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St Helen's House

571 Foxhall Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP3 8LX

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Access Guide

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Getting Here

Parking

  • Parking View
    • The venue does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car park is located in front of the building.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park does not have a barrier control system.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • There is/are 2 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 385cm x 580cm (12ft 8in x 19ft).
    • There is a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
  • Paying View
    • There are not parking charges for the car park.
  • Access from the Car Park View
    • 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 entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
    • The surface on the approach to the entrance is tarmac.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 110m (120yd 11in) from the main entrance.

Bus Stop(s) and Drop-off Point(s)

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 90cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • Ramp/Slope Details View
    • The ramp/slope is located to the right as you face the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
    • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides going up.
    • The width of the ramp or slope is 136cm (4ft 6in).
  • Step Details View
    • The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is/are 2 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the step(s).
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The going of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides going up.
  • Comments View
    • Access is gained via intercom which is 127cm high.
    • There is a push pad to exit at a height of 95cm.

Reception

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located to the right as you enter the venue.
    • The reception point is approximately 3m (3yd 10in) from the main entrance.
    • The reception area/desk is clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There is step free access to the reception point.
    • There is a clear unobstructed route to the reception point.
    • There are windows, glazed screens or mirrors behind the reception point which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • The reception counter is not placed in front of a background which is patterned.
    • The lighting levels at the reception point are good.
    • The height of the reception counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
    • There is a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the low section of the counter.
    • The counter is staffed.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • Signs and universally accepted symbols or pictograms, indicating lifts, stairs, WCs, circulation routes and other parts of the building are not provided in the reception area.
  • Reception Waiting Area View
    • There is a waiting area close to the reception point.
    • Access to the waiting area is obstructed.
    • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
    • There is not sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area.
    • There is a mixture of seating with and without armrests.
    • No tables are permanently fixed.
    • The waiting room / area does not have background music playing.
    • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the waiting room / area.
    • There is not a television.
    • Vending machines are not available.
    • A water dispenser is available.
    • There is a play area or toys/books for a child to play with.
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest within the seating area.
    • The lighting levels are good.
  • Comments View
    • There is a 98cm wide gate to enter the waiting area.

Getting Around The Building

  • Access View
    • There is not step free access throughout the building.
  • Circulation View
    • There are doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
    • The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is carpet and vinyl.
    • There is some flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • Handrails with a rounded or oval profile are not provided in corridors.
    • There is good visual contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • Lighting levels of at least 100 lux at floor level, were recorded in most corridors surveyed.
  • Signage View
    • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
    • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • Safe Place(s) View
    • There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
  • Audio View
    • This venue does not play background music in public areas.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system in the public areas of the building.

Other Floors

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There are manual, heavy, single doors to enter and exit the stairwell on all floors.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G,1.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The going of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on the left going up.
    • Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • There is a landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor of the building are not provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels are good.

Toilet with Adaptations (Right Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) within this venue designated for public use.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located straight ahead as you enter and to the left.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The door opens by sliding.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The door is heavy.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 85cm (2ft 9in).
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 395cm x 295cm (12ft 12in x 9ft 8in).
    • The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The toilet has a non-slip floor.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 80cm (2ft 7in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord 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 toilet.
    • There is a/are clinical waste and general domestic waste disposal units.
    • There is a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
    • There are no vertical wall-mounted grab rails at the wash basin.
    • There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
    • There is a standard shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The shelf is not between 90cm and 100cm.
    • There is not a colostomy changing shelf for standing users next to the toilet.
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The toilet has a cistern.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • 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).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 107cm.
    • 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 height of the towel dispenser is 122cm (4ft).
    • There is not a hand dryer.
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The visual contrast between the external door and wall is poor.
    • The visual contrast between the internal door and wall is poor.
    • The visual contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The visual contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The toilet seat visual contrast is good.
    • The visual contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • Lighting levels are at least 100 lux at floor level.
  • Comments View
    • The changing bench is 72cm high.
    • There is a baby changing cover available.
    • An electric hoist is available in the facility.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Shared Toilet(s) View
    • The shared toilets that were surveyed are located in the staircase lobby, straight ahead as you enter.
    • The shared toilet(s) is/are approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the shared toilet(s).
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet with wall mounted grab rails is not available.
    • The tap type is twist/turn.
    • There is a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilets.
    • Lighting levels are good.
    • Lighting levels are at least 100 lux at floor level.