Access Guide
Introduction
- Services / facilities within the building include Lecture Theatre, cafe, film screening room, dance and drama studios, classrooms, music practise spaces, recording studios, photography studio and a dark room.
Opening Times
- Monday 08:30 - 20:00.
- Tuesday 08:30 - 20:00.
- Wednesday 08:30 - 20:00.
- Thursday 08:30 - 17:30.
- Friday 08:30 - 17:30.
- Saturday Closed.
- Sunday Closed.
Location
- The venue is situated outside the centre of the city.
- This venue is situated in Sunderland.
- The nearest National Rail station is Sunderland.
- The nearest underground station is University.
Parking
- The venue does have its own car park.
-
Venue Car Park
View
- Parking is free for all users.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
- There is/are 4 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
- The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 367cm x 590cm (12ft x 19ft 4in).
- The nearest Blue Badge bay is 277m (302yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
- The furthest Blue Badge bay is 292m (319yd 1ft) 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.
- There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
- The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
-
On Street Parking and Drop-off Details.
View
- There is not a designated drop off point.
-
Comments
View
- There are standard unmarked parking spaces available closer to the building on a first come first serve basis, as shown in the second photograph.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
- There is level access into the venue.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is / are single.
- The width of the door opening is 110cm (3ft 7in).
-
Second set of doors
View
- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is / are single.
- The width of the door opening is 110cm (3ft 7in).
Reception (Box Office)
- The desk is 2m (2yd 7in) from the main entrance.
- There is level access to reception from the entrance.
- The lighting levels are bright.
- The reception desk is medium height.
- The desk does not have a lowered section.
- The desk is not generally staffed.
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The type of system is a fixed loop.
- The hearing system is not available only on request.
- Staff are trained to use the system.
Inside Access
- There is level access to the service.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- This venue does not play background music.
- The lighting levels are varied.
Eating and Drinking (Cafe)
- The following information is for the café.
- Full table service is not available.
- Food or drinks are ordered from the service counter.
- Food or drinks can be brought to the table.
- There is not a lowered section at the counter.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- No chairs have armrests.
- The nearest table is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
- The standard height for tables is 70cm.
- There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- Plastic / takeaway cups are available.
- Plastic / takeaway cutlery is available.
- Drinking straws are available.
- Menus are wall only.
- 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 snacks.
-
Comments
View
- The cafe is located on the ground floor, straight ahead as you enter.
Theatre
- There are not designated spaces for wheelchair users.
- Wheelchairs are left with you.
- A companion may not sit with you.
- This venue does not provide audio described performances.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- There is not a wheelchair to borrow.
- Concessions are not available.
- Assistance dogs are allowed in the auditorium.
Other Floors
-
Steps
View
- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1 and 2.
- The stairs are located ahead on entering via the main entrance.
- The stairs are approximately 15m from the main entrance.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- The lighting levels are bright.
- 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.
- There are similar stairs at the rear of the building.
Lift
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located to the right as you enter.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1, 2 and 3.
- Wall mounted information boards are provided at lift landings.
- The weight limit for the lift is 1000kg.
- The lift is approximately 7m (7yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The clear door width is 120cm (3ft 11in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 235cm x 160cm (7ft 9in x 5ft 3in).
- 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 lift does not have a hearing enhancement system.
- The lift does not have Braille markings.
- The lift does have tactile markings.
- The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
- The lighting level in the lift is medium.
Accessible Shower
- Accessible shower facilities are available.
- The accessible shower(s) surveyed is/are located within the accessible toilet.
- The facilities available in the accessible shower(s) include; an adjustable shower head, handrails, a shower chair and a flip-down seat.
- The height of the seat is 54cm (1ft 9in).
- There is level access to the services from the accessible shower facilities.
-
Comments
View
- There are two functional emergency alarms available, one located next to the shower and one next to the accessible toilet.
Standard Changing Room
- There is a/are standard changing room(s) available.
- The standard changing room(s) surveyed is/are located within the standard toilet on the second floor.
- The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 26m (28yd 1ft) from the lift.
- There is level access to the standard changing room(s).
-
Comments
View
- There is a small standard changing room section located on the second floor within the standard male toilets.
Standard Shower
- There are standard level access shower facilities available.
- The showers are located on the second floor, towards the rear of the building.
-
Comments
View
- There is a deep step to access the standard shower.
Accessible Toilet
- Accessible toilet facilities are available.
-
Location and Access
View
- There is tactile and pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 28m (30yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- This accessible toilet is located on the ground floor, to the right as you enter.
- 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.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 88cm (2ft 11in).
- The door is heavy.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 228cm x 247cm (7ft 6in x 8ft 1in).
- There is 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 left.
- The lateral transfer space is 172cm (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 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 clinical 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 not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- 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 48cm (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 102cm (3ft 4in).
- 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 placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 102cm (3ft 4in).
- 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).
- There is a soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 85cm.
-
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 good.
- The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is good.
- The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- The lighting levels are medium.
-
Comments
View
- There are accessible toilets located on all floors.
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 first floor, off the main corridor.
- The female toilet(s) is/are approximately 22m (24yd 2in) from the lift.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the female toilet(s).
-
Access to Standard Male Toilet(s)
View
- The male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located on the first floor, off the main corridor.
- The male toilet(s) is/are approximately 12m (13yd 4in) from the lift.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the male toilet(s).
- Lighting levels are medium.
-
Comments
View
- The standard male and female toilets located on the ground floor are for staff only.
- Standard male and female toilets are located off the main corridor on the first and second floor.
Additional Info
- Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
- Documents can be requested in Braille.
- Documents can be requested in large print.
- A member of staff trained in BSL skills is generally on duty.
- Staff are trained to BSL level 3.
- Staff are Text Relay aware.
-
Comments
View
- Please see below for some useful contact information:
- Mindful Employer
- 01392 208833
- http://www.mindfulemployer.net/
- Action For Blind People
- 0800 915 4666
- http://www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk
- RNIB
- 0845 766 9999
- http://www.rnib.org.uk
- MIND
- 0845 766 0163
- http://www.mind.org.uk/
- SKILL : National Bureau for Students with Disabilities
- 0800 328 5050
- http://www.skill.org.uk/.