Access Guide
Introduction
- Services / facilities within the building include an OFSTED registered nursery, a café, a youth centre, a fitness suite, 2 sports halls, training rooms, meeting rooms, a dance studio, target outreach and a training centre for first aid, health and safety and food safety.
Location
- There is not a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
- The nearest National Rail station is Seaton Carew.
Opening Hours
Parking
- The venue does have its own car park.
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Venue Car Park
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- Parking is free for all users.
- The car park is located at the side of the venue.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders cannot 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 202cm x 484cm (6ft 8in x 15ft 11in).
- The nearest Blue Badge bay is 35m (38yd 10in) from the main entrance.
- The furthest Blue Badge bay is 347m (379yd 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 block paving.
- 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.
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Drop-off Point
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- There is not a designated drop off point.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
- There is step-free access at this entrance.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
- The main automatic door(s) is/are push pad or push button activated.
- The push pad or push button is 100cm from floor level.
- The door(s) is/are single width with a locked extension leaf.
- The width of the door opening is 103cm.
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Comments
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- There is a dropped kerb on the pathway at the entrance to the building.
Outside Access (Youth Centre Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
- There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
- The bell/buzzer is in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
- The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
- The width of the door opening is 74cm.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located on the pathway either side of the entrance.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
Reception
- The desk/counter is 5m (5yd 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 moderate to good.
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The type of system is a fixed loop.
- Staff are trained to use the system.
- The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
- The hearing assistance system was tested on 23/08/2023.
- The hearing assistance system was not working at the time of testing.
Inside Access
- There is not level access to the service(s).
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The system is a fixed loop.
- Staff are trained to use the system.
- The hearing assistance system was not tested at the time of the survey.
- This venue does play background music.
- Music is played in the rooms and halls during some events and activities.
- Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
- The lighting levels are varied.
Level Change (Front Left Corridor)
- There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
- The ramp/slope is located at the end of the front left corridor leading to the sports hall.
- The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
Eating and Drinking (Key Café)
- The following information is for the café.
- The café is located on the ground floor, to the left of reception.
- The bar does serve food.
- Full table service is not available.
- Food or drinks are ordered from the service counter.
- Food or drinks can be brought to the table.
- There is not a lowered section at the counter.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- Some chairs have armrests.
- The nearest table is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 70cm (2ft 4in).
- The distance between the floor and the highest table is 74cm (2ft 5in).
- The standard height for tables is 74cm.
- There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- Takeaway cutlery is available.
- Drinking straws are available.
- Menus are hand held only.
- Menus are not available in Braille.
- Menus are not available in large print.
- Picture menus are not available.
- Menus are clearly written.
- Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
- The type of food served here is hot and cold meals and snacks.
Fitness Suite
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Access to Fitness Suite
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- The fitness suite is located on the ground floor in the left hand corridor.
- The fitness suite is 18m (19yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
- There is step free access to the fitness suite.
- There are doors into the fitness suite.
- The doors open away from you (push).
- The doors are double.
- The door(s) may be difficult to open.
- The opening is 181cm wide.
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Fitness Suite (General)
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- Staff receive some training in assisting disabled people.
- Training provided is in house.
- Equipment suitable for mobility or sensory impaired users includes free weights and rowing machines.
- A portable hearing assistance system is not available for induction.
- There is not clear manoeuvring space between equipment.
- There is level access to all of the equipment.
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Comments
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- There is a keypad that is used to enter the fitness suite.
- The height of the keypad is 142cm.
- There is a fixed hearing assistance loop that covers all areas of the building including the fitness suite.
Other Floors
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Steps
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- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G and 1.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- 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.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
Lift
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located in the foyer to the left of the cafe.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are G and 1.
- Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
- The lift is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
- Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The clear door width is 79cm (2ft 7in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 133cm x 138cm (4ft 4in x 4ft 6in).
- 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 not have an audible announcer.
- The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
- The lift does have Braille markings.
- The lift does have tactile markings.
- The lighting level in the lift is moderate to good.
Standard Changing Room (Male)
- The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 20m (21yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
- The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the reception desk.
- The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 11m (12yd 1in) from the fitness suite.
- The standard changing room(s) surveyed is/are located on the ground floor, in the corridor facing the fitness suite entrance.
- There is level access to the standard changing room(s).
- Shower facilities are available within the changing room(s).
- There is not level access to the shower facilities.
- The shower cubicle(s) / area is / are accessed via a shallow step.
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Comments
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- There are standard toilets located within the standard changing room.
- There are no ambulant cubicles.
- There are similar standard female changing rooms located in the same area.
Accessible Shower
- Accessible shower facilities are available.
- The accessible shower(s) surveyed is/are located in the accessible toilet cubicle located on the ground floor in the left hand corridor just past the cafe.
- The facilities available in the accessible shower(s) include; an adjustable shower head, handrails and a flip-down seat.
- The height of the seat is 44cm (1ft 5in).
- Other facilities available include; a standard seat.
- There is level access to the services from the accessible shower facilities.
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Comments
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- There is a small lip to enter the shower cubicle.
Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer)
- Accessible toilet facilities are available.
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Location and Access
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- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 13m (14yd 8in) from the main entrance.
- This accessible toilet is located on the ground floor, in the left hand corridor just past the café.
- There is level access to this accessible toilet.
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Features and Dimensions
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- This is a shared 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 86cm (2ft 10in).
- The door may be difficult to open.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 256cm x 241cm (8ft 5in x 7ft 11in).
- 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 left.
- The lateral transfer space is 70cm (2ft 4in).
- 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 open waste paper bin disposal units.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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Position of Fixtures
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- Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on the left.
- 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 46cm (1ft 6in).
- 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 not a towel dispenser.
- 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).
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
- 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 poor.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
Standard Toilet(s)
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Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
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- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Access to Standard Female Toilet(s)
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- The female toilet facilities that were surveyed are located on the first floor, in the left hand corridor.
- The female toilet(s) is/are approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the lift.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the female toilet(s).
- This is by lift.
- Lighting levels in the female toilets are moderate to good.
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Access to Standard Male Toilet(s)
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- The male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located on the first floor, in the left hand corridor.
- The male toilet(s) is/are approximately 11m (12yd 1in) from the lift.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the male toilet(s).
- This is by lift.
- Lighting levels in the male toilets are moderate to good.
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Comments
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- There are also standard female and male toilets in the standard changing rooms.
- There is a boys toilet located on the ground floor in the youth centre, to the left of the main entrance.
- The boys toilet is ambulant with a fixed rail on either side, as shown in photographs 3 and 4.
- There is a standard female toilet located to the right of the boys toilet.
- The female toilet does not have any ambulant cubicles.
Additional Info
- Staff do not receive disability awareness / equality training.
- Documents are not available 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 normally on duty.
- Staff are trained to BSL level 1.
- Home visits / services are available.