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Alston House Personal Independent Payments

White Cross Business Park, South Road, Lancaster, Lancashire, LA1 4XF

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Access Guide

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Summary

  • This is a resource centre property.
  • Services within the building include: Staff offices, assessment for disability payments.

Getting Here

Getting Help and Assistance

  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
  • British Sign Language interpreters can be provided on request.
  • Language interpreters can be provided on request.
  • The alternative formats documents can be provided in include; Braille on request, large print on request, Makaton on request and different languages on request.
  • There is a wheelchair to borrow to aid transferring around the building.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
  • Home visits services are not available.

Opening Times

  • Please contact the venue for details of opening times.

Parking

  • Parking View
    • The venue does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car park is located at the front of the building.
    • 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 tarmac.
    • There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • There is/are 5 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 360cm x 550cm (11ft 10in x 18ft 1in).
    • There is not a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
  • Paying View
    • There are not 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 with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is / are slopes/ramps.
    • The entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
    • The surface on the approach to the entrance is tarmac.
    • There is tactile paving on dropped kerbs between the car park and the entrance.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 3m (3yd 10in) from the Alston House entrance.
  • Comments View
    • BLUE BADGE HOLDERS SHOULD REGISTER THEIR CAR WITH RECEPTION WITHIN 20 MINUTES OF PARKING.

Bus Stop(s) and Drop-off Point(s)

Outside Access (Alston House Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 80cm.

Reception

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located on the fourth floor.
    • The reception point is approximately 1m (3ft 3in) from the PIP entrance.
    • Clear signage for the reception area/desk is not 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 not windows, 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 low (76cm or lower).
    • There is not sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
    • There is not a clear knee recess beneath the low section of the desk.
    • The counter is staffed.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • Signs and universally accepted symbols or pictograms, indicating lifts, stairs, WCs, circulation routes and other parts of the building are not provided in the reception area.
  • Reception Waiting Area View
    • There is a waiting area close to the reception point.
    • Access to the waiting area is unobstructed.
    • There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area.
    • There is a mixture of seating with and without armrests.

Getting Around The Building

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the building.
  • Circulation View
    • There are doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
    • The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is carpet.
    • There is some flooring in corridors which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
    • Handrails with a rounded or oval profile are not provided in corridors.
    • There is good colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
    • The lighting levels are good.
  • Signage View
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout the building.
    • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • Safe Place(s) View
    • There is a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
    • There is a designated safe place located within the Payments Department.
  • Audio View
    • This venue does not play background music in public areas.
    • There is a hearing assistance system in the public areas of the building.

Other Floors

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1, 2, 3, 4.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The going of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on the left going up.
    • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do not cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • There is a landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor of the building are provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels are good.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located just beyond the Alston House entrance.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the Alston House entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1, 2, 3, 4.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on lift lobby landings.
  • There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
  • Lift doors do contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
  • Lighting levels are at least 100 lux at floor level in the lift lobby.
  • The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is good.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is good.
  • The clear door width is 80cm (2ft 7in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 110cm x 140cm (3ft 7in x 4ft 7in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • There is a list of floor services available within the lift.
  • The lift does not have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • There is a hearing loop system.
  • The lift does have Braille markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is good.

Consultation / Treatment Room (Assessment Room 1)

  • There is / are 2 consultation / treatment room(s) available.
  • The name / number of the room surveyed was; Assessment Room 1.
  • There is level access to the consultation / treatment room.
  • There is a/are door(s) into the consultation / treatment room.
  • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is/are single width.
  • The door(s) is/are heavy.
  • The width of the door opening is 87cm (2ft 10in).
  • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is a bed / couch.
  • The bed / couch is adjustable.
  • A hoist is not available.
  • There is sufficient space next to the bed/couch for a mobile hoist to operate.
  • There is a chair.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • The chair(s) is not/are not adjustable.
  • There are some chairs with armrests available.
  • All tables are permanently fixed.
  • The room does not have background music playing.
  • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
  • Lighting levels are bright.

Accessible Toilet(s)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) within this venue designated for public use.
  • Location and Access View
    • The accessible toilet surveyed is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • This accessible toilet is located on the second floor.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the lift entrance.
    • 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.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The door is light.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 87cm (2ft 10in).
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 150cm x 230cm (4ft 11in x 7ft 7in).
    • The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The toilet has a non-slip floor.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 85cm (2ft 9in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • The height of the light switch/pull cord is 140cm from floor level.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are female sanitary disposal units.
    • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • 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 right hand side of the wash basin.
    • There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
    • There is not a standard shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There is not a colostomy changing shelf for standing users next to the toilet.
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • 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).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 90cm (2ft 11in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 73cm (2ft 5in).
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is not a soap dispenser.
    • 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 placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the hand dryer is 110cm (3ft 7in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is poor.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • Lighting levels are at least 100 lux at floor level.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s) View
    • The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located on the fourth floor.
    • The female and male toilets are approximately 12m (13yd 4in) from the lift entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the female and male toilets.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet with wall mounted grab rails is available.
    • There are horizontal and vertical grab rails on both sides of the seat.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilets.
    • Lighting levels are good.
    • Lighting levels are at least 100 lux at floor level.