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The Learning Centre

Somerset House, Strand, London, WC2R 0RN

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Access Guide

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Summary

Approach (Access from the Strand)

  • Approach View
    • The surface of the approach is block paving.
    • Access from the Strand is by passing through one of three archways.
      The width of the archways is in excess of 150cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope on the approach.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent, has a slight gradient and has no handrails.
    • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
    • The ramp/slope is in the middle archway.
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a/are step(s) on the approach.
    • There is/are 2 unmarked step(s), with no handrails.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 12cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The depth of the steps are 37cm.
    • Stepped access is via the two archways at either end of the entrance area.

Public Transport and Parking

  • There is a bus stop within approximately 150m of the venue.
  • The nearest train station is Charing Cross.
  • The nearest underground tube station is Temple.
  • The venue does not have its own car park.
  • Public parking is not available within approximately 200m of the venue.
  • There are no parking facilities available at the branch.

Getting Help and Assistance

  • For information from The Courtauld on accessibility please click here (new tab).
  • There is a member of staff available for help and assistance.
  • There is not a member of staff trained in British Sign Language.
  • British Sign Language interpreters cannot be provided on request.
  • The alternative formats documents can be provided in include: large print.
  • There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area at the venue/nearby.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
  • There are mobility aids available.
  • The mobility aids available include wheelchairs and tri wheel walkers.
  • To obtain mobility aids please contact the ticket office.
  • There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people who may feel scared or at risk however, please ask a member of staff who may be able to help.
  • Magnifying glasses and ear protectors can be provided upon request.
  • Exhibits can be audio described via the digital/mobile guide on Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and culture app.
  • If the lift is out of service, there is an alternative lift provision but this does not give access to floor 1 of the gallery. The gallery will publish on their website if the lift goes out of service.

Getting Here

Outside Access (Accessible Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located off the Edmond J Safra Fountain Courtyard.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'Learning Centre, Art CafĂ© Accessible Toilets'.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 128cm (4ft 2in).
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the key card reader is 105cm.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the opening is 112cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
    • 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 of the ramp.

Outside Access (Courtauld Institute Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located around the corner to the right from the accessible entrance, under the covered area and to the right of the Art Cafe main entrance.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'Office Reception Only'.
    • There is ramped/sloped 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.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 128cm (4ft 2in).
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the key card reader is 106cm.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the opening is 130cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the opening is 108cm.
    • The entrance leads to the Courtauld Institute staff reception.
      When exiting, there is a button to open the second set of doors.
      The button is at a height of 116cm from the floor.
      .
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located either side of the entrance (image 2).
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.

Entrance (via Courtauld Institute Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located to the rear of the Learning Centre on approach from the Courtauld Institute staff reception.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the key card reader is 120cm.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are single width with a locked extension leaf.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the opening is 74cm.
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located enroute from the Courtauld Institute staff reception.
    • There is/are 10 steps in total, spread over two flights of step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 18cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails are not easy to grip.
    • Handrails do extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • The lighting levels at the step(s) are good.
    • The first five steps have handrails on both sides going up.
      The next five steps have a handrail on the right only going up.
  • Comments View
    • There are shared standard toilets to the left of the entrance door into the Learning Centre.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step-free access throughout the area.
  • Circulation View
    • There are doors in corridors/walkways which have to be opened manually.
    • There are corridors/walkways with a surface width of less than 120cm (excluding any permanent obstructions over a small distance).
    • The type of flooring in corridors/walkways is vinyl.
    • There is flooring in corridors/walkways which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • There is high colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
    • There are no seats/chairs at regular intervals.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • There are coat hooks available at heights of 124cm and 162cm.
      There is a chair with no armrests opposite the coat hooks.
  • Signage View
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • The colour, design and typeface of signs is not consistent throughout the building.
    • 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.

The Learning Centre

  • The Learning Centre entrance is signed in contrasting font.
  • The corridor in front of the Learning Centre entrance has a width of less than 120cm.
  • The door to enter the room has a width of 75cm+.
  • A key card is needed to access and exit the room.
  • The card reader is at a height of 120cm from the floor.
  • There is a 150cm x 150cm turning space within the room.
  • The height of the tables in the room is 75cm.
  • There is a height adjustable table available on request.
  • There are some chairs with armrests on both sides available.
  • There is not a hearing loop in the room.
  • There is not a flashing fire alarm in the room.
  • The floor is clear and free of trip hazards.

Accessible Toilet(s) (Left Hand Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located to your right upon entering via the accessible entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 7m (7yd 1ft) from the accessible entrance.
    • There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
    • This is a gender neutral toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is low.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is push pad or push button activated.
    • The push pad or push button is 100cm from floor level.
    • The door is locked by a push button or pad.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 80cm (2ft 7in).
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is low.
    • The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 175cm x 198cm (5ft 9in x 6ft 6in).
    • The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 105cm (3ft 5in).
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a sanitary bin.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is high.
    • 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 is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is high.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are sanitary disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • There is a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The shelf does not have the minimum dimensions of 12.5cm x 40cm.
    • The shelf is at a height of 93cm.
    • The shelf is not located where it is reachable.
    • The toilet has a covered cistern.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is 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).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 94cm (3ft 1in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is high.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin and tap(s) 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).
    • There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
    • The wash basin tap type is sensor.
    • There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 110cm.
    • 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 110cm (3ft 7in).
    • The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is high.
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the hand dryer is 110cm (3ft 7in).
    • The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is high.
  • Baby Changing Facilities View
    • Baby changing facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a flip down baby change table available.
    • The height of the baby change table is 80cm.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The gender neutral toilet is located to your right upon entering via the accessible entrance.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 7m from the accessible entrance.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 86cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is sensor.
    • Lighting levels are good.