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YMCA Walthamstow

642 Forest Road, Walthamstow, London, E17 3EF

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
    • Services and facilities available in the venue include: 150 rooms of standard accommodation, a café, a gym, a sports hall, fitness studios, standard changing areas, a crèche, toilets with adaptations and a shower with adaptations.
  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • There is step-free access via a slight ramp at the most accessible entrance.
    • The most accessible entrance is the main entrance.
    • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
    • The following areas have stepped access: the upper floors of the gym and the fitness studios on the first floor.
    • There are manual doors along circulation routes.
    • Access throughout may include narrow walkways.
    • Floors G to 7 can be accessed via a standard lift and stairs.
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • Seating is available.
    • There is a fixed hearing assistance system.
    • Additional equipment which can be borrowed or hired includes: A variety of adapted sports equipment including adapted badminton rackets, snooker bridge aids, polybats and sound balls.
    • The alternative formats documents can be provided in include: different languages (on request).
    • There is not a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
    • There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
    • The toilets with adaptations are located in the Health and Wellbeing area and in the café.
    • The transfer space varies between toilets with adaptations.
    • Female and male step-free standard toilet facilities are located in the female and male changing areas.
    • Gender neutral step-free standard toilet facilities are located in the café.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • Shower facilities with adaptations are located in the Health and Wellbeing area.
    • Standard shower facilities are located in the Health and Wellbeing area.

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located to the rear of the venue.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of concrete.
    • There are 3 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays have faded markings.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 225cm (width) x 480cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to one side but not at the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 125cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 30m from the main entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a slight slope.
    • This route has uneven surfaces and bollards.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for staff and visitors only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Points View
    • Electric Vehicle charging points are not available.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Main Entrance

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a slight gradient.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide.
  • There are no handrails for the ramp.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 108cm.
  • There are double manual doors.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • One of the doors was locked at the time of the survey.
  • The locked door can be opened on request.
  • The width of the opening is 77cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low colour contrast.

Reception

  • Location View
    • The reception is located ahead as you enter.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 4m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the reception has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access to the reception.
    • The height of the reception desk is 118cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
    • The reception has screens and patterned/distracting backgrounds which may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
    • There may be background noise in this area.
    • Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
    • Seating available in this area includes: armchairs and sofas.
    • There are security barriers which are operated by key card.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • Floors G to 7 have step-free access via lift.
    • The upper floors of the gym and the first floor fitness studios have stepped access only.
    • There is step-free level access throughout walkways.
  • Circulation View
    • There are manual doors along circulation routes.
    • Access throughout may include narrow walkways.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor varies between low and high along circulation routes.
    • Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
    • There may be background noise.
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • The colour, design and typeface of signage is consistent throughout.
    • Seating available in the walkways includes: chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests and sofas.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.

Café

  • Location and Access View
    • The café is located to the left as you enter the main entrance.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
    • There is step-free level access into this area.
    • There is a single manual door.
    • The door opens towards you.
    • The door requires effort to open.
    • There is a locked extension leaf.
    • The locked extension leaf can be opened on request.
    • The width of the opening is 83cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
    • The door has a medium colour contrast.
  • Order and Payment View
    • This area has a counter where food and drink can be ordered.
    • The service counter was surveyed.
    • The counter is located to the right as you enter the café.
    • There is step-free level access to the counter.
    • The height of the counter is 95cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
    • The payment machine is portable.
  • Service View
    • This area also has staff who can provide assistance with ordering.
    • Full table service is not available.
    • The following are available: drinking straws, takeaway cups and takeaway cutlery.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Seating Area View
    • The seating area is both inside and outside.
    • The outdoor seating area is partially covered.
    • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
    • There is some room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
    • The walls and floor colour contrast varies between low and high.
    • Some flooring is shiny.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests and armchairs.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables and coffee tables.
    • The surface height of some of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • The clear height under some of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • There may be background noise in this area.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Entrance (Health and Wellbeing)

  • This entrance is located to the right as you enter the main entrance.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 105cm.
  • There is a single manual door.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The door requires effort to open.
  • There is a locked extension leaf.
  • The locked extension leaf can be opened on request.
  • The width of the opening is 85cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a medium colour contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 108cm.

Changing Area

  • Changing Area View
    • The male changing area was surveyed.
    • The changing area surveyed is located to the right side of the Health and Wellbeing area.
    • The distance from the Health and Wellbeing entrance is 10m.
    • The most accessible route to the changing area has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
    • This route has narrow walkways.
    • There is step-free level access into the changing area.
    • There is a single manual door.
    • The door opens away from you.
    • The door requires effort to open.
    • The width of the opening is 75cm.
    • The door has a high colour contrast.
    • Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
    • Facilities in this area include: changing cubicles, toilets, showers, a changing bench and lockers.
    • There are lockers at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is step-free level access to the toilet facilities.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are not available.
    • Hand washing facilities include: a wash basin and a wall mounted soap dispenser.
    • The wash basin has a push tap.
  • Shower Facilities View
    • There is one step to the shower facilities.
    • There are no handrails for the step.
    • The step is unmarked.
    • The height of the step is not between 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step is 21cm.
    • There is a fixed shower head.
    • The shower controls are twist turn mixer.
    • There is no shower seat.
    • There are no grab rails for the shower.
    • There are no dropdown rails for the shower.

(Toilet with Adaptations and Accessible Shower) Health and Wellbeing - Right Hand Transfer

  • Location View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the left side of the Health and Wellbeing area.
    • The distance from the Health and Wellbeing entrance is 15m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
    • This route has narrow walkways.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high colour contrast.
    • The door requires effort to open.
    • The width of the opening is 80cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 252cm (width) x 268cm (depth).
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 178cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush for the toilet.
    • The flush is on the non-transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a dropdown grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 52cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 100cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The wash basin and tap can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 74cm from the floor.
    • There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high colour contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high colour contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 88cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm but it was tied up at the time of the survey.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a medium colour contrast.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
  • Shower Facilities View
    • There is a wheel in shower in the cubicle.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the shower.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm for the shower but it was tied up at the time of the survey.
    • There is an adjustable shower head which can also be detached.
    • The shower controls are twist/turn.
    • There is a flip-down shower seat.
    • The shower seat is 52cm from the floor.
    • There are no grab rails for the shower.
    • There are dropdown rails for the shower.
    • The dropdown rails for the shower have a high colour contrast.

Gym

  • The gym is located to the far side of the Health and Wellbeing area.
  • There is step-free level access into the gym.
  • There is a single manual door.
  • The door is permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 78cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a medium colour contrast.
  • There is not step-free level access throughout.
  • The following areas have stepped access: the treadmills, squat rack and leg machines.
  • There are no doors to open along circulation routes.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • The gym is staffed when open.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • The walls and floor colour contrast varies between low and high.
  • There is some clear manoeuvring space between equipment (150cm x 150cm).
  • Equipment includes free weights and arm cycles.
  • Seating available includes: benches.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is background noise in this room.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.

Stairs (to Studios 2 and 3)

  • The stairs are located ahead and to the right beyond the Health and Wellbeing entrance.
  • The ground and first floor can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The step markings are not clearly visible.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm-45cm.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Stairs (to Residents' Area)

  • The stairs are located ahead and to the right beyond the reception security barriers.
  • Floors G to 7 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There is a single manual door to access the stairwell.
  • There are handrails on both sides, which are within reach.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The step markings are not clearly visible.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 18cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm-45cm.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Lift (to Residents' Area)

  • The lift surveyed is located ahead and to the right beyond the reception security barriers.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 15m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • Standard Lift View
    • Floors G to 7 can be accessed by this lift.
    • The lift door has a high colour contrast.
    • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
    • The weight limit for the lift is 630kg.
    • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings.
    • The control buttons have a high colour contrast.
    • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The lift door opening width is 77cm.
    • The internal dimensions of the lift are 105cm (width) x 135cm (depth).
    • The internal lift control buttons have tactile and Braille markings.
    • The control buttons have a high colour contrast.
    • The majority of the internal controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • Internally the lift has: a visual floor indicator, an intercom hearing assistance system and a mirror to aid reversing.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.