Access Guide
Introduction
- Related link Age Exchange Reminiscence Centre.
- Http://www.disabledgo.com/en/access-guide/age-exchange-reminiscence-centre-2
- Related link Age Exchange website.
- Http://www.age-exchange.org.uk/about_us/visit.html
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Comments
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- Blackheath Village Community Library is part of Lewisham Council's public library service.
- The main library is located on the lower ground floor of Age Exchange, with some books in the upper ground floor reminiscence lounge.
- The library is fully accessible by lift and has accessible toilets. .
- A range of groups and classes such as story time, art & knitting groups, are held at the library. Please see the library website for full listings.
- Library users also have access to all the facilities of the Age Exchange including the lounge, café and garden.
- Please see the access guide to the Age Exchange for full details.
Opening Times
- Monday 09:00 - 18:00.
- Tuesday 09:00 - 18:00.
- Wednesday 09:00 - 18:00.
- Thursday 09:00 - 18:00.
- Friday 09:00 - 18:00.
- Saturday 09:00 - 17:00.
- Sunday Closed.
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Comments
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- The library opening times are the same as for the Age Exchange.
Location
- The venue is situated within the centre of the area.
- This venue is situated in Blackheath.
- The venue is situated on a road which has a steep gradient.
- There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
- The nearest mainline station is Blackheath.
Parking (Staff Car Park)
- The venue does have its own car park.
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Venue Car Park
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- Parking is not free for all users.
- Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
- The car park is at the back of the venue.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do need to be booked in advance.
- The car park is off Bennet Park.
- There are 1 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
- The nearest designated bay is 14m (15yd) from the Garden to Cafe 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 block paving.
- There is a dropped kerb / non stepped access from the car park to the venue.
- The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
- The patron does not have to cross a road.
- The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
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Drop-off Point
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- There is not a designated drop off point.
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Comments
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- There is level access from the car park into the main building via the platform lift from the garden to the café.
- Blackheath Station car park (vehicle access off Hurren Close) is opposite the venue.
- There is on-street parking in the area in the evenings.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the venue.
- There is level access into the venue.
- The main doors open automatically.
- The doors are single width.
- The door opening is 84cm (2ft 9in) wide.
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Comments
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- The powered doors are operated by a push pad.
- The push pad is within reach of a wheelchair user.
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 on tape or disc.
- There is an ordering service.
- The library does not have computers with accessible software.
- Auxiliary aids are available for computer users.
- A large text keyboard and large rollerball mouse is / are available.
- Equipment available for people with a visual impairment includes magnifiers.
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Comments
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- The main group of computers are located in The Pit (basement), off the lower ground floor.
- This area is not served by the lift and is not accessible.
- Because of this, there is a further public computer terminal located on the upper ground floor, 2m from the lift (see photo).
Inside Access
- There is level access to the service.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- This venue does not play background music.
- Lighting levels are varied.
Other Floors (Main Stairs)
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Steps
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- The floors which are accessible by stairs are B-LG-G-UG.
- There are 7-6-9 steps between floors.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- The steps are deep.
- The steps do have handrails.
- The steps have a handrail on both sides.
- There is a landing.
- The lighting level is bright.
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Comments
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- Computer area in the basement (The Pit).
Other Floors (Library - Lounge Stairs)
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Steps
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- The floors which are accessible by stairs are LG-UG.
- There are 13 steps between floors.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- The steps are deep.
- The steps do have handrails.
- The steps have a handrail on both sides.
- There is a landing.
- The lighting level is medium.
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Comments
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- These stairs connect the rear of the library with the reminiscence lounge in the centre of the building.
Lift
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located ahead of the main entrance.
- The lift is a platform lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are LG-G-UG.
- The lift is 6m (19ft 8in) from main entrance.
- 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 95cm x 150cm (3ft 1in x 4ft 11in).
- There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
- The lift does not have an audible announcer.
- The controls for the lift are within reach for a wheelchair user.
- The lift controls do not have Braille markings.
- The lift controls do have tactile markings.
- The lighting level in the lift is medium.
Accessible Toilet
- There are accessible toilets 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 signage on or near the toilet door.
- The accessible toilet is 13m (14yd) from the lift.
- The accessible toilet is located on the lower ground floor, at the rear of the library.
- There is level access to the 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 inwards.
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 78cm (2ft 7in).
- The door is light.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 148cm x 250cm (4ft 10in x 8ft 2in).
- Floor manoeuvring space is clear in the accessible toilet.
- 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 not a functional emergency alarm available.
- It is tied up and out of reach (higher than 10cm (0ft 4in) from floor).
- Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
- There is a coat hook.
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Position of Fixtures
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- Wall mounted rails are available.
- As you face the toilet the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
- There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- There are mirrors in the accessible toilet.
- Mirrors are 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 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 not a toilet roll holder.
- There is a sink.
- The sink can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The sink 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 poor.
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is poor.
- The contrast between the grab rails and wall is good.
- The contrast between the drop down rails and wall is good.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is fair.
- Lighting levels are bright.
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Comments
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- There is a second accessible toilet adjacent to (to the left of) the one described.
- This toilet is identical but laid out with the transfer space on the opposite hand (left).
- There is a baby change facility in the left-hand accessible toilet.
- The height of the baby change bench once extended is 78cm ( 2ft 6in) high.
Standard Toilet(s)
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Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
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- Standard toilets are not available.
Additional Info
- Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.