Access Guide
Introduction
- Services / facilities within the building include a drama studio.
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Comments
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- Studio K is a drama teaching space.
- Performances are occasionally open to the public.
- The space has been converted from the former Students' Union.
- All access is now via the Gateway Building main entrance.
Opening Times
- Monday 08:30 - 22:00.
- Tuesday 08:30 - 22:00.
- Wednesday 08:30 - 22:00.
- Thursday 08:30 - 22:00.
- Friday 08:30 - 22:00.
- Saturday 08:30 - 22:00.
- Sunday 09:00 - 18:00.
Location
- The venue is situated within the centre of the town.
- This venue is situated in Southend-on-Sea.
- The nearest National Rail station is Southend Central.
- There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
Parking
- The venue does not have its own car park.
- There is a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
- The name of the car park is South Essex College Car Park.
- The car park is located off Elmer Approach.
- On street marked Blue Badge bays are not available.
- Clearly signed and / or standard marked parking bays are not available.
- There is not a designated drop off point.
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Comments
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- There are other public car parks nearby and some on-street pay and display parking in nearby streets.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located at the corner of the building.
- There is not 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 104cm (3ft 5in).
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Comments
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- There is also an automatic revolving door located directly to the left of the accessible door as you face it.
- This is shown in photograph 4.
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.
Outside Access (Access to Studio K)
- This information is for the entrance located from the Gateway Building foyer, to the right of the lifts.
- There is not level access into the venue.
- The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is / are single.
- The door(s) is / are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 85cm (2ft 9in).
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Comments
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- At the end of the first corridor there is a similar door leading to the ramp.
- After the ramp there is a further similar door into Studio K.
- The second door is shown in photograph 2.
Level Change (Access to Studio K)
- There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
- The ramp or slope is located at the end of the first corridor after the foyer.
- The ramp or slope is permanent.
- The ramp does have handrails.
- The handrails are on the right going up.
- The width of the ramp or slope is 117cm (3ft 10in).
Inside Access
- There is level access to the service(s).
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- The lighting levels are adjustable.
- Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
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Comments
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- The studio is a flexible space.
- Seating can be set out as required, including leaving spaces for wheelchair users.
- There is level access in the studio via lift.
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 medium (11cm - 17cm).
- The steps do have handrails.
- The steps have a handrail on both sides.
- There is a landing.
Lift
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located to the left, beyond the stairs from the entrance.
- The lift is a platform lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are G-1.
- The lift is 5m (5yd 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 100cm x 150cm (3ft 3in x 4ft 11in).
- There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
- There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
- The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
- The lift does not have an audible announcer.
- The lift does have Braille markings.
- The lift does have tactile markings.
- The controls for the lift are within 120cm from the floor.
- The lighting level in the lift is low.
Toilet with Adaptations
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) within this venue designated for public use.
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Location and Access
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- The toilet is for the sole use of disabled people.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 16m (17yd 1ft) from the studio entrance.
- This accessible toilet is located at the rear of the venue.
- There is level access to this accessible toilet.
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Features and Dimensions
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- This is a unisex toilet.
- A key is required for the accessible toilet.
- The key is a radar key.
- The key can be obtained from the Gateway Building reception.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is locked by a locking handle.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 87cm (2ft 10in).
- The door is light.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 150cm x 219cm (4ft 11in x 7ft 2in).
- Floor manoeuvring space is clear 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 80cm (2ft 7in).
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
- The tap type is lever.
- There is not a mixer tap.
- There is an emergency pull cord alarm in the cubicle.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
- Disposal facilities are not available in the cubicle.
- There is a/are coat hook(s).
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Position of Fixtures
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- Wall-mounted grab 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 is a mirror.
- 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 a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- 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).
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
- 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 toilet seat colour contrast is good.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- The lighting levels are medium.
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Comments
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- There is a curtain which can be pulled across the room immediately inside the toilet door.
- This would allow a carer to leave the room whilst protecting the privacy of the toilet user.
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 and Male Toilet(s)
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- The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located at the rear of the venue, to the right from the studio entrance.
- The female and male toilets are approximately 14m (15yd 11in) from the studio entrance.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the female and male toilets.
- Lighting levels are bright.
Additional Info
- Documents can be requested in Braille.
- Documents can be requested in large print.
- A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not generally on duty.
- This service can be requested.
- Staff are Text Relay aware.
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Comments
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- Staff may receive disability awareness training.