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Southdown Family Centre

Dark Lane, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 1QB

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include a reception, two meeting rooms, an accessible toilet and a baby change facility.

Opening Times

  • Please contact the venue for details of opening times.

Location

  • There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest National Rail station is Harpenden.
  • Comments View
    • The nearest bus stop (Longfield Road) is on Grove Road and is served by the 357 and the HA1 buses.
    • Harpenden Railway Station is approximately 1.1 miles away.

Parking

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Venue Car Park View
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • The car park is located to the right and behind the venue.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders cannot booked in advance.
    • There is/are 1 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 245cm x 470cm (8ft x 15ft 5in).
    • The nearest Blue Badge bay is 15m (16yd 1ft) from the 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 dropped kerbs.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is a dropped kerb between the car park and the venue.
    • The dropped kerb does 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.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.

Outside Access

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • There is a bell/buzzer.
    • The height of the bell/buzzer is 132cm (4ft 4in).
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 132cm (4ft 4in).
    • 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 75cm from floor level.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 172cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.

Reception

  • The desk/counter is 3m (3yd 10in) from the entrance.
  • There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
  • The desk/counter is low (76cm or lower).
  • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service(s).
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • This venue does play background music.
  • Music is played depending on the activity.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • The lighting levels are moderate to good.

Meeting Rooms

  • There are two meeting rooms available, one to the left as you enter and one down the corridor to the right after you enter.
  • There is step-free access to both meeting rooms.
  • The doors to the meeting rooms open away from you (push).
  • The meeting room to the right has a door width under 75cm wide and the meeting room to the left has a door width over 75cm wide.
  • The surface of the flooring in both rooms is vinyl.
  • Chairs without armrests are available in these rooms.
  • The layout will vary depending on the use of the rooms.

Accessible Toilet (Right Transfer)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located straight ahead and to the left after you enter the venue.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a lever twist.
    • 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 144cm x 298cm (4ft 9in x 9ft 9in).
    • There is not 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 right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 81cm (2ft 8in).
    • 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 alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are sanitary and waste paper pedal bin disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • The height of the coat hook is 147cm from the floor.
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • 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 placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 106cm (3ft 6in).
    • 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 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 poor.
    • There is a poor colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.

Standard Toilet(s)

Parent and Baby Room

  • There is a parent and baby room for public use.
  • The parent and baby room is located ahead as you enter the building.
  • The parent and baby room is approximately 2m from the entrance.
  • There is step-free access to the parent and baby room.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the room.
  • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the parent and baby room door.
  • The baby change table is not set against the wall, permanently fixed at 75cm from the floor.
  • The baby change table is not height adjustable.
  • There are disposal facilities in the parent and baby room.
  • There is a wash basin in the parent and baby room.
  • The height of the wash basin is 73cm.
  • The wash basin tap type is sensor.
  • There is/are not chair(s) in the parent and baby room.
  • There is not a toilet in the parent and baby room.
  • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
  • The lighting levels are moderate to good.

Additional Info

  • Documents are not available in Braille.
  • Documents are not available in large print.
  • A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
  • This service cannot be requested.
  • Home visits / services are not available.