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Nido Volans Centre Bexley

LSEC Bexley Campus, 2 Walnut Tree Road, Erith, Kent, DA8 1RA

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Comments View
    • The Nido Volans Centre Bexley, like the similar centre at the LSEC Bromley Campus, is a teaching facility for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
    • The centre aims to teach independent living skills as wells as basic academic skills and skills relevant to work.

Location

  • The venue is situated within the centre of the town.
  • This venue is situated in Erith.
  • The venue is situated on a road which has a steep gradient.
  • The nearest National Rail station is Erith.
  • There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.

Parking (Staff and Blue Badge Car Park)

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
  • The car park type is open air/surface.
  • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do need to be booked in advance.
  • There is/are 5 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
  • The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 450cm x 500cm (14ft 9in x 16ft 5in).
  • Venue Car Park View
    • Designated parking bays are clearly marked.
    • The nearest Blue Badge bay is 18m (19yd 2ft) from the rear entrance, via the ramp.
    • The furthest Blue Badge bay is 30m (32yd 2ft) from the rear entrance, via the ramp.
    • 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 tarmac.
    • There is a dropped kerb between the car park and the venue.
    • The dropped kerb does have tactile paving.
    • There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • Visitors who require Blue Badge parking are advised to contact the centre in advance.
    • Entrance to the car park is via an intercom at the security barrier.
    • Disabled students who require regular access to the car park are able to register their vehicles with the college.
    • There are standard on-street pay and display parking bays on both sides of Walnut Tree Road outside the venue.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
  • There is not level access into the venue.
  • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
  • The door(s) is / are double.
  • The width of the door opening is 175cm (5ft 9in).
  • Second set of doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 175cm (5ft 9in).

Level Change (Main Entrance)

  • There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
  • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • The ramp does not have handrails.
  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located from Walnut Tree Road down to the forecourt.
  • There is/are 10 step(s) to the area/service.
  • There is tactile paving at the top and bottom of the steps.
  • 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 both sides.
  • Comments View
    • After the first steps / ramp there is a further easy slope or 3 medium marked steps down towards the building, as shown in the photographs.
    • These steps/ ramps are bypassed if approaching the building from the direction of Erith Station.
    • From Stonewood Road there is an easy slope up towards the building entrance, also shown in the photographs.

Outside Access (Rear Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the building off Stonewood Road.
  • There is not level access into the venue.
  • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
  • The door(s) is / are double.
  • The width of the door opening is 170cm (5ft 7in).
  • Second set of doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 170cm (5ft 7in).

Level Change (Rear Entrance)

  • There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
  • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
  • The ramp/slope is located to the right of the entrance.
  • 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 the left going up.
  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
  • There is/are 3 step(s) to the area/service.
  • There is tactile paving at the top and bottom of the steps.
  • 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 both sides.

Entrance (Nido Volans Centre Bexley Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located to the right from the main entrance.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 175cm (5ft 9in).

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service(s).
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • The lighting levels are good.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • Customers can charge scooters or wheelchairs at the venue.
  • Comments View
    • Signage within the Nido Volans Centre includes Braille and tactile writing and pictures.

Teaching/Seminar Room(s) (Teaching Kitchen and Laundry)

  • Directional and locational signage for the room(s) is available in upper and lower case lettering that is clearly visible.
  • The corridor outside the room(s) is sufficiently wide enough (150cm+) to allow wheelchair users to pass.
  • There is step free access into the room(s).
  • The door opening width(s) is/are 75cm+ for the room(s).
  • There is not a hearing assistance system for the room(s).
  • There is not a visual fire alarm beacon in the room(s).
  • There is fixed furniture within the room(s).
  • There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre within the room(s).
  • The clear floor space beneath tables in the room(s) ranges between 70cm and 90cm.
  • A height adjustable table/bench is available.
  • Floor coverings in the room(s) are even with no trip hazards.
  • Comments View
    • The kitchen and separate laundry are used to teach independent living skills.
    • In the kitchen there are some adjustable height workstations with sinks and hobs which can be lowered as required.

Performance Space

  • The flexible performance space has pull-out tiered seating.
  • There would be space for wheelchair users in front of the tiered seating.
  • The performance area has rubber matting.

Teaching Spaces

  • The photographs show one of the classrooms and the manufacturing workshop.
  • Large button keyboards are available at the computer workstations in the classrooms.
  • The manufacturing workshop is used for woodwork and other crafts.
  • One of the teaching rooms has a hair washing basin which could be used by a wheelchair.
  • This area is used for teaching personal care skills.

Changing Places (Nido Volans Centre)

  • Location and access View
    • The facility is located at the far end of the ground floor corridor in the Nido Volans Centre.
    • The facility is approximately 30m (32yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • There is level access into the facility.
  • Dimensions and features View
    • You do need a key for the facility.
    • It is not a radar key.
    • The key can be obtained from a member of staff.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The dimensions of the facility are 253cm x 290cm (8ft 4in x 9ft 6in).
    • 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 left as you face the toilet is 186cm (6ft 1in).
    • Wall mounted grab rails are not available for the toilet.
    • Dropdown rails are provided for the toilet.
    • As you face the toilet the dropdown rail(s) is/are on the left.
    • The type of wash basin is fixed.
    • Wall mounted grab rails are not available at the wash basin.
    • Disposal facilities are available.
    • There is a/are sanitary and nappy/incontinence items bin disposal units.
    • There is not a shelf next to the toilet.
    • There is not a coat hook.
    • A privacy screen is not 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).
  • Accessible Shower View
    • Accessible shower facilities are available.
    • The facilities available in the accessible shower are an adjustable shower head and handrails.

Accessible Toilet

  • 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 reception.
    • This accessible toilet is located beyond the security barriers, to the left of the reception desk.
    • There are two further larger accessible toilets on each floor, 6m from either lift. There are additional accessible toilets at the end of the long corridor on the first and second floors.
    • 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 not a radar key.
    • The key can be obtained from a member of staff.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 90cm (2ft 11in).
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 145cm x 225cm (4ft 9in x 7ft 5in).
    • There is not a clear 150cm x 150cm manoeuvring space 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 79cm (2ft 7in).
    • 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 pull cord alarm in the cubicle.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are female sanitary and waste paper pedal bin disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not 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 a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The shelf is not higher than 95cm (3ft 1in).
    • There is a mirror.
    • 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 50cm (1ft 8in).
    • 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 internal door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is poor.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are good.
  • Comments View
    • All the accessible toilets require a staff/ student electronic fob to operate.
    • On the upper floors the walls of some of the toilets are different colours, giving good contrast with the grab rails.
    • Some of the toilets have the transfer space to the left.
    • The toilet on the first floor east side also has an accessible shower facility and ceiling track hoist in the same room.

Standard Toilet(s)

Additional Info

  • Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
  • Staff do receive deaf awareness training.
  • Documents can be requested in Braille.
  • Documents can be requested in large print.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
  • This service can be requested.
  • Staff are Text Relay aware.