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Starfish House - Step 2

3 North Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 4AT

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Access Guide

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Overview (Starfish House - Step 2)

Toilet and Changing Facilities (Starfish House - Step 2)

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located at the rear of the building.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a right hand transfer space.
    • The shared step-free toilet facilities are located at the rear of the building.

Parking (Starfish House - Step 2)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located on North Road.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There is 1 designated Blue Badge parking bay available.
    • The Blue Badge bay is clearly marked and signposted.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 250cm (width) x 475cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to one side and the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 120cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 14m from the Starfish House - Step 2 main entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has slight ramps or slopes and uneven surfaces.
    • There is a dropped kerb without tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
    • There is a permanently held open gate on the route from the Blue Badge bay to the entrance.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for staff, visitors and Blue Badge holders only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are not available.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Entrance (Starfish House - Step 2 Main Entrance)

  • This entrance is located on North Road.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via a very easy slope at the entrance.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 115cm.
  • There is a single manual door at this entrance.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 78cm.
  • The door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception (Main Reception)

  • The reception is located immediately to the left of the Starfish House - Step 2 main entrance.
  • The distance from the Starfish House - Step 2 main entrance is 1m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 80cm.
  • The reception has glazed screens.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Getting Around (Starfish House - Step 2)

  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • The following areas have stepped access: the Seahorse Room.
  • Access throughout may include doors permanently held open.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • The visual contrast between the walls and floor varies between low and high.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
  • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout.
  • Seating available in the walkways includes: chairs without armrests.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.

Room (Waiting Room - Dolphin Room)

  • The room is located to the left of the Starfish House - Step 2 main entrance.
  • The distance from the Starfish House - Step 2 main entrance is 5m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is a single manual door with a high visual contrast.
  • The door opens inwards.
  • The width of the opening is 82cm.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the room.
  • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is not space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • Seating available in the room includes: chairs without armrests, armchairs and bariatric chairs with armrests.
  • Furniture available in the room includes: coffee tables.
  • The surface heights are not suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear underside space of the surfaces is not suitable for wheelchair users.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Additional facilities/services include: a wash basin.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this room.
  • Announcements are in person.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Consultation / Medical Room (Starfish Room)

  • There are 3 consultation/medical rooms available.
  • The room surveyed was; Starfish Room.
  • The room is located to the left of reception.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is a single manual door with a high visual contrast.
  • The door opens outwards.
  • The width of the opening is 76cm.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the room.
  • Furniture can be moved to enable a manoeuvring space for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
  • Seating available in the room includes: chairs without armrests and armchairs.
  • Furniture available in the room includes: tables.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the function/event .
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Starfish House Exit to the Seahorse Room and Outdoor Area

  • The exit area is not clearly signed.
  • There is step-free level access at the exit.
  • There is a single manual door at this exit.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 77cm.
  • The door has a low visual contrast.
  • There is step-free access via ramp as you exit.
  • The ramp has a steep gradient.
  • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.
  • The height of the bell is 122cm.

Consultation / Medical Room (Seahorse Room)

  • There are 3 consultation/medical rooms available.
  • The room surveyed was; Seahorse Room.
  • The room is located outside at the rear of the building.
  • The most accessible route to the room has a steep ramp or slope and manual doors.
  • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free access via ramp into the room.
  • The ramp has a steep gradient.
  • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.
  • There are double manual doors with a low visual contrast.
  • One of the doors was locked at the time of the survey.
  • The locked door can be opened on request.
  • The doors open outwards.
  • The width of the opening is 60cm.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the room.
  • Furniture can be moved to enable a manoeuvring space for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • Seating available in the room includes: chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in the room includes: tables.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this room.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Outdoor Spaces (Starfish House - Step 2)

  • The following is available in this area: a grassed play area.
  • Outdoor areas consist of rubber tarmac and paving slabs.
  • There are footpaths throughout.
  • The majority of the paths are wide enough for wheelchair users.
  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • There are seats situated along the paths for people to rest.

Toilet with Adaptations (Starfish House - Step 2 - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located at the far left of the building.
    • The distance from the Starfish House - Step 2 main entrance is 7m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens both ways and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 86cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 145cm (width) x 196cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 74cm (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.
    • The toilet has a padded backrest.
    • 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 92cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 74cm 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 106cm 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 104cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm but it was tied up at the time of the survey.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.