Access Guide
Overview
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About
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- The venue is a lending library.
- Services available in the venue include: computer access and free wi-fi.
- There are no toilet facilities.
- View information on opening times.
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Parking and Public Transport
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- The venue has its own car park.
- The nearest train station is Sawbridgeworth Station.
- This station has step-free access.
- For the latest travel options and information you can plan your travel using Google Maps (opens new tab).
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Getting In and Around
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- There is step-free access via a slight ramp at the most accessible entrance.
- The most accessible entrance is the main entrance.
- The following areas have stepped access: the non fiction section.
- Doors are held open along circulation routes.
- Access throughout may include narrow walkways.
- The first floor can be accessed via stairs.
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Getting Help and Assistance
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- Seating is available.
- There is a fixed hearing assistance system.
- The alternative formats documents can be provided in include: Braille, large print and audio.
- There is a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
Parking
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Car Park
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- The car park is located at the rear of the library.
- The car park is open air/surface.
- The car park surface consists of tarmac.
- There are no designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
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Charges and Restrictions
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- This car park is for staff and visitors only.
- Parking is free for all users.
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Electric Vehicle Charging Points
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- Electric Vehicle charging points are not available.
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Drop-off Point
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- There is not a designated drop-off point available.
Entrance
- This entrance is located at the front of the library on The Forebury.
- The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces and bollards.
- The entrance area is not clearly signed.
- There is not 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 between 75cm and 150cm wide.
- There are handrails on both sides, which are within reach.
- There is one step.
- There are no handrails for the step.
- The step marking is not clearly visible.
- The height of the step is between 15cm and 18cm.
- There is a single automatic door, which is push pad activated.
- The height of the push pad is 66cm.
- The door opens towards you.
- The width of the opening is 101cm.
- The door has a high colour contrast.
- There is a second set of double automatic doors.
- The doors are permanently held open.
- The width of the opening is 81cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
- The doors have a high colour contrast.
- There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 97cm.
Reception
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Location
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- The reception is located to the right as you enter the library.
- The distance from the entrance is 4m.
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Route
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- The most accessible route to the reception has step-free level access.
- There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
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Access
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- There is step-free level access to the reception.
- The height of the reception desk is 76cm.
- There is not a lowered section at the desk.
- There is a fixed hearing assistance system which is not clearly signed.
- The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
- There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
Getting Around
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Access
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- There is not step-free access between floors.
- There is not step-free level access throughout.
- The following areas have stepped access: the non fiction section.
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Circulation
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- Doors are held open along circulation routes.
- Access throughout may include narrow walkways.
- There is a high colour contrast between the walls and floor along circulation routes.
- There is no (or very little) background noise.
- Wayfinding signage is provided.
- The colour, design and typeface of signage is consistent throughout.
- Seating available in the walkways includes: chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests, armchairs and sofas.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
Library
- There is not step-free level access throughout.
- The following areas have stepped access: the non fiction section.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
- The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
- Seating available in this library includes: chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests, armchairs and sofas.
- Furniture available in the library includes: tables, coffee tables and desks.
- 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.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
- There is a fixed hearing assistance system which is not clearly signed.
- The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
- The height of the touchscreen display ranges from 102cm to 146cm from the floor.
- The touchscreen has the following accessibility aids: adjustable font size.
- This library is able to provide material in the following formats: Braille, large print, ebook and audio.
Stairs
- The stairs are located ahead as you enter the library.
- The first floor can be accessed by these stairs.
- There are handrails on both sides, which are within reach.
- The handrails are easy to grip.
- The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- 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-45cm.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.