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Information, Advice and Support - Kent

Shepway Centre, Oxford Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 8AW

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Access Guide

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Getting Here

Getting Help and Assistance

  • Shepway Centre EIS please click here (new tab).
  • There is not a member of staff available for help and assistance.
  • There is not a member of staff trained in British Sign Language.
  • British Sign Language interpreters cannot be provided on request.
  • The alternative formats documents can be provided in include; Braille on request, large print on request, Makaton on request, different languages on request and audio on request.
  • There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area at the venue/nearby.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are not available.
  • There are not mobility aids available.

Parking

  • The venue has shared parking facilities.
  • The venue shares another venues parking facilities.
  • Parking View
    • The main car park is shared with the coroner's court and the bungalow.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park does not have a barrier control system.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are signposted and have markings which are faded.
    • There is/are 1 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 240cm x 480cm.
    • There is not a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
    • Clearly marked/signposted parent and child parking bays are not available.
    • All parking spaces are provided on a first come first served basis.
    • There is an overflow car park for staff and visitors.
    • The overflow car park is located to the left of the EIS Building.
  • Paying View
    • There are no parking charges for the car park.
    • Parking is free for visitors of the venue.
  • Access from the Car Park View
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user unaided.
    • The entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
    • The surface on the approach to the entrance is tarmac and block paving.
    • There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
  • Drop-off Point(s) View
    • There is not a/are not clearly marked drop-off point(s).

Parking (Bungalow)

  • The venue does have its own parking facilities.
  • Parking View
    • The car parking facilities are for Blue Badge holders only.
    • The car park is located to the right-hand side of the bungalow.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park does not have a barrier control system.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) markings are faded.
    • There is/are 1 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 240cm x 480cm.
    • There is not a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
    • Clearly marked/signposted parent and child parking bays are not available.
    • All parking spaces are provided on a first come first served basis.
    • There are additional car parks for staff and visitors.
    • The main car park is located opposite the bungalow.
  • Paying View
    • There are no parking charges for the car park.
    • Parking is free for visitors of the venue.
  • Access from the Car Park View
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user unaided.
    • The entrance is not clearly visible from the car park.
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is not clearly signposted.
    • The surface on the approach to the entrance is tarmac and block paving.
    • There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
  • Drop-off Point(s) View
    • There is not a/are not clearly marked drop-off point(s).
  • Shared Parking View
    • The venue shares a car park/parking facilities.
    • Clearly marked/signposted designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
    • Clearly marked/signposted parent and child parking bays are not available.
  • Comments View
    • There is only the 1 parking bay at this location.

Approach

  • Approach View
    • The surface of the approach is stone/concrete tiles and block paving.
    • The approach surface is uneven in places.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp with a very easy incline.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • The width of the ramp/slope is 140cm (4ft 7in).
  • Comments View
    • There is tactile paving at the bottom of both sides of the ramp.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the venue.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance sign says 'Information, Advice and Support - Kent'.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • There is a dark mat or floor marking at this entrance that might be perceived as a hole.
    • The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • 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.

Room(s) (Meeting Room)

  • Access View
    • The room surveyed was Meeting Room - Bungalow.
    • Meeting Room - Bungalow is located to the left as you enter the main entrance.
    • There is not wayfinding signage on route to the room(s).
    • Signage for the room(s) is not available in upper and lower case lettering, that is clearly visible.
    • The corridor/walkway outside the room(s) is sufficiently wide enough (150cm+) to allow wheelchair users to pass.
    • The colour contrast between the external door and wall is low.
    • The colour contrast between the internal door and wall is low.
    • There is step-free access into the room(s).
  • Room Details View
    • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) for the room(s) is/are not push pad activated.
    • The door(s) is/are single.
    • The door opening width(s) is/are 75cm+ for the room(s).
    • The door has a closer and maybe difficult for some to open.
    • Light switches are between 75cm and 120cm (4ft) from floor level.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system for the room(s).
    • This room has a whiteboard.
    • There is not a visual fire alarm beacon in the room(s).
    • There is not fixed furniture within the room(s).
    • The clear floor space beneath tables in the room(s) is 70cm.
    • There is not sufficient space for a wheelchair user to turn within the room.
    • Furniture cannot be reconfigured to allow a turning space for wheelchair users.
    • A height adjustable table/bench is not available.
    • There are no chairs with armrests on both sides within the room(s).
    • The type of flooring in the room(s) is carpet.
    • Floor coverings in the room(s) are even with no trip hazards.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and floor is high.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.

Room(s) (Drop-in Room)

  • Access View
    • The room surveyed was Drop-in room.
    • Drop-in room is located to the far right as you enter the main entrance.
    • There is not wayfinding signage on route to the room(s).
    • Signage for the room(s) is available in upper and lower case lettering, that is clearly visible.
    • There is written signage for the room, in upper and lower case lettering, that is clearly visible.
    • The corridor/walkway outside the room(s) is not sufficiently wide enough (150cm+) to allow wheelchair users to pass.
    • The colour contrast between the external door and wall is low.
    • The colour contrast between the internal door and wall is low.
    • There is step-free access into the room(s).
  • Room Details View
    • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) for the room(s) is/are not push pad activated.
    • The door(s) is/are single.
    • The door opening width(s) is/are 75cm+ for the room(s).
    • The door has a closer and maybe difficult for some to open.
    • Light switches are between 75cm and 120cm (4ft) from floor level.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system for the room(s).
    • This room has a whiteboard.
    • There is not a visual fire alarm beacon in the room(s).
    • There is not fixed furniture within the room(s).
    • The clear floor space beneath tables in the room(s) ranges between 35cm and 70cm.
    • There is not sufficient space for a wheelchair user to turn within the room.
    • Furniture can be reconfigured to allow a turning space for wheelchair users.
    • A height adjustable table/bench is not available.
    • There are some chairs with armrests on both sides within the room(s).
    • The type of flooring in the room(s) is carpet.
    • Floor coverings in the room(s) are even with no trip hazards.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and floor is high.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.

Kitchen

  • The kitchen is located ahead as you enter.
  • There is step-free access to the kitchen.
  • There is a/are door(s) to access the kitchen.
  • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is/are not push pad activated.
  • The door(s) is/are single width.
  • The door has a closer and maybe difficult for some to open.
  • The width of the door opening is 80cm.
  • There is not ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre within the kitchen.
  • The height of the work surfaces are 90cm (2ft 11in).
  • There is not a work surface with a clear knee recess.
  • There is not a height adjustable work surface.
  • The type of flooring in this area is laminate.
  • There are chairs without armrests within the kitchen.
  • Chairs are not permanently fixed.
  • Vending machines are not available.
  • Takeaway cups are not available.
  • Drinking straws are not available.
  • Lighting levels are moderate to good.

Toilet with Adaptations

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) for public use.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located to the right of the kitchen.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 4m (4yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is light.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 95cm.
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 170cm x 235cm (5ft 7in x 7ft 9in).
    • The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The toilet has a non-slip floor.
    • The height of the light switch/pull cord is 135cm from floor level.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 90cm (2ft 11in).
    • The transfer space is obstructed by toilet rolls and a female sanitary bin.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • There is a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are female sanitary and general domestic waste disposal units.
    • There is a/are general domestic waste and female sanitary disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on the left.
    • There is not 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.
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • There is not a shelf next to the toilet.
    • The toilet has a cistern.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 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).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 95cm (3ft 1in).
    • 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).
    • The height of the wash basin is 72cm (2ft 4in).
    • There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • Taps have clear markings to indicate hot and cold settings.
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 90cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 90cm (2ft 11in).
    • There is not a hand dryer.
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is low.
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is low.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is high.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is high.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is high.
    • The lighting levels are good.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are not available.

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