
    • The female toilets are located on the left as you enter.
    • The female toilets are 25m (27yd) from the main entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the female toilet.
    • This is by lift.
    • Lighting levels are bright.
  • Access to Standard Male Toilet(s) View
    • The male toilets are located on the right as you enter.
    • The male toilets are 45m (49yd) from the main entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the male toilet.
    • This is by lift.
    • Lighting levels are bright.
  • Comments View
    • There are additional standard female toilets located on floors 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
    • There are additional standard male toilets located on floors 3 and 4.

Additional Info

  • Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
  • Staff do receive deaf awareness training.
  • Documents can be requested in Braille.
  • Documents can be requested in large print.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
  • This service can be requested.
  • Staff are Text Relay aware.