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North Herts OPPD Day Service

Nightingale House, College Road, Hitchin, SG5 1QS

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Access Guide

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Overview

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
    • The toilets with adaptations are located in the corridor to the right of reception.
    • The transfer space varies between toilets with adaptations.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located in the corridor to the right of reception.
    • Female and male step-free standard toilet facilities are located in the corridor to the right of reception.
  • Changing Places Facilities View
    • Changing Places facilities are located in the corridor to the right past reception.

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located at the front and right hand sides of the building .
    • 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 has faded markings.
    • The Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 230cm (width) x 460cm (depth).
    • There are no hatched/marked zones around the Blue Badge parking bay.
    • The nearest designated bay is 9m from the entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a very easy slope.
    • There is a dropped kerb without tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for staff and visitors only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Points View
    • Electric Vehicle charging points are not available.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a slight gradient.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide.
  • There are no handrails for the ramp.
  • There is a key pad at a height of 75cm.
  • There are double automatic doors.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 133cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a medium colour contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 139cm.
  • The doors have a medium colour contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 131cm.
  • There is a second exit button for the second door located at 94cm.

Reception

  • Location View
    • The reception is located ahead as you enter the building .
    • The distance from the entrance is 3m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the reception has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access to the reception.
    • The height of the reception desk is 95cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
    • The reception has windows which may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • There may be background noise in this area.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
    • Seating available in this area includes: armchairs.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: coffee tables.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access throughout walkways.
  • Circulation View
    • Doors are held open along circulation routes.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the walls and floor along the majority of circulation routes.
    • There may be background noise.
    • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Communal Facilities

  • Kitchen View
    • The kitchen is located past the reception on the left.
    • There is step-free level access into the kitchen.
    • The kitchen is used as a life skills training facility under staff supervision .
    • There is a single manual door.
    • The door opens away from you.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The width of the opening is 92cm.
    • The door has a high colour contrast.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
    • The walls and floor have a medium colour contrast.
    • The work surface is 93cm from the floor.
    • A lowered work surface is not available.
    • Overhead and under counter cupboards are available.
    • The hob is 92cm from the floor.
    • A lowered hob is not available.
    • The oven is at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The sink is 92cm from the floor.
    • A lowered sink is not available.
    • The sink has a lever mixer tap.
    • Seating available in the kitchen includes: chairs with armrests and riser recliner chairs.
    • Furniture available in the kitchen includes: tables and height adjustable tables.
    • The surface height of some of the tables/desks is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • The clear height under some of the tables/desks is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • Facilities within the kitchen include a fridge, a dishwasher, a microwave, a kettle and easy grip cutlery.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.
    • Lighting levels are adjustable.
  • Dining Room View
    • The dining room is located to the right past reception.
    • There is step-free level access into the dining room.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
    • The walls and floor colour contrast varies between low and high.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests and riser recliner chairs.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables and height adjustable tables.
    • The surface height of some of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • The clear height under the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.
  • Lounge View
    • The lounge is located at the rear of the building past reception .
    • There is step-free level access into the lounge.
    • There is a single manual door.
    • The door opens away from you.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • There is a locked extension leaf.
    • The width of the opening is 84cm.
    • The door has a low colour contrast.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
    • The walls and floor have a medium colour contrast.
    • Seating available in the lounge includes: chairs with armrests, armchairs and riser recliner chairs.
    • Furniture available in the lounge includes: tables and height adjustable tables.
    • The surface height of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • The clear height under the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • There is a TV.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location View
    • The toilet surveyed is located in the corridor to the right of reception.
    • The distance from reception is 15m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • Doors are held open along the most accessible route.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens inwards and has a high colour contrast.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The width of the opening is 87cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 155cm (width) x 250cm (depth).
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 83cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush for the toilet.
    • The flush is on the non-transfer side.
    • There is no horizontal grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is no vertical grab rail for the toilet.
    • There are dropdown grab rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The dropdown grab rails have a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a low colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 99cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has lever taps.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 81cm from the floor.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the left side of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low colour contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 109cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low colour contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 107cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm but it was tied up at the time of the survey.
    • There is no mirror.
    • There is a shelf, however there is an obstruction in front of it.
    • The shelf does not meet the AccessAble criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a nappy/incontinence items bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Changing Places

  • Location and Access View
    • The Changing Places facility surveyed is located in the corridor to the right past reception.
    • The Changing Places toilet is in addition to other toilet facilities.
    • There is not a sign at the entrance to the Changing Places facility indicating the location of the nearest toilets and baby changing facilities.
    • The distance from the reception is 12m.
    • The most accessible route to the Changing Places facility has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens inwards and has a high colour contrast.
    • The door requires effort to open.
    • The width of the opening is 85cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door.
    • The dimensions of the facility are 500cm (width) x 480cm (depth).
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (180cm x 180cm).
  • Toilet Details View
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 410cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush for the toilet.
    • The flush is on the transfer side.
    • There is no horizontal grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • There are dropdown grab rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The dropdown grab rails have a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 46cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder has a low colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 106cm from the floor.
  • Changing Bench and Hoist Details View
    • The changing bench is free standing and height adjustable.
    • The length of the changing bench is 195cm.
    • The facility hoist is powered overhead and accesses all areas.
  • Shower Details View
    • There is an adjustable shower head which can also be detached.
    • The shower controls are lever mixer.
    • There is no shower seat.
    • There are no grab rails for the shower.
    • There are no dropdown rails for the shower.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm for the shower but it was tied up at the time of the survey.
  • Other Facilities View
    • There is a fixed height wash basin.
    • The wash basin is 76cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high colour contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser has a low colour contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 102cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser has a low colour contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 115cm from the floor.
    • A wide paper roll dispenser is not available.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is no mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a nappy/incontinence items bin and a pedal bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • A privacy screen is available.
    • The walls and floor colour contrast varies between low and high.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • There is a wheel in shower with bi-fold doors that open to a maximum of 125cm. There is a horizontal and a vertical rail. The shower head is adjustable and detachable. The shower has a lever twist control.

Seating Area (Garden)

  • Location and Access View
    • The garden is located to the left of the corridor past reception.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access.
    • Doors are held open along the most accessible route.
    • There is step-free level access to this area.
    • There is a single automatic door.
    • The door opens towards you.
    • The width of the opening is 79cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
    • The door has a low colour contrast.
  • Seating Area View
    • The seating area is partially covered.
    • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
    • There is step-free access by ramp to various areas of the patio and seating.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
    • Seating available in this area includes: benches.
    • Some seating is fixed.
    • There may be background noise in this area.