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St Mary and St John the Divine Church

Balham High Road, London, SW12 9BS

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • There is step-free access via slope at the most accessible entrance.
    • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas, this may include the use of a lift.
    • The following areas have stepped access: the ground floor music and community room, the pews and altar and male standard toilet.
    • Access throughout may include manual doors, doors permanently held open and narrow aisles.
    • The ground and first floors can be accessed via a platform lift and stairs.
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • There is seating available.
    • There is a fixed hearing assistance system.
    • There is a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
    • There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located on the first floor at the end of the corridor next to the lift.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a right hand transfer space.
    • The shared step-free toilet facilities are located on the first floor.
    • The female step-free toilet facilities are located on the ground floor to the left of the nave.
    • The male toilet facilities are located on the ground floor to the left of the nave.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located in the toilet with adaptations on the first floor.

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located to the right hand side of the church.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are no designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access and slight ramps or slopes.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for staff and visitors only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Entrance (Church Entrance)

  • This entrance is located to the right hand side of the church.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via slope at the entrance.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.
  • There is a bell at a height of 100cm.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 100cm.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance.
  • The doors are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 138cm.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is a second set of double manual doors.
  • The second set of doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 126cm.
  • The second set of doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Outdoor Spaces (Garden)

  • Outdoor areas consist of grass and block paving.
  • There are footpaths throughout.
  • The majority of the paths are wide enough for wheelchair users.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
  • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: the entrance to the communal rooms.
  • There are seats situated along the paths for people to rest.
  • The gate to the garden opens away from you and is 82cm wide.

Entrance (Community Rooms)

  • This entrance is located at the rear of the garden to the left of the church.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via slope at the entrance.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.
  • There is a key lock at a height of 136cm.
  • There is a single manual door at this entrance.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 102cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas, this may include the use of a lift.
  • The following areas have stepped access: access to the music room, the pews and altar and the male standard toilet.
  • Access throughout may include manual doors and narrow aisles (less than 120cm).
  • There is a high visual contrast between the walls and floor in the majority of walkways.
  • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the function/event.
  • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.
  • Lighting levels are adjustable in some areas.

Room (Music Room / Community Room)

  • The room is located at the rear of the corridor after you enter via the community rooms entrance.
  • The distance from the community rooms entrance is 22m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has steps.
  • There is written text signage on or near the door.
  • There is stepped access into the room.
  • There are 4 steps with a handrail on the left going down.
  • The handrail is easy to grip.
  • The handrail covers the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrail does not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The steps are clearly marked.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 15cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is a single manual door with a low visual contrast.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 88cm.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the room.
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
  • Seating available in the room includes: chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in the room includes: tables.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There may be background noise in this room.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
  • There are kitchen facilities located at the rear of this room.

Room (The Nave)

  • The room is located directly ahead after the church entrance.
  • The distance from the church entrance is 20m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access, manual doors and doors permanently held open.
  • There is no signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There are double manual doors with a low visual contrast.
  • One of the doors was locked at the time of the survey.
  • The locked door can be opened on request.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 114cm.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
  • The following areas have stepped access: the pews and altar.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
  • Seating available in the room includes: chairs without armrests, sofas and benches.
  • Some seating is fixed.
  • There is a fixed hearing assistance system which is not clearly signed.
  • The hearing assistance system could not be tested at the time of the survey.
  • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the function/event.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • Lighting levels are adjustable.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located to the left after the church entrance.
  • This lift is a platform lift.
  • The distance from the church entrance is 2m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and manual doors.
  • The ground and first floors are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a low visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The external lift control buttons have a low visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 80cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 109cm (width) x 149cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a medium visual contrast.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The button needs to be pressed constantly when in use.
  • Internally the lift has: an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the right as you enter the church entrance.
  • There is a single manual door to access the stairwell.
  • The ground and first floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are unmarked and have a handrail on the right going up.
  • The handrail is easy to grip.
  • The handrail covers the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrail does not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 15cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.

Room (Upper Large Balcony Room)

  • The room is located on the first floor, to the left of the lift.
  • The distance from the lift is 14m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access, a platform lift and manual doors.
  • There is written text signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There are double manual doors with a low visual contrast.
  • The doors open away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 220cm.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the room.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
  • Seating available in the room includes: chairs without armrests.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There may be background noise in this room.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Room (Upper Small Balcony Room)

  • The room is located on the first floor, to the left after exiting the lift.
  • The distance from the lift is 10m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access, a platform lift and manual doors.
  • There is written text signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is a single manual door with a high visual contrast.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 80cm.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the room.
  • Furniture can be moved to enable a manoeuvring space for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
  • Seating available in the room includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in the room includes: coffee tables.
  • The surface heights are not suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear underside space of the surfaces is not suitable for wheelchair users.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this room.
  • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (First Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the first floor at the end of the corridor next to the lift.
    • The distance from the lift is 30m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access, a platform lift and manual doors.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is no signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 87cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 148cm (width) x 222cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 79cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever flush on the right transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the left as you face the toilet.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the right as you face the toilet.
    • The vertical grab rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has varying visual contrasts.
    • The toilet seat is 47cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • There is not a toilet roll holder.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 75cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a low visual contrast.
    • There is a soap dispenser, however it is not wall mounted.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 112cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 160cm from the floor.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 97cm.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.