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Hitchin British Schools Museum - Ground Floor Building

41-42 Queen Street, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG4 9TS

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Access Guide

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Introduction

Opening Times

  • Please contact the venue for details of opening times.
  • Comments View
    • Opening hours vary depending on the school holidays and time of the year.

Location

  • There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest National Rail station is Hitchin.

Parking

  • The venue does not have its own car park.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located at the side of the building.
  • There is not level access into the venue.
  • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
  • The door(s) is / are double.
  • The door(s) is / are heavy.
  • The width of the door opening is 120cm (3ft 11in).

Level Change (Main Entrance)

  • There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
  • The ramp or slope is located on the path leading to the entrance.
  • The ramp does not have handrails.

Reception

  • The desk/counter is 10m (10yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
  • There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
  • The desk/counter is low (76cm or lower).
  • The lighting levels are bright.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The type of system is a fixed loop.
  • Staff are trained to use the system.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service(s).
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • The lighting levels are varied.

Eating and Drinking (Cafe)

  • The following information is for the cafe.
  • The cafe is located just after the reception foyer.
  • 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 22m (24yd 2in) from the main entrance.
  • The standard height for tables is 74cm.
  • 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 meals and snacks.

Museum Exhibits

  • The museum exhibits are just beyond the cafe area and consists of a walkway with several display cases along the route.
  • There is ample space to move around the exhibit.

Discovery Room

  • The Discovery room is at the rear of the museum area. Access into the Discovery room is via a single width door that opens away from you (push) and is 82cm in width.
  • There is ample room to move around the room with exhibits in the centre and the edges.

Accessible Toilet

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • 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.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located in the courtyard opposite the main entrance.
    • There is not level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a unisex toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 88cm (2ft 11in).
    • The door is heavy.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 300cm x 125cm (9ft 10in x 4ft 1in).
    • There is not sufficient turning space in the cubicle for a wheelchair user.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 190cm (6ft 3in).
    • There is a dropdown rail, however it is not 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 alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord 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/are non-infectious waste and general domestic waste disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • 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.
    • Mirrors are not 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 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 cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
    • There is a poor colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are bright.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
    • Baby change facilities are located in the accessible toilet.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 90cm (2ft 11in).

Level Change (Accessible Toilet)

  • There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
  • The ramp or slope is located in front of the entrance.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • The ramp does not have handrails.
  • The width of the ramp/slope is 120cm (3ft 11in).

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 to the right as you enter.
    • The female toilet(s) is/are approximately 9m (9yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is not level access to the female toilet(s).
    • Lighting levels are medium.
  • Access to Standard Male Toilet(s) View
    • The male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located to the right as you enter.
    • The male toilet(s) is/are approximately 12m (13yd 4in) from the main entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is not level access to the male toilet(s).
    • Lighting levels are medium.

Level Change (Standard Male Toilets)

  • There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
  • The ramp or slope is located in front of the entrance.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • The ramp does not have handrails.
  • The width of the ramp/slope is 98cm (3ft 3in).

Level Change (Standard Female Toilets)

  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
  • There is/are 1 step(s) to the area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
  • The step(s) is/are deep (18cm+).
  • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).

Additional Info

  • Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
  • Documents can be requested in Braille.
  • Documents can be requested in large print.
  • A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
  • An assistance dog toilet area can be provided onsite.
  • The assistance dog toilet area is located at the front of the venue.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.