Access Guide
Introduction
- Services / facilities within the building include Council and Social Services offices and meeting rooms.
- Essex Government link (new tab) - click here.
Location
- There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
- The nearest National Rail station is Harlow.
Opening Times
- Monday 09:00 - 17:30.
- Tuesday 09:00 - 17:30.
- Wednesday 09:00 - 17:30.
- Thursday 09:00 - 17:30.
- Friday 09:00 - 16:30.
- Saturday Closed.
- Sunday Closed.
Parking (Staff and Blue Badge Only)
- The venue does have its own car park.
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Venue Car Park
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- Parking is free for all users.
- Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
- The car park is located at the rear of the building.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders cannot be booked in advance.
- There is/are 8 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
- The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 230cm x 460cm (7ft 7in x 15ft 1in).
- The nearest Blue Badge bay is 20m (21yd 2ft) from the rear entrance.
- The furthest Blue Badge bay is 40m (43yd 2ft) from the rear 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 and block paving.
- 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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Public Car Parks
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- There is not a/are not Blue Badge parking bay(s) available within the car park.
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Comments
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- The car park is staff only but disabled visitors can utilise the rear car park.
- There is an intercom located at 90cm that communicates with the reception who will open the automatic barrier to give access.
- The car park is staff only but disabled visitors can utilise the rear car park.
Entrance (Front Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
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Entrance
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- There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is not an intercom.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The width of the door opening is 106cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located in front of, and to the left and right of the building.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
Entrance (Rear Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the building.
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Entrance
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- There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is an intercom.
- The height of the intercom is 106cm (3ft 6in).
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
- The width of the door opening is 86cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located leading from the car park to the rear entrance.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
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Comments
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- There is an exit button located at 96cm to the right of the exit doors.
Reception
- The desk/counter is 3m (3yd 10in) from the front entrance.
- There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
- The desk/counter is high (110cm+).
- The desk/counter has a low (76cm or lower) section.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The type of system is a fixed loop.
- The hearing assistance system is signed.
- Staff are trained to use the system.
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Comments
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- There are chairs and sofas with arms on both sides located in the reception area.
Meeting Room 3 Ground Floor
- The meeting room has an outwardly opening door that is 72cm wide.
- There is a table that is 70cm high and there are chairs with no arms.
- There are 4 meeting rooms on the ground floor.
Inside Access
- There is level access to the service(s).
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- This venue does not play background music.
- Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
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Comments
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- There are automatic doors that open towards you for access to the meeting rooms opposite reception. These doors measure 132cm.
- There is an exit button located on the first floor to access the lift lobby.
- There are automatic doors that open towards you for access to the meeting rooms opposite reception. These doors measure 132cm.
Lift
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located after the entrance at the rear of the building.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are B, G, 1, 2.
- Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
- There are manual, double doors which are easy to open to access the lift lobby on the ground floor and on the first floor.
- The lift is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the rear entrance.
- Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The clear door width is 80cm (2ft 7in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 108cm x 140cm (3ft 7in x 4ft 7in).
- There are not 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 controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
- The lift does have Braille markings.
- The lift does have tactile markings.
- The lighting level in the lift is low to moderate.
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Comments
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- Staff need to accompany visitors as the doors to the lift and stairs are accessed by staff fobs.
- There are 2 identical lifts located next to each other.
- Staff need to accompany visitors as the doors to the lift and stairs are accessed by staff fobs.
Other Floors
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Steps
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- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1, 2.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- The steps are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
- The steps do have handrails.
- The steps have a handrail on both sides.
- There is a landing.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
Large Conference Room First Floor
- The Conference room is accessed via an inwardly opening door that is 75cm wide.
- The room has tables that are 72cm high and chairs with no arms.
- There is a wall mounted computer screen.
- There are multiple meeting and conference rooms located on the first floor.
Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor Right Hand Transfer)
- Accessible toilet facilities are available.
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Location and Access
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- There is Braille, tactile, pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 24m (26yd 9in) from the reception.
- This accessible toilet is located at the rear of the building on the ground floor.
- There is 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 not required for the accessible toilet.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 88cm (2ft 11in).
- The door may be difficult to open.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 140cm x 200cm (4ft 7in x 6ft 7in).
- 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 right.
- The lateral transfer space is 78cm (2ft 7in).
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- There is a flush 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 fully functional.
- Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
- There is a/are sanitary and non-infectious waste disposal units.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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Position of Fixtures
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- 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 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 a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer requires hands to be inserted into the top.
- The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- There is not a towel dispenser.
- 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 external door and wall.
- There is a high visual contrast between the internal door and wall.
- There is a high colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall.
- There is a high colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
- There is a high colour contrast between the walls and floor.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
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Baby Change Facilities
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- Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
- Baby change facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
- The height of the baby change table once extended is 93cm (3ft 1in).
Toilet with Adaptations (First Floor Right Hand Transfer)
- Accessible toilet facilities are available.
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Location and Access
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- There is Braille, tactile, pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the lift.
- This accessible toilet is located opposite the lift on the first floor.
- There is 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 not required for the accessible toilet.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 86cm (2ft 10in).
- The door may be difficult to open.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 126cm x 200cm (4ft 2in x 6ft 7in).
- 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 right.
- The lateral transfer space is 79cm (2ft 7in).
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- There is a flush 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 fully functional.
- Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
- There is a/are sanitary and non-infectious waste disposal units.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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Position of Fixtures
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- 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 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 a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer requires hands to be inserted into the top.
- The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- There is not a towel dispenser.
- 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 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 external door and wall.
- There is a high visual contrast between the internal door and wall.
- There is a high colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall.
- There is a low colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
- There is a high colour contrast between the walls and floor.
- The lighting levels are good.
Standard Toilet(s) (Ground Floor)
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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 on the ground floor to the rear of reception.
- The female and male toilets are approximately 25m (27yd 1ft) from the reception.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the female and male toilets.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle with wall mounted grab rails is available.
- Lighting levels in the female and male toilets are good.
Standard Toilet(s) (First Floor)
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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 on the first floor.
- The female and male toilets are approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the lift.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the female and male toilets.
- This is by lift.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle with wall mounted grab rails is available.
- Lighting levels in the female and male toilets are moderate to good.
Additional Info
- Documents can be requested in large print.
- A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
- A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
- This service cannot be requested.
- Home visits / services are not available.
