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Wimbledon College of Arts - Reception Building and Wimbledon Space Gallery

University of the Arts London, Merton Hall Road, London, SW19 3QA

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include main college reception, art gallery, art studios and the theatre.
  • Comments View
    • This building holds the main college reception where all visitors must report.
    • The art gallery is sometimes open to the public for exhibitions.
    • Opening hours will vary during vacations and may be extended for special events such as exhibitions.
    • Please see the college website for details.

Opening Times

Location

  • The venue is situated outside the centre of the city.
  • This venue is situated in London.
  • The venue is not situated on a road which has a steep gradient.
  • The nearest National Rail station is Wimbledon / Wimbledon Chase.
  • There is not a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • There is not a tram stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest underground station is Wimbledon.
  • Comments View
    • Note that Wimbledon station is accessible, with lifts/ slopes to platforms.
    • Wimbledon Chase station has access by steps only.

Parking (Staff and Blue Badge Parking)

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
  • The car park type is open air/surface.
  • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders can be booked in advance.
  • There is/are 2 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
  • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 365cm x 490cm (11ft 12in x 16ft 1in).
  • The nearest designated bay is 14m (15yd 11in) from the Reception Building entrance.
  • The furthest designated bay is 17m (18yd 1ft) from the Reception Building 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.
  • The patron does not have to cross a road.
  • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
  • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • The gate to the car park is normally closed and needs to be unlocked by security staff as required.
    • There are on-street pay and display parking bays in the road outside the venue.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located facing Merton Hall Road.
  • There is not level access into the venue.
  • The intercom is not in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
  • The main door(s) open automatically.
  • The doors are double width.
  • The door opening is 105cm (3ft 5in) wide.
  • Second set of doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open automatically.
    • The doors are single width.
    • The door opening is 135cm (4ft 5in) wide.

Level Change (Main Entrance)

  • There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
  • The ramp or slope is located from the pedestrian gate towards the entrance.
  • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.

Reception (Visitor Reception / Student Contact Desk)

  • The desk/counter is 12m (13yd 4in) from the main entrance.
  • There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
  • The lighting levels are medium.
  • The desk/counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
  • The desk/counter has a low (76cm or lower) section.
  • The desk/counter is staffed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Comments View
    • The Student Contact Desk is located on the right side of the reception desk, shown in photograph 3.
    • There is seating without armrests to the right of the foyer, shown in photograph 4.

Inside Access

  • There is not level access to the service.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • The lighting levels are varied.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • Comments View
    • There are studio spaces on all the ground and upper floor levels.

Theatre

  • Wheelchairs are left with the patron.
  • A companion may sit with you.
  • Companions sit alongside or behind.
  • 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.
  • Comments View
    • The theatre is mainly used for student work but may occasionally be opened to the public.
    • The ground floor of the theatre space is flexible, with no fixed seating.
    • Seating is arranged according to the performance and bookings.
    • Seating on the balcony level is fixed.
    • There is level access to the balcony by lift.
    • Some of the seats are at balcony level, others are raised up by one deep unmarked step.
    • There are not spaces for wheelchair users at balcony level.

Other Floors (Main Stairs)

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are 1 (Ground) -2 (Theatre Balcony) -3.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
    • The steps are not 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.
  • Comments View
    • In this building the ground floor is known as level 1.
    • From the staircase between floors 1 and 3 there are 3 medium marked steps from the midway landing to the theatre balcony seating area (level 2).
    • The steps have handrails to both sides.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located at the rear right of the building, from the corridor to the right of reception.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are 1-2-3-4.
  • The lift is 28m (30yd 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 110cm x 140cm (3ft 7in x 4ft 7in).
  • There are 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 have Braille markings.
  • The lift does not have tactile markings.
  • The controls for the lift are within 120cm from the floor.
  • The lighting level in the lift is medium.
  • Comments View
    • In this building ground floor is known as level 1.
    • The separate exit doors operate on level 2, to give access to the theatre balcony, and on level 4 for the lighting gallery.

Level Change (Level 3 Access from the Lift)

  • There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
  • The ramp or slope is located in the corridor from after the lift lobby towards the front of the building.
  • The ramp or slope is permanent.
  • The ramp does not have handrails.
  • The width of the ramp or slope is 125cm (4ft 1in).
  • Comments View
    • The first section of ramp goes up.
    • After the single door at the end of the corridor there is a second ramp with a moderate slope down.

Level Change (Access to Theatre Lighting Balcony)

  • There is a / are step(s) to access this area / service.
  • The step(s) is / are located from the third floor corridor, between the two ramps.
  • There is / are 4 step(s) to the area / service.
  • The lighting levels at the steps are medium.
  • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
  • The step(s) is / are deep.
  • The steps do have handrails.
  • The handrails are on both sides.
  • There is a standard and / or platform lift to access this service.
  • The lift does bypass the step(s).

Toilet with Adaptations (Foyer)

  • There are accessible toilets within this venue designated for public use.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The accessible toilet is 23m (25yd 6in) from the main entrance.
    • The accessible toilet is located to the right of the reception desk.
    • There is level access to the accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a unisex toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens inwards.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 81cm (2ft 8in).
    • The door weight is heavy.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 150cm x 320cm (4ft 11in x 10ft 6in).
    • 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 122cm (4ft).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is not a flush on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • The emergency 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 coat hook.
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted 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 are mirrors.
    • 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 47cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • 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 toilet roll holder is 110cm (3ft 7in) high.
    • There is a sink.
    • The sink can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The sink is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • 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 grab rails and wall is fair.
    • There is a fair colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are medium.

Standard Toilet(s)

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 not generally on duty.
  • This service can be requested.
  • Comments View
    • All the Wimbledon College buildings are fitted with the Deaf Message Service to give emergency evacuation text message warnings.
    • Details are available from reception.