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Barking Learning Centre

2 Town Square, Barking, Essex, IG11 7NB

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Comments View
    • Each of the services within the centre will have its own opening times.
    • Please contact the relevant service for details.

Opening Times

  • Monday 09:00 - 21:00.
  • Tuesday 09:00 - 21:00.
  • Wednesday 09:00 - 21:00.
  • Thursday 09:00 - 21:00.
  • Friday 09:00 - 21:00.
  • Saturday 09:00 - 17:00.
  • Sunday 10:00 - 16:00.

Location

  • The venue is in a pedestrian area.
  • There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest National Rail station is Barking.
  • The nearest underground station is Upney.

Parking

  • The venue does not have its own car park.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
    • The name of the car park is Vicarage Field Shopping Centre.
    • The car park is located off Ripple Road.
  • On Street Blue Badge Parking View
    • On street marked Blue Badge bays are available.
    • The dimensions of the marked Blue Badge bays are 360cm x 590cm (11ft 10in x 19ft 4in).
    • On street Blue Badge parking is located off Bobby Moore Way.
  • On Street Standard Parking View
    • Clearly signed and / or standard marked parking bays are available.
    • Standard marked parking bays are located on Clockhouse Avenue.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building, in the corner of the square, to the right of Relish Café.
  • There is level access into the venue.
  • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
  • The door(s) is / are single.
  • The width of the door opening is 82cm (2ft 8in).
  • Second set of doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The width of the door opening is 82cm (2ft 8in).

Outside Access (Accessible Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located to the right of the main entrance.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • 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 110cm from floor level.
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 100cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.

Reception (Family Library - Ground Floor)

  • The desk/counter is 22m (24yd 2in) from the main entrance.
  • There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
  • The desk/counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
  • The desk/counter has a low (76cm or lower) section.
  • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The type of system is a portable loop.
  • The hearing assistance system is signed.
  • Staff are trained to use the system.
  • The hearing assistance system was not tested at the time of the survey.
  • There is a touch screen.
  • The touch screen is at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Comments View
    • This reception desk provides information on all council services as well as the library.
    • There is a second reception desk (photograph 4) that is only in use when the library is very busy.
    • This desk is 74cm high and is 10m from the Main Entrance, on the right as you enter.
    • There is level access to this reception.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service(s).
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system is available only on request.
  • The system is a portable loop.
  • Staff are trained to use the system.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • The lighting levels are bright.
  • Comments View
    • Photograph 1 shows the foyer immediately after the main entrance.
    • The gallery space (photograph 2) is located to the right.
    • There is a screened off area with tables and chairs to the right of the foyer (photograph 3). This is mainly used by council staff for more private interviews, but is available for quiet study when not required by staff.
    • The Learning and Job Shop and the Do It Online council contact areas are located to the left of the foyer after the stairs.
    • After the foyer is a meeting room 'pod' (photograph 4) currently used by the Smoking Cessation service.
    • After the ground floor reception on the right is the Children's Library.
    • There is level access from this area by automatic sliding door to a partially sheltered garden area with artificial grass and some child-size seating (photographs 6 and 8).
    • The Citizens Advice Bureau, Digilab, Ageing Well Service and Homes and Money Hub are located at the rear of the ground floor.
    • Photographs 9 and 10 show the adult library on the first floor.
    • There is access to the conference suite and Bath Haus Spa from this area.

Do It Online Access Point

  • The Do It Online Access Point is located to the left after the entrance foyer.
  • There are multiple booths with computer terminals and telephones for customers to contact council departments.
  • There is also an area with iPads set up for scanning and uploading documents as evidence. The iPads are 130cm high and set on tables that are 80cm high.
  • Council staff are available in the area for assistance if needed.
  • To the right of the foyer and also at the rear of the ground floor are self-service payment machines for council services.
  • The maximum height of the touch screens on these machines is 135cm.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G and 1.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.
    • The lighting levels are bright.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the right of the foyer after the main entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G and 1.
  • The lift is approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 112cm (3ft 8in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 140cm x 160cm (4ft 7in x 5ft 3in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lift does have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is low.

Conference Centre and Meeting Rooms

  • The conference centre is located on the first floor, to the left as you exit the lift.
  • This large room has tables and chairs without armrests which can be arranged as required.
  • There is an audio visual console, 100cm high and a speaker's lectern 117cm high (photographs 1 - 4).
  • Photographs 5 and 6 show one of the meeting rooms which is available for hire on the ground floor.
  • There are additional meeting rooms and teaching spaces on the ground and first floor.

Multi-Faith Prayer Rooms

  • There are two small prayer rooms on the first floor, off the corridor to the left as you exit the lift.
  • The rooms have outwards opening doors.
  • The doors are 80cm wide and are operated by key code locks that are 130cm high.

Interview Rooms

  • The 2 interview rooms are located before the main reception on the right.
  • The doors to the rooms are heavy, opens away from you (push) and are 93cm in width.
  • Chairs and tables are available.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 20m (21yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located to the right after the main entrance, off the gallery space.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is required for the accessible toilet.
    • The key is a radar key.
    • The key can be obtained from the main reception desk.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 92cm (3ft).
    • The door is heavy.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 150cm x 210cm (4ft 11in x 6ft 11in).
    • 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 82cm (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 not fully functional.
    • The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are sanitary and non-infectious waste disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
  • 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 the left.
    • 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 49cm (1ft 7in).
    • 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).
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • 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 fair.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are poor.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
    • Baby change facilities are located in the accessible toilet.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 88cm (2ft 11in).
  • Comments View
    • At the time of the survey (August 2018) the transfer space was blocked by the baby change table.

Standard Toilet(s) (Ground Floor)

Toilet with Adaptations (First Floor)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the lift.
    • This accessible toilet is located on the first floor, to the left as you exit the lift.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is required for the accessible toilet.
    • The key is a radar key.
    • The key can be obtained from the counter on the first floor.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 92cm (3ft).
    • The door is heavy.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 150cm x 250cm (4ft 11in x 8ft 2in).
    • There is 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 left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 84cm (2ft 9in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush, however it is not 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 not fully functional.
    • The alarm did not sound when tested.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are sanitary and non-infectious waste disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
  • 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 the right.
    • 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 49cm (1ft 7in).
    • 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).
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • 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 good.
    • There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
  • Comments View
    • At the time of the survey (August 2018) the alarm cord had been broken off near to ceiling level.

Standard Toilet(s) (First Floor)

  • Availability and Location of Standard Toilets View
    • 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 first floor, off the corridor to the left as you exit the lift.
    • The female and male toilets are approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the lift.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the female and male toilets.
    • This is by lift.
    • Lighting levels in the female and male toilets are low to moderate.

Additional Info

  • Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
  • Documents can be requested in Braille.
  • Documents can be requested 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.