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Sunderland Software Centre

Tavistock Place, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, SR1 1PB

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include serviced offices, meeting rooms and conference rooms.

Location

  • There is not a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest National Rail station is Sunderland.
  • The nearest Metro Station is Sunderland.
  • There is not a tram stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.

Opening Times

  • Reception is staffed 24 hours per day and The building is open 24 hours via swipe card.

Parking

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Venue Car Park View
    • Parking is not free for all users.
    • The car park is located at the rear of the building.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders cannot be booked in advance.
    • There is/are 2 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 359cm x 601cm (11ft 9in x 19ft 9in).
    • The nearest Blue Badge bay is 9m (9yd 2ft) from the car park entrance.
    • The furthest Blue Badge bay is 21m (22yd 2ft) from the car park 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.
    • There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • Access to the car park is by intercom.
    • The intercom can be reached from inside a vehicle.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 124cm (4ft 1in).
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 135cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 148cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
  • Comments View
    • There is a swipe card reader on the doorframe to the left of the first set of doors and the swipe card reader is 122cm high.
    • The entrance doors are locked and to gain admittance to the building, please use the intercom located on the wall to the left of the entrance.

Outside Access (Car Park Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the left side of the building, leading from the Car Park.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 121cm (3ft 12in).
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 113cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located on the pathway from the Car Park, leading to the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
  • Comments View
    • There is a card swipe reader just below the intercom and the card swipe reader is 105cm high.
    • These doors are locked therefore please use the intercom on the wall to the left of the door to gain admittance.
    • There is a door release button to exit at a height of 103cm.
    • The door release button is located on the wall to the left of the door as you exit.

Reception

  • The desk/counter is 6m (6yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
  • The desk/counter is high (110cm+).
  • The desk/counter has a low (76cm or lower) section.
  • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The type of system is a fixed loop.
  • Staff are trained to use the system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested on 23/05/2022.
  • The hearing assistance system was working at the time of testing.
  • Comments View
    • There is a seating area opposite the reception.
    • Some of the seats have armrests.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service(s).
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Comments View
    • There are fixed hearing loops are in the innovation rooms and pods.

Kitchen

  • There is a kitchen area on the ground floor, to the front left as you enter via the main entrance.
  • The height of the worktops is 91cm.
  • The height of the sink is 91cm.
  • The taps are lever twist / turn mixer.
  • The height of the fridge handle is 80cm.
  • The height to the top control of the microwave is 116cm.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1, 2.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the centre of the building.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1, 2.
  • Wall mounted information boards are provided at lift landings.
  • The lift is approximately 20m (21yd 2ft) 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 110cm x 139cm (3ft 7in x 4ft 7in).
  • 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 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lift does have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is moderate to good.
  • Comments View
    • There are 2 identical lifts in this location.
    • The lift surveyed was on the left.
    • Both lift buttons will call the nearest lift.

Toilet with Adaptations

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 25m (27yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located on the ground floor, at the end of the first corridor on the left, just past the Reception desk.
    • 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 the main reception desk.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a lever twist.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 87cm (2ft 10in).
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 239cm x 183cm (7ft 10in x 6ft).
    • 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 right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 173cm (5ft 8in).
    • 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.
    • 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 cubicle.
    • There is a/are sanitary and non-infectious waste 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 both sides.
    • There is a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The shelf has the minimum dimensions of 12.5cm x 40cm.
    • The shelf is at a height of 97cm.
    • The shelf is located where it is reachable.
    • There is a mirror.
    • Mirrors are not 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 placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the hand dryer is 106cm (3ft 6in).
    • 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 external door and wall is good.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
    • Baby change facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 100cm (3ft 3in).
  • Comments View
    • There are similar accessible toilets, without baby change facilities, in the same location on all floors.

Standard Shower

  • Shower facilities are available.
  • The shower(s) surveyed is/are located on the ground floor, within the standard female and male toilet cubicles.
  • There is level access to the shower facilities.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Availability and Location of Standard Toilets View
    • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Female Toilet(s) View
    • The female toilet facilities that were surveyed are located on the ground floor, to the centre of the building.
    • The female toilet(s) is/are approximately 25m (27yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the female toilet(s).
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle with wall mounted grab rails is available.
    • Lighting levels in the female toilets are moderate to good.
  • Access to Standard Male Toilet(s) View
    • The male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located on the ground floor, to the centre of the building.
    • The male toilet(s) is/are approximately 26m (28yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the male toilet(s).
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle with wall mounted grab rails is available.
    • Lighting levels in the male toilets are moderate to good.

Additional Info

  • Documents are not available in Braille.
  • Documents can be requested 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 on the grass areas at the rear of the building.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
  • This service cannot be requested.