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Harwich Library

Upper Kingsway, Harwich, CO12 3JT

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Access Guide

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Overview (Harwich Library)

Parking

  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
  • Public Parking View
    • On-street designated Blue Badge parking and standard parking is available.
    • The on-street designated Blue Badge parking bays are located on Milton Road.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked and signposted.
    • There is a public car park located off Orwell Road.
    • The name of the car park is Orwell Place Car Park.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available in the car park.
    • Electric vehicle charging points are available in the car park.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located at the front of the library, on Kingsway.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There are double automatic doors.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 216cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low colour contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors.
  • The doors are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 215cm.
  • The doors have a low colour contrast.

Reception

  • Location View
    • The reception is located diagonally to the left as you enter the library.
    • The distance from the entrance is 7m.
  • 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 76cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
    • The reception has patterned/distracting backgrounds which may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • 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: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step-free access between floors via platform lift.
    • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • Circulation View
    • There is a manual door along one of the circulation routes.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the walls and floor along circulation routes.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise.
    • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
    • Seating available in the walkways includes: chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests, armchairs, sofas and riser recliner chairs.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Library

  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
  • Seating available in this library includes: chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests, armchairs, sofas and riser recliner chairs.
  • Some seating is fixed.
  • Furniture available in the library includes: tables, coffee tables, desks and booths.
  • Some tables are fixed.
  • The surface height of some of the tables/desks is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear height under some of the tables/desks is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • The height of the touchscreen display ranges from 100cm to 122cm from the floor.
  • This library is able to provide material in the following formats: large print.
  • Auxiliary aids available in this library include: ergonomic chairs, high visibility/contrast keyboards and headsets.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located immediately to the left of the library entrance.
  • The distance from the entrance is 3m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • This lift is an enclosed platform lift.
  • Enclosed Platform Lift View
    • The ground floor and first floor can be accessed by this lift.
    • The lift door has a low 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 500kg.
    • The external lift control buttons have tactile and Braille markings.
    • The control buttons have a medium colour contrast.
    • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The lift door opening width is 89cm.
    • The internal dimensions of the lift are 108cm (width) x 139cm (depth).
    • The internal lift control buttons have tactile and Braille markings.
    • The control buttons have a medium colour contrast.
    • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The button needs to be pressed constantly when in use.
    • The lift is slow moving.
    • Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Stairs

  • The stairs are located immediately to the left as you enter the library, between the first and second sets of doors at the entrance.
  • The ground floor and first floor can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are double manual doors 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 steps are clearly marked.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm-45cm.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Room (Classroom/Event Space - First Floor)

  • The room is located on the first floor, along the corridor and on the right as you exit the lift.
  • The distance from the lift is 17m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There is a manual door along the most accessible route.
  • There is no signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is a key pad at a height of 80cm.
  • There is a single manual door.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The door requires effort to open.
  • The width of the opening is 81cm.
  • The door has a high colour contrast.
  • There is step-free level access throughout.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
  • Seating available in this room includes: chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in this room includes: desks.
  • None of the desks are fixed.
  • The surface height of the tables/desks is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear height under the tables/desks is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Additional facilities/services include: a flashing fire alarm and a television with subtitles.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this room.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • Lighting levels are adjustable.
  • There are two rooms of this type adjacent to each other, both of which have very similar specifications.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - No Transfer Space)

  • Location View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the rear right of the library, on the ground floor.
    • The distance from the entrance is 27m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • Doors are held open along the most accessible route.
    • This route has narrow walkways and narrow openings.
  • 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 is easy to open.
    • The width of the opening is 87cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
    • 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 246cm (width) x 177cm (depth).
    • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
    • There is not a lateral transfer space next to the toilet.
    • There is a push button flush for the toilet.
    • The flush is on top of the cistern.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the right as you face the toilet.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The vertical grab rails have a high colour contrast.
    • There is a dropdown grab rail on the left as you face the toilet.
    • The dropdown grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a medium colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 108cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The wash basin and tap cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 71cm 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 cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low colour contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 107cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a medium colour contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 108cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a medium colour contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 82cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin, a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 83cm.
    • The walls and floor have a medium colour contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (First Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the first floor, along the corridor and on the right as you exit the lift.
    • The distance from the lift is 23m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is a manual door along the most accessible route.
  • 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 is easy to open.
    • The width of the opening is 79cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
    • Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high colour contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 171cm (width) x 226cm (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 113cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush for the toilet.
    • The flush is on the 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 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a low colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 104cm 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 cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low colour contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 120cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high colour contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 87cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a pedal bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.