Access Guide
COVID-19 Information (University of Westminster)
Introduction
- There are 2 entrances into the campus; Main and West Entrances.
- The main reception is located within the main entrance.
- Access through the campus is via a walkway called The Street, which links each main entrance.
- The Street contains several level changes which can all be accessed via ramps or steps.
Location
- The venue is situated outside the centre of the town.
- This venue is situated in Harrow.
- The nearest mainline station is Kenton.
- There is not a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
- The nearest underground station is Northwick Park.
Parking
- The venue does have its own car park.
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Venue Car Park
View
- Parking is not free for all users.
- Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
- The car park is located to the side of the venue.
- 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 3 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
- The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 260cm x 380cm (8ft 6in x 12ft 6in).
- Designated parking bays are clearly marked.
- The nearest Blue Badge bay is 20m (21yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
- The furthest Blue Badge bay is 25m (27yd 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.
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On Street Parking and Drop-off Details.
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- There is not a designated drop off point.
Outside Access (Campus Main Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
- There is not level access into the venue.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The width of the door opening is 224cm (7ft 4in).
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Second set of doors
View
- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The width of the door opening is 224cm (7ft 4in).
Level Change (Campus Main Entrance)
- There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
- The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
- The ramp/slope is easy.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- The ramp does not have handrails.
Reception (Campus Main Reception)
- The desk/counter is 8m (8yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
- There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
- The lighting levels are medium.
- The desk/counter is high (110cm+).
- The desk/counter has a low (76cm or lower) section.
- The desk/counter is staffed.
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The type of system is a fixed loop.
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Comments
View
- There are security barriers, 53cm and 103cm wide, just past reception, leading into the main areas and The Street.
Outside Access (West Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located on the far side of The Street, leading off Watford Road.
- There is not level access into the venue.
- The bell is in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The width of the door opening is 128cm (4ft 2in).
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Comments
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- The push pad to operate the automatic doors when entering is placed at 98cm high.
- The push pad to operate the automatic doors when exiting is placed at 90cm high.
- There are 2 sets of identical automatic doors with a revolving door in the middle.
- The doors to the left are shown in photographs 3 and 4.
- The doors to the right are shown in photographs 5 and 6.
- This entrance opens into the Maria Hewlett Building.
Level Change (West Entrance)
- There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
- The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance, leading up from Watford Road.
- The ramp/slope is slight.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- The ramp does have handrails.
- The handrails are on both sides.
Reception (West Entrance)
- The desk/counter is 3m (3yd 10in) from the West 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 does not have a low (76cm or lower) section.
- The desk/counter is staffed.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
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Comments
View
- There are turnstiles, 53cm wide, and a gate, 99cm wide, just past reception, leading into the main areas and The Street.
Inside Access
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- This venue does not play background music.
- The lighting levels are medium.
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Comments
View
- There are several level changes along The Street.
- There is an automatic door leading from the rear of the main entrance foyer to The Street (as shown in photographs 5 and 6).
- The automatic doors are the set of doors on the left. The doors are double, 162cm wide and open away from you.
- At the time of survey (18/09/19) there were similar automatic doors being fitted at the far end of The Street.
- There were also further automatic doors due to be fitted leading off The Street.
Eating and Drinking (Gateway Cafe)
- The following information is for the cafe.
- Full table service is not available.
- Food or drinks are ordered from the service counter.
- Food or drinks cannot be brought to the table.
- There is a lowered section at the counter.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- Some chairs are permanently fixed.
- Some chairs have armrests.
- The nearest table is approximately 20m (21yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
- The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 59cm (1ft 11in).
- The distance between the floor and the highest table is 69cm (2ft 3in).
- The standard height for tables is 69cm.
- 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 sandwiches, hot and cold snacks.
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Comments
View
- The cafe is located just inside the main entrance, just before the start of The Street.
Level Change (Rear of the Main Entrance Foyer)
- There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
- The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
- The ramp/slope is located next to the Library entrance.
- The ramp/slope is slight.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- The ramp does have handrails.
- The handrails are on both sides.
- There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
- The step(s) is/are located next to the Library entrance.
- There is/are 2 step(s) to the area/service.
- The lighting levels at the step(s) are medium.
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
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Comments
View
- The ramp and steps lead into The Street from the main entrance foyer.
Level Change (Ground - Upper Ground Level)
- There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
- The ramp/slope is located between the ground and upper ground floors.
- The ramp/slope is moderate.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- The width of the ramp/slope is 108cm (3ft 7in).
- There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
- The step(s) is/are located between the ground and upper ground floors.
- There is/are 7 step(s) to the area/service.
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
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Comments
View
- The ramp is used to bypass the steps.
- These are located midway through The Street.
Level Change (To Maria Hewlett Building)
- There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
- The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
- The ramp/slope is located at the far end of The Street from main entrance.
- The ramp/slope is moderate.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- The ramp does have handrails.
- The handrails are on both sides.
- The width of the ramp/slope is 110cm (3ft 7in).
- There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
- The step(s) is/are located off The Street.
- There is/are 14 step(s) to the area/service.
- There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the steps.
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
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Comments
View
- The ramp is used to bypass the steps.
Level Change (Access to the Cashpoints)
- There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
- The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
- The ramp/slope is located off the upper ground level of The Street.
- The ramp/slope is easy.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- The ramp does have handrails.
- The handrails are on both sides.
- The width of the ramp/slope is 140cm (4ft 7in).
- There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
- The step(s) is/are located off the upper ground level of The Street.
- There is/are 6 step(s) to the area/service.
- The lighting levels at the step(s) are medium.
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
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Comments
View
- The ramp has handrails both sides and overcomes the steps mentioned.
- The cashpoints are located just off The Street, just before the ramp and steps to the Maria Hewlett Building.
Accessible Toilet(s) (Main Entrance Foyer)
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Location and Access
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- This accessible toilet is located to the right of the main entrance foyer on entering the building.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 14m (15yd 11in) from the main entrance.
- There is step-free access to the accessible toilet.
- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- There is tactile and pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is light.
- The door is locked by a lever twist.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 91cm (2ft 12in).
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
- The door has a horizontal grab rail.
- The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is good.
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Toilet Features
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- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 180cm x 162cm (5ft 11in x 5ft 4in).
- 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 right.
- The lateral transfer space is 104cm (3ft 5in).
- The transfer space is obstructed by a female sanitary bin.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- There is not a spatula type lever flush.
- There is a lever flush.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is good.
- 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) to the left of the toilet and wall is poor.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) to the right of the toilet and wall is good.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- 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 female sanitary and general waste (with no lid) disposal units.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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Additional Fixtures
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- There is a mirror.
- The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- The toilet has a wall which acts as a backrest.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 44cm (1ft 5in).
- The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
- 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 contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is fair.
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin and tap(s) can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
- There are no vertical wall-mounted grab rails at the wash basin.
- The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
- There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 102cm.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the towel dispenser is 124cm (4ft 1in).
- The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is fair.
- There is not a hand dryer.
Accessible Toilet (Upper Ground Floor)
- Accessible toilet facilities are available.
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Location and Access
View
- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 65m (71yd 3in) from the main entrance.
- This accessible toilet is located off the upper ground floor area.
- There is not level access to this accessible toilet.
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Features and Dimensions
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- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is required for the accessible toilet.
- The key is a radar key.
- The key can be obtained from the reception counter.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 87cm (2ft 10in).
- The door is light.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 146cm x 200cm (4ft 9in x 6ft 7in).
- 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 77cm (2ft 6in).
- 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 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 not a/are not coat hook(s).
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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 not a mirror.
- 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 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).
- 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 placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
- The height of the wash basin is 78cm (2ft 7in).
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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 poor.
- The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is poor.
- The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- The lighting levels are medium.
Standard Toilet(s)
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Toilet Facilities
View
- The female and male toilets are located to the right of the main entrance foyer.
- There is step-free access to the toilet(s).
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 22m from the main entrance.
- The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is good.
- There is tactile and pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- It was not possible to access the female toilet.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
- The height of the wash basin(s) is 84cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is push.
- Lighting levels are good.
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Toilet Facilities 2
View
- The female and male toilets are located off The Street on the upper ground floor.
- There is ramped/sloped access to the toilet(s).
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 35m from the main entrance.
- The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is good.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- It was not possible to access the female toilet.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
- The height of the wash basin(s) is 82cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is sensor.
- Lighting levels are good.
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Comments
View
- The standard male toilets off the main entrance foyer are shown in photographs 1 and 2.
- The standard male toilets on the upper ground floor are shown in photographs 3 and 4.
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.
- Staff are Text Relay aware.