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Birchington Library.

Alpha Road, Birchington, Kent, CT7 9EG

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Access Guide

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Getting Here

Getting Help and Assistance

  • There is a member of staff available for help and assistance.
  • There is not a member of staff trained in British Sign Language.
  • British Sign Language interpreters cannot be provided on request.
  • The alternative formats documents can be provided in include; Braille on request, large print on request, different languages on request and audio on request.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
  • There are not mobility aids available.
  • Comments View
    • Birchington Heritage Trust Museum is located within the library.

Parking

  • The building does have its own limited parking facilities.
  • Parking View
    • The car park is located at the front of the venue.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park does not have a barrier control system.
    • The car park surface is block paving.
    • There is not a/are not Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
    • Clearly marked/signposted parent and child parking bays are not available.
    • All parking spaces are provided on a first come first served basis.
  • Paying View
    • There are no parking charges for the car park.
  • Access from the Car Park View
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user unaided.
    • The entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
    • The surface on the approach to the entrance is tarmac.
    • There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
  • Drop-off Point(s) View
    • There is not a/are not clearly marked drop-off point(s).
  • Comments View
    • There is space for approximately 3 cars.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • There is a dark mat or floor marking at this entrance that might be perceived as a hole.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 150cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 120cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a slope with a very easy incline.
  • Comments View
    • There is a stand within the lobby area before the second doors, however there is room for a wheelchair to pass comfortably.

Reception

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located at the rear of the library, in the centre.
    • The reception point is approximately 12m (13yd 4in) from the main entrance.
    • The reception area/desk is clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There is step-free access to the reception point.
    • There is a clear unobstructed route to the reception point.
    • There are no windows, TVs, glazed screens or mirrors behind the reception point which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • The reception counter is not placed in front of a background which is patterned.
    • The lighting levels at the reception point are good.
    • The height of the reception counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
    • There is a lowered section of the counter.
    • The height of the lowered section at the counter is 76cm.
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the lowered section of the counter.
    • There is a clear knee recess beneath the lowered section of the counter.
    • The counter is staffed.
    • There is not a bell to attract attention.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system at the reception point.
    • There is a touch screen.
    • Signs and universally accepted symbols or pictograms, indicating lifts, stairs, WCs, circulation routes and other parts of the building are provided in the reception area.
    • The type of flooring in the reception area is carpet.
  • Reception Waiting Area View
    • There is not a waiting area close to the reception point.

Library

  • Library Access and Circulation View
    • There is step-free access into the library.
    • The type of flooring in the library is carpet.
    • There is some flooring in corridors/walkways which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
    • There are no potential trip hazards within the room.
  • Library Services View
    • This library does not have a regular supply of books in Braille.
    • This library does have a regular supply of books in large print.
    • This library does have a regular supply of books in audio format.
    • There is an ordering service.
    • There is a self-service book borrow/return machine available.
    • The self-service machine touch screen is at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • There is step-free access within the library.
    • There are reading/study desks available.
    • The majority of the reading/study desk(s) are 74cm in height.
    • There are no height adjustable desks available.
    • There is a mixture of seating with and without armrests.
    • A member of staff is available to provide assistance.
  • Computer Area View
    • The library does have a computer area.
    • The computer area is located to the far left of the library.
    • There is step-free access to the computer area.
    • The majority of the computer desk(s) are 74cm in height.
    • There is a height adjustable desk in this area.
    • The library does not have computers with accessible software.
    • Auxiliary aids are available for computer users.
    • A large rollerball mouse, height adjustable table and height adjustable chair is / are available.
    • There is a mixture of seating with and without armrests in the computer area.

Accessible Toilet(s) (Library - Left Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) for public use.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located to the rear left of the library, next to the computer area.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is heavy.
    • The door is locked by a lever twist.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 96cm.
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 219cm x 350cm (7ft 2in x 11ft 6in).
    • The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The toilet has a non-slip floor.
    • The height of the light switch/pull cord is 110cm from floor level.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 75cm (2ft 6in).
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a waste bin.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • There is a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are general waste (with no lid) and female sanitary disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • There are coat hooks in the toilet at 100cm and 150cm from the floor.
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • There is not a shelf next to the toilet.
    • The toilet has a cistern.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • 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).
    • There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • Taps have clear markings to indicate hot and cold settings.
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 92cm.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • 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).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is high.
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is high.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is high.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is high.
    • The lighting levels are good.
  • Baby Changing Facilities View
    • Baby changing facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
    • 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.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 88cm (2ft 11in).

Entrance (Birchington Heritage Trust Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located straight ahead as you enter the first set of doors at the main entrance.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 85cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.

Room(s) (Birchington Heritage Trust)

  • Access View
    • The room surveyed was Birchington Heritage Trust.
    • Birchington Heritage Trust is located straight ahead as you enter the main entrance.
    • There is not wayfinding signage on route to the room(s).
    • Signage for the room(s) is available in upper and lower case lettering, that is clearly visible.
    • There is written signage for the room, in upper and lower case lettering, that is clearly visible.
    • The corridor/walkway outside the room(s) is not sufficiently wide enough (150cm+) to allow wheelchair users to pass.
  • Room Details View
    • Light switches are not between 75cm and 120cm (4ft) from floor level.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system for the room(s).
    • There is not a visual fire alarm beacon in the room(s).
    • There is some fixed furniture within the room(s).
    • The clear floor space beneath tables in the room(s) is 75cm.
    • There is not sufficient space for a wheelchair user to turn within the room.
    • Furniture can be reconfigured to allow a turning space for wheelchair users.
    • A height adjustable table/bench is not available.
    • There are no chairs with armrests on both sides within the room(s).
    • The type of flooring in the room(s) is vinyl.
    • There is flooring in corridors with a very shiny finish which could cause issues with glare or be perceived as slippery.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and floor is medium.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
    • There is a small reception desk immediately to the right as you enter the room.
      The height of the desk is 76cm.