Access Guide
Introduction
- Services / facilities within the building include a community centre, children's centre, a walk-in centre, healthy living centre, a gymnasium and a cafe.
Location
- There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
- The nearest National Rail station is Blaydon.
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Comments
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- The nearest Metro Station is St James.
Opening Times
- Monday 08:00 - 19:30.
- Tuesday 08:00 - 19:30.
- Wednesday 08:00 - 20:00.
- Thursday 08:00 - 19:30.
- Friday 08:00 - 18:00.
- Saturday 09:00 - 13:00.
- Sunday Closed.
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 to the right of the centre entrance.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders cannot be booked in advance.
- There is/are 2 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
- The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 340cm x 420cm (11ft 2in x 13ft 9in).
- The nearest designated bay is 10m (10yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
- The furthest designated bay is 12m (13yd 4in) 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 tarmac.
- There is a dropped kerb between the car park and the venue.
- The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
- The patron does have to cross a road.
- The road is generally quiet.
- 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.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the venue.
- There is not level access into the venue.
- The bell is not in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
- The main door(s) open automatically (towards you).
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Second set of doors
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- The automatic doors are push pad activated.
- The doors are double width.
- The door opening is 148cm (4ft 10in) wide.
Level Change (Main Entrance)
- There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
- The ramp or slope is located in front of the entrance.
- The ramp or slope is permanent.
- The ramp does not have handrails.
Reception
- The desk is 2m (2yd 7in) from the main entrance.
- There is level access to reception from the entrance.
- The reception desk is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
- The desk 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.
- This venue does play background music/noise.
- Music/noise is played in certain areas, at various times.
- Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
- The lighting levels are bright.
Garden Area
- There is a moderate ramp with no handrails leading up to the garden area.
- There are 8 deep steps with handrails on both sides leading up to the garden area.
- The ramp bypasses the steps.
Outside Access (Liz's Cafe Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located to the left of the main entrance.
- There is level access into the venue.
- There are no doors at this entrance.
- The door opening is 218cm (7ft 2in) wide.
Inside Access (Liz's Cafe)
- There is level access to the service.
- This venue does play background music/noise.
- Music/noise is played behind the service counter.
- Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
- The lighting levels are bright.
Restaurant Bar Internal (Liz's Cafe)
- The following information is for the cafe.
- Once inside, there is level access to the service.
- Food or drinks are ordered from the counter.
- Food or drinks can be brought to the table.
- There is not a lowered section at the service counter.
- There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- No chairs have armrests.
- The nearest table is 2m (2yd 7in) from the cafe entrance.
- The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 63cm (2ft 1in).
- The distance between the floor and the highest table is 63cm (2ft 1in).
- Menus are hand held and wall.
- Menus are not available in Braille.
- Menus are not available in large print.
- Picture menus are not available.
- Menus are clearly written.
- Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
- The type of food served here is hot and cold meals and snacks.
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Comments
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- Plastic cups, cutlery and drinking straws are avaliable on request.
Other Floors
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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 bright.
Lift
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located in the foyer to the left of the reception desk.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are G-1.
- The lift is 4m (4yd 1ft) from the 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 106cm x 138cm (3ft 6in x 4ft 6in).
- 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 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.
Fitness Suite
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Access to Fitness Suite
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- The fitness suite is located on the first floor.
- The fitness suite is 1m (3ft 3in) from the first floor lift.
- There is step free access to the fitness suite.
- Level access is by lift.
- There are not doors into the fitness suite.
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Fitness Suite (General)
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- Staff receive some training in assisting disabled people.
- Training provided is by the company.
- A portable hearing loop is not available for induction.
- There is clear manoeuvring space between equipment.
- There is level access to all of the equipment.
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Comments
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- The Fitness Suite is open:
- Monday : 8am – 7.30pm
- Tuesday: 8am – 7.30pm
- Wednesday: 8am – 8pm
- Thursday: 8am – 7.30pm
- Friday: 8am – 6pm
- Saturday: 9am – 1pm.
Standard Changing Room
- There are standard changing rooms available.
- The standard changing room is 12m (13yd 4in) from the main entrance.
- The standard changing room is 10m (10yd 2ft) from the reception desk.
- The standard changing rooms are located within the male and female standard toilets area.
- There is level access to the standard changing rooms.
- Shower facilities are available within the changing room(s).
- There is not level access to the shower facilities.
- The shower cubicle(s) / area is / are accessed via a deep step.
Accessible Shower
- Accessible shower facilities are available.
- The showers are located within the accessible toilet.
- The facilities available in the accessible shower are an adjustable shower head, handrails, a shower chair and a flip down seat.
- The height of the seat is 53cm (1ft 9in).
- There is level access to the services from the shower facilities.
Toilet with Adaptations
- 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 written text, pictorial and Braille signage on or near the toilet door.
- The accessible toilet is 11m (12yd 1in) from the main entrance.
- The accessible toilet is located on the left as you enter the main corridor.
- There is level access to the accessible toilet.
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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 83cm (2ft 9in).
- The door weight is light.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 158cm x 195cm (5ft 2in x 6ft 5in).
- 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 65cm (2ft 2in).
- 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 alarm in the cubicle.
- The emergency 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 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.
- 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 49cm (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 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 towel dispenser is 115cm (3ft 9in) high.
- 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 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 fair.
- There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
- The contrast between the grab rails and wall is poor.
- There is a poor colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- The lighting levels are bright.
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 Toilet(s)
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- The female toilet facilities that were surveyed are located on the left hand side of the right hand corridor.
- The female toilet(s) is/are approximately 16m (17yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the female toilet(s).
- Lighting levels are bright.
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Access to Standard Male Toilet(s)
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- The male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located at the rear of the main corridor on the right.
- The male toilet(s) is/are approximately 12m (13yd 4in) from the main entrance.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the male toilet(s).
- Lighting levels are bright.
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Baby Change Facilities
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- Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
- Baby change facilities are located within the male and female standard toilet area.
- The height of the baby change table once extended is 89cm (2ft 11in).
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the baby change facility.
Additional Info
- Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
- Documents are not available in Braille.
- Documents are not available in large print.
- A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
- An assistance dog toilet area can be provided onsite.
- The assistance dog toilet area is located at the side and back of the building.
- A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
- This service cannot be requested.
- Home visits / services are available.