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Conference Facilities

Newbattle Abbey College, Newbattle Road, Dalkeith, EH22 3LL

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is sloped.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.
  • The most accessible entrance surveyed was the Courtyard Entrance.
  • This entrance gives access to the ground floor crypt area.
  • There is step-free access via a slight slope at the most accessible entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the main entrance.
  • There is 1 other entrance.
  • There is step-free access via ramp at the other entrance.
  • The main entrance provides level access into the reception area, but there is stepped access only into the main building from reception. For assistance there is a bell push on the right side of the main entrance to help get access to the Courtyard entrance.
  • The Courtyard entrance is key fob entry only.
  • The rear entrance is a staff entrance.

Getting Around - Ground Floor

  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of walkways, this may include the use of a lift.
    • The following areas have stepped access: the chapel.
    • Additional areas also accessed by steps include: the male standard toilet facilities.
    • The following areas have step-free access via ramps: the upper ground floor, dining room, The Bunker and Armoury at the rear.
    • Additional areas also accessed by ramps include: the Arbroath Room and female standard toilet facilities.
  • Circulation View
    • There are manual doors along circulation routes.
    • Access throughout may include narrow walkways.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor varies between low and high along circulation routes.
    • Some flooring is shiny.
    • There is background noise which varies depending on the time of day.
    • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
    • Seating available in the walkways includes: chairs without armrests.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.

Getting Around - First Floor

  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access throughout walkways.
  • Circulation View
    • There are manual doors along circulation routes.
    • Access throughout may include narrow walkways.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor varies between low and high along circulation routes.
    • Some flooring is shiny.
    • There is background noise which varies depending on the time of day.
    • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
    • Seating available in the walkways includes: chairs without armrests.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
    • The toilets with adaptations are located on the ground floor, with an additional facility on the second floor.
    • All toilets with adaptations have a right hand transfer space.
    • Female step-free standard toilet facilities are located on the ground floor.
    • Male standard toilet facilities with stepped access are located on the ground floor.
  • Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located in the ground floor female toilet facilities.

Main Entrance - Reception

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There is a bell at a height of 120cm.
  • There are double manual doors.
  • The doors are permanently held open.
  • One of the doors was locked at the time of the survey.
  • The locked door can be opened on request.
  • The width of the opening is 71cm.
  • The doors have a high colour contrast.
  • There is a second set of double manual doors.
  • The doors open away from you.
  • The doors require effort to open.
  • One of the doors was locked at the time of the survey.
  • The locked door can be opened on request.
  • The width of the opening is 68cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low colour contrast.
  • This entrance gives step-free level access to the reception area on the front mezzanine level only. Access via this entrance to the main building is stepped only.

Reception

  • Location View
    • The reception is located at the front of the building on the ground floor mezzanine level.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 2m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the reception has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access to the reception.
    • The height of the reception desk is 98cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
    • The reception has windows which may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
    • Some flooring is shiny.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
    • Seating available in this area includes: armchairs.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: coffee tables.
    • Access to the main building from the rear of the reception is stepped only.

Courtyard Gate

  • Access Point View
    • This access point is located on the left of the main building.
    • The access point is clearly signed.
    • There is step-free access via ramp.
    • The ramp has a slight gradient.
    • The ramp is over 150cm wide.
    • There are handrails on both sides.
    • There is a single gate at this access point.
    • The gate opens away from you.
    • The gate requires effort to open.
    • The width of the opening is 100cm.
    • The gate has a high colour contrast.
    • There is step-free access via a slope as you enter.
    • The slope has a slight gradient.
    • There is uneven paving in the Courtyard.

Courtyard Entrance

  • This entrance is located on the left side of the main building.
  • 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 a slope at the entrance.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 91cm.
  • There are double automatic doors.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • One of the doors was locked at the time of the survey.
  • The locked door can be opened on request.
  • The width of the opening is 93cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a high colour contrast.
  • There is step-free access via ramp as you enter.
  • The ramp has a slight gradient.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide.
  • There are no handrails for the ramp.
  • There is a key fob reader to exit, at a height of 107cm.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located is at the rear of the building, off the corridor from the Crypt to the dining room.
  • The distance from the Courtyard Entrance is 25m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • Doors are held open along the most accessible route.
  • This lift is an enclosed platform lift.
  • Enclosed Platform Lift View
    • The ground, upper ground, first and second floors can be accessed by this lift.
    • The lift door has a low colour contrast.
    • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
    • The weight limit for the lift is 400kg.
    • The control buttons have a high colour contrast.
    • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The lift door opening width is 89cm.
    • The internal dimensions of the lift are 150cm (width) x 110cm (depth).
    • The internal lift control buttons have tactile and Braille markings.
    • The control buttons have a high colour 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: a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
    • The lift has a separate door to exit.
    • Lighting levels vary due to there being different types of lights in the space.

Grand Stairs

  • The stairs are located at the front of the building.
  • The ground, mezzanine and first floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are not easy to grip.
  • The handrails do not cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The steps are unmarked.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm-45cm.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • There is an extension to the staircase from the first to the second floors to the left through a single door. This staircase has a handrail on the right only.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the ground floor to the left when entering via the Courtyard Entrance.
    • The distance from the Courtyard Entrance is 25m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • Doors are held open along the most accessible route.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a low colour contrast.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The width of the opening is 86cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a low colour contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door, with a low colour contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 193cm (width) x 202cm (depth).
    • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 87cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a push button flush for the toilet.
    • The flush is on top of the cistern.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a low colour contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a low colour contrast.
    • There is a dropdown grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown grab rail has a low colour contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 49cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a low colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 94cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The wash basin and tap cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 74cm from the floor.
    • There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a low colour contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low colour contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 101cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low colour contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 102cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Toilet with Adaptations (Second Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the second floor off the rear corridor.
    • The distance from the lift is 25m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There are manual doors along the most accessible route.
    • This route has narrow walkways.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high colour contrast.
    • The door requires effort to open.
    • The width of the opening is 86cm.
    • There is a second door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a low colour contrast.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The width of the opening is 86cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a low colour contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door, with a low colour contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 209cm (width) x 261cm (depth).
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 141cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush for the toilet.
    • The flush is on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a low colour contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a low colour contrast.
    • There is a dropdown grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown grab rail has a low colour contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 49cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 87cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The wash basin and tap can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 74cm from the floor.
    • There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a varying colour contrast.
    • There is a soap dispenser, however it is not wall mounted.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low colour contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 101cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.