Access Guide
Introduction
- Services / facilities within the building include reception, the library, and meeting rooms.
-
Comments
View
- Situated in the Mary Seacole Centre at the heart of the High Street, Lambeth's first self-service library offers books, DVDs, and language courses for loan, plus access to computers, free Wi-Fi & fully equipped meeting rooms.
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 Clapham High Street.
- The nearest underground station is Clapham Common.
Opening Hours
Parking
- The venue does not have its own car park.
-
Public Car Parks
View
- There is not a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
-
On Street Blue Badge Parking
View
- On street marked Blue Badge bays are available.
- The dimensions of the marked Blue Badge bays are 255cm x 480cm (8ft 4in x 15ft 9in).
- On street Blue Badge parking is located in front of the venue.
-
On Street Standard Parking
View
- Clearly signed and / or standard marked parking bays are not available.
-
Drop-off Point
View
- There is not a designated drop off point.
-
Comments
View
- The venue is situated on a red route.
- There are 2 Blue Badge parking bays in front of the building.
- There are an additional 3 Blue Badge parking bays in St Luke's Avenue.
Outside Access (Mary Seacole Centre)
- This information is for the entrance located to the left of the building.
- There is level access into the venue.
- There is a bell/buzzer.
- The height of the bell/buzzer is 126cm (4ft 2in).
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The width of the door opening is 177cm (5ft 10in).
-
Second set of doors
View
- There is a small raised threshold in the doorway.
- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The width of the door opening is 179cm (5ft 10in).
-
Comments
View
- There are some uneven surfaces on the approach to the entrance.
Entrance (Clapham Library)
- This information is for the entrance located on the right after the main entrance into the Mary Seacole Centre.
-
Entrance
View
- There is step-free access at this entrance.
- There are no doors at this entrance.
-
Comments
View
- There are security barriers at the entrance to a width of 96cm.
Reception
- The desk/counter is 3m (3yd 10in) from the entrance to the library.
- There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
- The desk/counter is high (110cm+).
- The desk/counter has a low (76cm or lower) section.
- The lighting levels are good.
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The type of system is a fixed loop.
- The hearing assistance system is signed.
- Staff are trained to use the system.
- The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
- The hearing assistance system was tested on 06/11/2023.
- The hearing assistance system was not working at the time of testing.
-
Comments
View
- There are glazed screens at the reception point which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
Inside Access
- There is not level access to the service(s).
- This venue does not play background music.
- Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
- The lighting levels are good.
-
Comments
View
- There is bench seating available at regular intervals at the slope/steps around the central atrium.
Level Change (Library)
- There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
- The ramp/slope is located as a spiral around the central atrium.
- The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- The ramp does have handrails.
- The handrails are on both sides.
- There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
- The step(s) is/are located at intervals around the central atrium.
- There is/are 15+ step(s) to the area/service.
- The lighting levels at the step(s) are good.
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The handrail(s) is/are on the right going up the step(s).
- The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
- There is a lift to access this area/service.
- The lift does bypass the step(s).
- The lift does bypass the ramp/slope.
-
Comments
View
- The ramp has frequent level landings along its length.
- The steps are in small flights of 3 steps with long landings in between.
- The landings provide bookshelf access.
Library
- 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.
- The library does have computers with accessible software.
- Auxiliary aids are available for computer users.
- A large text keyboard is / are available.
- Other computer auxiliary aids include screen magnifiers.
- Equipment available for people with a visual impairment includes magnifying glass.
-
Comments
View
- There are 6 study rooms.
- There are book borrow/return machines with a scan bed 74cm from the floor.
- The terminal touch screen/payment controls are within 80cm - 138cm from the floor.
- There is a self service document scanner with a scan bed 78cm from the floor.
Lift
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located to the right as you enter the library.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are B, G and 1.
- Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
- The lift is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the entrance to the library.
- Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The clear door width is 90cm (2ft 11in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 108cm 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.
- 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 not have Braille markings.
- The lift does have tactile markings.
- The lighting level in the lift is good.
Other Floors
-
Steps
View
- The floors which are accessible by stairs are B, 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 good.
-
Comments
View
- The stairs are a feature spiral staircase.
Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer 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 24m (26yd 9in) from the main entrance to the library.
- This accessible toilet is located to the right, off the main ramp leading to the lower ground floor.
- There is not 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 87cm (2ft 10in).
- The door is easy to open.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 127cm x 240cm (4ft 2in x 7ft 10in).
- 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 left.
- The lateral transfer space is 85cm (2ft 9in).
- 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 not an emergency alarm.
- Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
- There is a/are sanitary, clinical waste and open waste paper bin disposal units.
- There is a/are coat hook(s).
- The height of the coat hook is 119cm 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 not a mirror.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (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 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 good.
Toilet with Adaptations (Right Hand Transfer Lower 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 17m (18yd 1ft) from the lift.
- This accessible toilet is located on the lower ground floor, right out of the lift, through the third door on the right.
- There is level access to this accessible toilet.
- This is by lift.
-
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 twist lock.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 85cm (2ft 9in).
- The door may be difficult to open.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 175cm x 225cm (5ft 9in x 7ft 5in).
- 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 right.
- The lateral transfer space is 100cm (3ft 3in).
- 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 clinical waste disposal units.
- There is a/are coat hook(s).
- There are coat hooks in the toilet at 120cm and 175cm 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 46cm (1ft 6in).
- 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 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 low to moderate.
Standard Toilet(s)
-
Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
View
- Standard toilet facilities are available.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle with wall mounted grab rails is available.
-
Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s)
View
- Lighting levels in the female and male toilets are good.
-
Access to Standard Shared Toilet(s)
View
- The shared toilets that were surveyed are located on the lower ground floor.
- The shared toilet(s) is/are approximately 20m (21yd 2ft) from the lift.
- Inside the venue, there is not level access to the shared toilet(s).
- Lighting levels in the shared toilets are good.
Level Change (Standard Toilets)
- There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
- The ramp or slope is located to the right as you face the entrance.
- The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- The ramp does have handrails.
- The handrails are on both sides.
- The width of the ramp/slope is 140cm (4ft 7in).
Additional Info
- Documents can be requested in Braille.
- Documents are 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 can be requested.
- Home visits / services are not available.