Access Guide
Introduction
- Services / facilities within the building include classrooms, hydrotherapy pool, dining room, sports hall, independent living skills area and a library.
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Comments
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- The Michael Tippett School is a small secondary school for students aged between 11 and 19.
- Students have a range of complex needs, including autism, profound and multiple learning difficulties and communication difficulties.
Location
- There is not a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
- The nearest National Rail station is Loughborough Junction.
- The nearest underground station is Brixton.
Parking
- The venue does have its own car park.
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Venue Car Park
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- Parking is free for all users.
- The car park is located in front of the venue.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders cannot booked in advance.
- There is/are 2 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
- The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 300cm x 470cm (9ft 10in x 15ft 5in).
- The nearest designated bay is 26m (28yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- The furthest designated bay is 28m (30yd 1ft) from the main 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 slopes/ramps.
- The car park surface is concrete.
- The patron does not have to cross a road.
- The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
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Comments
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- The surface under the parking bays is gravel bound within a plastic mesh.
- There is some on-street parking in long bays on the street outside the venue.
- Most pupils arrive by school bus.
Outside Access (Pedestrian Entrance Gate)
- This information is for the entrance located to the left of the vehicle entrance, on Heron Road.
- There is not level access into the venue.
- The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is / are single.
- The door(s) is / are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 108cm (3ft 7in).
Level Change (Pedestrian Entrance Gate)
- There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
- The ramp or slope is located immediately beyond the entrance.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located in the car park.
- There is level access into the venue.
- The intercom is not in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The width of the door opening is 150cm (4ft 11in).
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Second set of doors
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- 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 150cm (4ft 11in).
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Comments
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- There is a third, identical set of automatic doors after the reception desk.
Reception
- The desk/counter is 3m (3yd 10in) from the main entrance.
- 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 bright.
- 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 not play background music.
- Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
- The lighting levels are bright.
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Comments
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- The room for teaching independent living skills includes a hob and sink on adjustable height worktops (photograph 3).
- Some of the classrooms have ceiling track hoists covering all the entire room.
Outside Access (Playground Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located in the playground.
- There is level access into the venue.
- The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The width of the door opening is 150cm (4ft 11in).
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Comments
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- There are similar doors from the playground into each of the ground floor classrooms, and the main foyer area.
Other Floors (Right Hand Stairs)
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Steps
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- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G-1.
- There are 15 steps between floors.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- The steps are deep (18cm+).
- The steps do have handrails.
- The steps have a handrail on both sides.
- There is a landing.
- The lighting levels are medium.
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Comments
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- There is a similar staircase to the left after the main entrance.
Lift (Right Hand Side)
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located next to the right hand staircase.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are G-1.
- The lift is 25m (27yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The clear door width is 79cm (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.
- 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 bright.
Lift (Left Hand Side)
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located next to the left hand staircase.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are G-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 130cm (4ft 3in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 140cm x 280cm (4ft 7in x 9ft 2in).
- 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 medium.
Eating and Drinking (Dining Room)
- The cafe is located on the ground floor, to the rear right of the building.
- Full table service is not available.
- Food or drinks are ordered from the service counter.
- Food or drinks can be brought to the table.
- There is not a lowered section at the counter.
- Some tables are permanently fixed.
- Some chairs are permanently fixed.
- No chairs have armrests.
- The nearest table is approximately 4m (4yd 1ft) from the dining room entrance.
- The standard height for tables is 70cm.
- There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- Plastic / takeaway cups are available.
- Plastic / takeaway cutlery is available.
- Drinking straws are available.
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Comments
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- There are no menus. Diners choose from the food on display.
Counter (Cafe Kiosk)
- The counter is 15m (16yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- There is level access to the counter from the entrance.
- There is not a lowered section.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- The height of the counter is low (76cm or below).
- Lighting levels are bright.
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Comments
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- The cafe kiosk is located in the foyer, opposite the main entrance.
- The kiosk serves drinks and snacks.
- It is partially run by students, with snacks made in the training kitchen.
Swimming Pool (Hydrotherapy)
- There is level access from the changing area to the swimming pool.
- There is not a ramped entrance into the water.
- There is not a wet side chair available.
- There is a hoist for wheelchair users to access the water.
- The hoist is hydraulic.
- There are steps into the swimming pool.
- There are 7 steps.
- The steps do have handrails.
- The handrails are on both sides.
- There is not a ladder type entrance into the water.
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Comments
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- There is one step up to reach the poolside where the steps into the pool are.
- Three sides of the pool have a seat-height wall around.
- There is also a seat built into the side of the pool.
Changing Places (Hydrotherapy)
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Location and access
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- The facility is located in the hydrotherapy pool suite.
- The facility is approximately 40m (43yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
- There is level access to the facility.
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Dimensions and features
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- You do not need a key for the facility.
- The dimensions of the facility are 320cm x 430cm (10ft 6in x 14ft 1in).
- The facility changing bench height is adjustable.
- The facility changing bench is free standing.
- The length of the facility changing bench is 150cm (4ft 11in).
- The facility hoist is powered overhead.
- The overhead hoist covers all areas in cubicle.
- The sling is attached to the hoist by hook and loop.
- The facility toilet has a transfer space on both sides.
- The transfer space on the left as you face the toilet is 270cm (8ft 10in).
- The transfer space on the right as you face the toilet is 130cm (4ft 3in).
- Wall mounted grab rails are available.
- As you face the toilet the wall mounted grab rails are on the left.
- Drop down rails are provided.
- As you face the toilet the drop down rail(s) is/are on both sides.
- The type of wash basin is fixed.
- Wall mounted grab rails are available at the wash basin.
- As you face the wash basin, the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
- Disposal facilities are not available.
- A privacy screen is available.
- Wide tear off paper roll is not available.
- The facility has a non slip floor.
- A functioning emergency alarm is not available.
- No emergency alarm is fitted in the cubicle.
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Comments
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- The changing area is separated by curtains from the poolside area.
- There are three changing benches.
- The area can be subdivided by further curtains.
Accessible Shower (Hydrotherapy)
- Accessible shower facilities are available.
- The accessible shower(s) surveyed is/are located within three identical changing rooms, to the right of the pool area.
- The facilities available in the accessible shower(s) include; an adjustable shower head, handrails and a flip down seat.
- The height of the seat is 50cm (1ft 8in).
- Other facilities available include; dropdown rails.
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Comments
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- There is also a changing bench in each of the changing rooms.
Changing Places (Hygiene Room)
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Location and access
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- The facility is located to the left as you enter.
- The facility is approximately 25m (27yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- There is level access to the facility.
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Dimensions and features
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- You do not need a key for the facility.
- The door opens inwards.
- The width of the door is 88cm (2ft 11in).
- The dimensions of the facility are 330cm x 500cm (10ft 10in x 16ft 5in).
- The facility changing bench height is adjustable.
- The facility changing bench is free standing.
- The length of the facility changing bench is 150cm (4ft 11in).
- The facility hoist is powered overhead.
- The overhead hoist covers all areas in cubicle.
- The sling is attached to the hoist by hook and loop.
- The facility toilet has a transfer space on one side only.
- The transfer space on the right as you face the toilet is 230cm (7ft 7in).
- Wall mounted grab rails are available.
- As you face the toilet the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
- Drop down rails are provided.
- As you face the toilet the drop down rail(s) is/are on the right.
- The type of wash basin is fixed.
- Wall mounted grab rails are available at the wash basin.
- As you face the wash basin, the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
- Disposal facilities are available.
- A privacy screen is available.
- Wide tear off paper roll is not available.
- The facility has a non slip floor.
- A functioning emergency alarm is not available.
- It is out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from the floor).
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Comments
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- The wheel-in shower which can be seen in this room is no longer in use.
- There is another similar facility further along the ground floor corridor, and a third on the first floor (photograph 4).
Accessible Toilet (First Floor)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) within this venue designated for public use.
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Location and Access
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- The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
- There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the left hand lift.
- This accessible toilet is located on the first floor, in the centre of the building.
- There is level access to this accessible toilet.
- This is by lift.
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Features and Dimensions
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- This is a unisex 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 82cm (2ft 8in).
- The door is heavy.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 160cm x 190cm (5ft 3in x 6ft 3in).
- 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 89cm (2ft 11in).
- There is no dropdown rail.
- 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 was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
- Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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Position of Fixtures
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- Wall-mounted grab rails are not available.
- 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 130cm (4ft 3in).
- 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).
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- 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 walls and floor is good.
- The lighting levels are bright.
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Comments
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- At the time of our visit (March 2016) it appeared that the grab rails or dropdown rail had not been refixed since the room had been retiled.
Standard Toilet(s)
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Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
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- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s)
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- The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located off the main ground floor corridor.
- The female and male toilets are 15m (16yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the female and male toilets.
- Lighting levels are bright.
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Comments
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- There are several sets of toilets off the main corridor, on both the ground and first floors.
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.
- This service can be requested.
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Comments
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- Many staff have training in Makaton and using the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS).